Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger

i like this book. and i think i am now a fan of Lauren Weisberger.
her books are for ladies. yes. i don't recommend this much to gents. well, maybe if you guys somehow wants to know how a Y-chromosome human thinks. you can get some idea to her books. :)

The Devil Wears Prada talks much about fashion and fame. designer clothes, shoes, accessories, in short: how a sophisticated lady looks like. but i am not like that. i mean, i don't enjoy much about that stuff. so when i read the book, it is like just a 6 for me if i will rank it 1-10 10 as the highest.

Pause.
Stop right here if you have plan to read this book Everyone Worth Knowing or currently reading it. spoilers ahead. you've been warned.

here's some points why i enjoyed reading this book:

1. romance. i love how Lauren "handles" romance on her books. mushy, yes, but you won't expect "and they live happily ever after" ending like Stephenie Meyer did to Twilight series. in fact, in The Devil Wears Prada, Andrea and her boyfriend split. and at the end of the book, they are having a meal catching up with one another as friends. here in Everybody Worth Knowing, Bette and Sammy somehow in cool-off status due to Sammy's busyness on his newly started restaurant. they don't have any communication for months but at the end of the book, Sammy along with everyone important to Bette's life sets up a surprise birthday party for her.

what am i saying? both books did not end up the couple still together but there's a hope of reconciliation or to continue the relationship. Lauren's books are not the typical romance books you will read.

2. dreams. pursuing what you really want to do with your life. live a life not just merely surviving. with all honesty, when i read the first quote below (and the entire conversation on the book), it made me think really hard and that's the reason why i re-started this blog. i love to read books.

3. party = job. to party, dance, get drunk, meet celebrities, be sent to other country and live a VIP life and get paid as your job? for real?! is this really happening to real world? don't know. not sure. but that's Bette's job in this book after she quits as a bank employee.

some quotes/lines i like:

"Cute, very cute. It's nothing against banking, darling, I think you know that. It's a fine, respectable career -- I'd rather see you doing that than any of those hippie-dippy-save-the-world jobs your parents would recommend -- but you just seem so young to lock yourself into something so boring. You should be out there meeting people, going to parties, enjoying being young and single in New York not tied down to a desk in a bank. What do you want to do?" - Will talking to Bette

"in acceptance there is peace" - printed not sure if on a shirt or apron

"you quit your job. congratulations! welcome to the wonderful world of adult irresponsibility. things don't always go according to plan, you know." - Will talking to Bette

"if patience was what it took, then patience was what i had." - Bette

xoxo

Lady Gaga issue

ok, this one is for Christians/Catholics (as i am not very aware for Muslim beliefs).


tomorrow and next day (May 21-22, 2012) will be Lady Gaga's concert here in Manila. we already heard the petitions to stop this. merely because of "demonic" lyrics from her songs and the "immorality" she's showing through her outfits, dance steps, and her way of life.


well, as a Christian, my take here is: let's keep things simple and peaceful.

i believe God gave us all free will and wisdom. Christian people: if you think Lady Gaga's songs are "demonic" and it somehow stumbles you as a person, simply avoid her songs. don't sing it. don't even listen it to. meaning, don't download her songs, don't buy her albums, don't watch her videos, don't follow her on twitter. AVOID HER BY ALL MEANS.


ok, i can hear and feel you. of course we are concern with our youths who we believe are more "influenced" by Lady Gaga. you really are concern? go and disciple them! go to campuses and share the gospel of God. that's why we have church. that's why we are here as Christians. do you feel "threaten" that Lady Gaga can influence them more than Bible?


please don't get me wrong. i am not pro or anti Lady Gaga but i think we are being biased. why isolate her? yes, we know her and her songs. but does anyone checked the lyrics and songs of other artists that performed here in Manila? did we checked their "lifestyles" and their backgrounds before we allow them to perform here? why are we allowing tv channels, series and movies that we think promotes sex, violence and other "demonic" stuff?


personally speaking, i won't recommend though for youth/kids to listen to her songs and watch her videos. honestly, i even told my nieces to stop watching music channels because i believe it won't give any good for them. (thank God they obeyed).


there's a post in twitter that i liked. says: "Just enjoy Lady Gaga, the artist. You're giving the devil too much credit." - @HecklerForever


everyone know this verse, now it's up for you to decide if you're going to Lady Gaga's concert tomorrow.
"Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive." - 1 Corinthians 10:23


at the end of the day, what matters most is your relationship with God. let His wisdom guide every decision you will make. pray and be in faith. God bless us all!


xoxo

mr. 21

when i started to watch NBA, there's one player that caught my attention and from that day on started to be a fan of Timothy Theodore Duncan. Tim. Timmy. TD. The Big Fundamental.

Timmy was not born as a basketball player. he started as a swimmer. it was his goal when he's young to be an olympic swimmer. but because of a hurricane that destoyed the swimming pool in their area, he started to play ball. and reached his goal to be an olympic player. not as a swimmer but as a basketball player.

simplicity. not a flashy or a high flyer player but he is effective. and excels.
humility. soft spoken and never brags about himself.
consistency. his stats says it all.
loyalty. from rookie until i think he retires, he'll stay to only one team: San Antonio Spurs.
leadership. just look at Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. the great trio in NBA history. see how Timmy encourage, teach, cheer his teammates.

in NBA... this is who Timmy is:

• 1st round pick


• Rookie of the Year


• 13 times NBA All Star (yes, 13 times)


• 1 All Star game MVP


• 9 times All-NBA first team


• 3 times All-NBA second team


• 8 times All-Defensive first team


• 5 times All-Defensive second team


• 2 season MVP (back to back)li>
  3 Finals MVP
  
• 4 championship rings

xoxo

F.A.Q. week 2 - How Do I Know God's Will?

preached by Ptr. Gilbert Foliente (senior pastor of Victory Ubelt)

F.A.Q. stands for Frequently Asked Questions. and based on the survey pastors made what topic does members of Victory wants to tackle with, it is God's Will that ranked 1. so this series is about discovering God's Will over our lives. here's some notes on the week 2 of the series.

"How Do I Know God's Will?" or "How Do I Know What God Wants For My Life?"
but the more important question is "WHY Do I Need To Know God's Will?"

"Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do." - Ephesians 5:15-17 CEV

ways God can sometimes reveal His will:
1. gifts and talents - it's pretty obvious what or where you're good at
2. circumstances - open doors given or you encountered
3. prophesy
4. dreams - though this is very rare

but since sometimes, things are subjective. so we can test the "will" of God given to us:

1. SPIRIT OF GOD

"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." - John 10:4 NIV

**God is a communicative God. He loves to talk to us. But the problem is most of the time we are not listening to Him.

**God comes (speaks) through the Holy Spirit.

"While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."" - Acts 13:2 NIV

**Learn to live a spirit led life.

2. GOD'S WORD (Bible)
**God's will is backed up by God's Word.

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." - Psalm 119:105 NIV

3. GOD'S PEOPLE

"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice." - Proverbs 12:15 NIV

**Everything looks good to us until somebody corrects us. everyone have blind spots. we all need godly advice/corrections.

**Problem is, we're not willing to follow.

**God does not give us direction just for our consideration but for our participation. He wants us to do it when He reveals it to us.

**Life is a journey. Every decision is like a stepping stone.
**will you follow God's will or will you follow your own will?

"Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:6 NLT

**consequences are: injury/death or fulfilling the destiny. your choice.

"Don't be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do." - Ephesians 5:17 CEV

**God reveals His will for our lives so we can make wise decisions that will eventually lead you to your destination.

"A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?" - Proverbs 20:24 NIV


**sometimes you feel like you are not stepping forward but backwards. you feel "defeated". we need to understand that sometimes, that step backwards will lead you to right steps. do not be discourage and continue to seek His will. continue to obey.


listen the preachings here: podcast
verses are from Biblegateway


xoxo

Avengers: world's mightiest heroes

rate 1-10, 10 as the highest. mine is.... 15!!!!

me and my brothers grew up watching (sometimes reading comics) marvel characters. we are indeed marvel fans. from xmen to fantastic four to avengers and other individual characters. so you can imagine how excited i am to watch this movie.

thank goodness, i am so happy and satisfied with it. action packed and at the same time comedy. i love the reactions of the viewers on the cinema when i first watched it (yes, i watched it twice).

each character have their own "attitude" issues. LOL. their arrogance and at the same time their heart to help others and be a "team" even if they don't want to work with each other. hahaha...

i love them all but Thor leaped a few inch for me. one, he's definitely.... hot! two, Chris Hemsworth perfectly represents the role of Thor. his built and his acting is superb.

hmmm... about Capt. America... i like Chris Evans too but i don't think he represents the comic Capt. America to the movie, both in the Capt. America solo movie and here in Avengers. i can say Chris Evans is perfect for his role as Human Torch in Fantastic Four, but not as Steve Rogers. if i can suggest someone i'll say Josh Duhamel. don't get me wrong, Chris Evans is a great actor and he did great in Avengers and Capt. America. just a piece of opinion, hope he sticked with his Human Torch role.

there are lots of lines/scenes i laughed and really love. here are some:

Agent Phil Coulson: [dying] You're gonna lose.
Loki: [sneering] Am I?
Agent Phil Coulson: It's in your nature.
__________
Natasha Romanoff: [discussing of attacking Loki] But he's a god!
Steve Rogers: Ma'am, there's only one God, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that.
__________
Bruce Banner: I don't think we should be focusing on Loki. That guy's brain is a bag full of cats. You can smell crazy on him.
Thor: I care how you speak. Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard. And he is my brother.
Natasha Romanoff: He killed eighty people in two days.
Thor: He's adopted.
__________
Loki: [Hulk throws Loki through a window into the Stark Tower penthouse] ENOUGH! You are, all of you, beneath me. I am a god you dull creature, and I will not be bullied by....
The Hulk: [Hulk grabs Loki by the legs and smashes him against the floor repeatedly] Puny god.
__________
Steve Rogers: Big man in a suit of armour. Take that off, what are you?
Tony Stark: Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.

source

Moral Lesson: even how much you love and like the movie, nothing beats the first time you seen it. so i suggest, give full attention and enjoy the movie 100% when you watch it and don't repeat the movie at your own expense (if its free then Go for it).


xoxo

fall of Mavs

defending champs. entered playoffs number 7th in standings. fall first round. sweeped.

as a Mav fan, it hurts so bad to see your team in this scenario. yes, there's a reason to be broken hearted.

i am not good in numbers and i am not a basketball analyst so i'll give my opinion on what a regular fan sees.

this team is strong. and i mean it. with great players like Dirk Nowitski, Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Brandan Wright, Jason Terry, Delonte West and a very versatile athlete Shawn Marion (yes, i love this man), to name a few, this team can definitely defend their title.

so what went wrong?

i'll say... wrong decisions and unprofessionalism.

wrong decision to give up their last season's players like Tyson Chandler and JJ Barea.

unprofessionalism to Lamar Odom. yes, mr. Lamar, obviously Mavs needs you that's why they get you in to the team. and i believe Mavs Nation welcomed you. who would not? everyone knows your strength and that you can contribute to the team big. but you disappoint everyone BIG TIME.

watching Lamar's defense when he was still playing in Lakers, you could say that he and Chandler is almost equal. that's the reason (i think) why Mavs gamble to give up Chandler.

UNFORTUNATELY, Lamar's games to Dallas is unbelievably disappointing. watching him played in Mavs, you could honestly say "this is not Lamar Odom". maybe actions speaks really louder than words. he may not say it out loud but it is pretty obvious he doesn't want to play as a Mav. his attitude, his inconsistencies, and his unprofessionalism led him to D-League and eventually pulled him back to Mavs' lineup because they desperately need a help from him. but in the end, finally, mr. Lamar and Mavs part their ways. for good.

again, as a fan, i am not mad to Lamar Odom himself. i believe that as a person and as a player, everybody has a choice what jersey he want to wear, teammates he wants to play with, and team he wants to give his loyalty and dedication (right JET?) i just hoped mr. Lamar made it clear in the first place that Dallas Mavericks is not the team for him. in doing that, he might prevented hurting his name, his teammates, coaching staff, fans and the league itself. smh!


now Mavs, bring back Chandler. lol :) #mffl


xoxo

2012 NBA's Defensive Player of the Year

Top 10 finishers in Defensive Player of the Year voting:

1. T. Chandler
2. S. Ibaka
3. D. Howard
4. L. James
5. K. Garnett
6. T. Allen
7. A. Iguodala
8. S. Marion
9. L. Deng
10. J. Smith

WOW!!! SHAWN MARION RANKED 8TH?!!!!

i really can't believe this list. Tyson Chandler is deserving. no questions asked. but 'Trix on 8th?!! what stats these people based their votes? are they even watching Mavs' games? did they checked Kobe or Durant's stats everytime 'Trix guarded them? do they know that Marion can guard any position effectively? SMH!

sorry, i'm just sad and at the same time so disappointed on the outcome. really didn't expect this. i hope they'll take time to notice Shawn Marion.

'Trix, you have my support with or without that award, win or lose, healthy or injured, good or bad times. #ninjalove


source

xoxo