2013 in Books: Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

The premise of the story is all too familiar. Peter Pan, Tinkerbelle, Neverland. But whatever you know about Peter Pan (and all the versions of his story, especially the Disney one) will be deemed useless, because this book is nothing like the stories we have known since our childhood.

I remember one particular character from the Disney movie, the Indian princess, who's snotty and spoiled, also known as Tiger Lily. And I remember her having a crush on Peter Pan. I also remembered thinking "Eeew, why did you kiss Peter? He's with Wendy!" when she kissed him during the bonfire. But Disney Tiger Lily and the Tiger Lily in the book are two very different characters, and you must keep that in mind.

And also Tinkebelle, the fairy who is vindictive and vain, forget about that either, because in this novel, not only does she serves as the narrator, she is the balance between Tiger Lily and Peter.

Let me tell you about my favorite part - the ending. I've read is some reviews that said the ending is terrible. But I have to disagree. It is not what I wanted, but it doesn't mean that it isn't good. After getting to know Tiger Lily and Peter, after reading about their love story, their adventures, and their happiness, they don't end up together. I was like "Whuuut??!!" But I know, of course, it's for the best. Tiger Lily and Peter are just too similar, and Peter would want Tiger Lily to be just like him, but yet a little less brave and a little less bigger than him. Tiger Lily, on the hand, want to be bigger and braver than Peter, because that's what she thinks Peter wants her to be. So when Wendy came, someone who is exactly different from Tiger Lily and from him, Peter can't help but be charmed and fall in love. Then Tiger Lily also ended up with an opposite - Pine Sap. Pine Sap, who's quiet and smart. Pine Sap, who has always been there for Tiger Lily. Pine Sap, who built a house for her and who loves her as she is.

This goes to show that humans get attracted to someone who is completely their opposite, the yin and the yang.

Another thing that I like about the book is how it masterfully injects adult themes without it getting vulgar and obscene. It talked about rape, death, and torture. There is also the part on colonization, when the Englanders slowly influenced the Sky Eaters on Christianity, and how the indigenous quickly dropped their culture and adapted the Western way of life (Hmm..this sounds very familiar).

This book is a gem. It's sad that it's placed beside the endless campy young adult vampire and zombie novels. It's an injustice to how beautiful this is. But I guess it's also for the good. So that all the Tiger Lilies out there, the ones who are misunderstood, the ones who think they are not pretty enough to be a Wendy, the ones who are strong-willed and adventurous, may they pick up this book and be inspired by the life of Tiger Lily.

P.S.
This book is memorable also because it's the first one that I have read entirely on Aldiko. Whatta milestone!

Master of None

There are two things in life that I want to have but seem bleak as of now. One is a super fit body (notice that I used fit, not hot!) and an MA degree. The first one seems more palpable, since it requires less financial obligations and health hazards, while the other one is simply unattainable for now.

My boss have asked me the question countless of times. "When are you going to take your MA?". It's not even a question of whether I will or will not. She just conveniently assumed that I will.  And I do want to. But...it's not exactly simple. There are many (excuses) reasons as to why I can't get that MA degree. I know the pay off is good for me, but I think that the cons outweigh the pros. Or am I just overly rationalizing this?

1.  I don't have enough money for an MA education
While there may be many ways to work around this, such as student loans, scholarships, financial aids, or simple going to a more affordable university I think that I am a.) not qualified to get a student loan b.) not smart and hardworking enough to get and maintain a scholarship and c.) I'm too stubborn to go to a school that I'm not confident in. Many people have told me to just try out one of those three solutions, but I guess I have more buts, rather than guts.

2.  I don't know what degree to take
Geminis are known to be fickle-minded. I am a living testimony to that belief. I have too many options, and I'm too lazy to narrow them down. Choosing one among my options feels like Meryl Streep in Sophie's Choice, though I still don't have children, I could just imagine how hard it can be.

3.  I don't think I have the time and energy
A full-time job leaves not a lot of time for self-pampering and relaxation. Sure, there's the weekend to attend classes, but that's another major sacrifice. I hate the idea of waking up early for six days straight, then having to drag myself and face Metro Manila traffic, then sit on my butt for half a day. There's a gazillion of other fun things I could have done with that time. I could have slept for ten hours, have my nails done, eat a nice home-cooked meal, watch TV, surf the net, take a nap even if I just woke up, go out and watch a movie with Macmac, my boyfriend...and the list can go on and on and on...

And I have to teach and study? Teacher by day, student by night. I don't think I'm born for that kind of double life. For those who can, I salute you. But for those who can't (like me), I UNDERSTAND.

I once considered trying UP Open University and earn an MA degree in the comforts of my home and schedule. But I know there's a catch. It's either I won't learn anything, or there's too many work to be done. There are really no more shortcuts in this world.

4.  Monetary advancement is not that big
I work in a school. Schools are poor and teachers are more poor. Getting an MA won't necessarily make me a millionaire.

If there's a will there's a way. Kung ayaw may dahilan, kung gusto palaging merong paraan. I know someday, I would have to take up my MA. The ideal scenario really is to start now while I'm young and much more able to face the demands of graduate studies. But I simply don't want to take up MA just for the sake of it. Maybe someday, somehow, a beam of inspiration, dedication, and a pot of gold will get me there. But for now, I'm happy with what I have.

Last of the sem break week and my Youtube faves

Hey non-existent readers! Haha. It's a Friday, and I just realized that my last post was from the first day of sem break, and now it's already the last! How time flies. Before I went on break, I have a gazillion of to-do lists for work. Grades, lesson plans, handouts, vocabulary words (which I need for Monday, btw!) and a gazillion more things that a teacher needs to do. But instead, I literally, just bummed around the house the whole week.

Most of my week was consumed over youtube surfing and pinning on Pinterest. How productive! But hey, I'm on vacation, so I figured, why not do just that?!

I just want to share my most favorite people on Youtube. These people are my inspiration (meaning my girl crushes) when it comes to fashion, music, and fitness. Sometimes, all we need is a little bit of inspiration for motivation!

1. Cassey Ho of Blogilates.com

For great cardio (think HIIT workouts) and pilates, the go-to gal is definitely Cassey (wow, rhyming pa!). She also does some quick and easy healthy recipes, which is a bummer because most of the ingredients she uses are not available here in the Philippines. Though I don't do much of her Pop pilates moves because di ko pa keri ang pilates haha. What I get most of the time from Cassey are her Pop Kicks and her Pop Cardio  workouts, which can kill you afterwards! I guess my ultimate Cassey goal is to be able to do her pilates moves without seriously injuring myself!

2. Karena and Katrina of Toneitup.com

They workout in the beach, so doing the workout with them feels like I'm on the beach as well!

Don't they look amazing?! They have tons of workouts for every body part and every season in their website, and they even have a nutrition plan to help everyone lose weight. (You have to buy the nutrition plan, though) I love the fact that they seem so relatable to real women. Katrina (the blonde one) has lost 23 pounds in four months, thanks to working out and eating healthy. And they continue to inspire women everyday. They are living proofs that beach babes have all the fun.

Love those beachy hair waves.

3. Janice and Sonia of jayesslee

Nope, they're not fitness gurus. They're singers, really really good singers. I'm a big fan of these girls from down under (love their accent) because a.) I love their songs, b.) I love what they're wearing in all of their vids, c.) they have amazing hair. Talent, fashion sense, and hair. Three things that I wish I could have! Haha. my most favorite jayesslee cover would have to be Dare You to Move by Switchfoot. Runner up would be all their other covers!

All women in my list share one thing in common: They run their own empire. They are empowered, dedicated, talented. Beauty and brains. I wish I could be just a fraction on them in the very near future!

xo,
KC

Sem Break Day One

You have no idea how liberating it feels when I can strut around the house in the morning and see people get ready for work while I sit around and do nothing. Haha. The perks of sem break.

So, first official day of sem break was spent watching a local movie - A Secret Affair. And I swear, almost everyone who was in the cinema when we watched were senior citizens. Seriously haha. 

If I would be asked to describe the movie in word, it would be CONFUSED. A whole lot of the movie was confused. I was confused. It was very confusing! Why the hell did Anne's character ran away the night before her wedding? Why the hell did Derek and Andi's character did it in a construction site (seriously, eeww yun ha.)? Why the hell are they so damn rich? Why is Tim Yap there? Why do they keep on talking in English?! Di ba sila marunong mag-tagalog?? Pang-Oscars ba to? WHY IS JACKLYN JOSE'S LIPSTICK FUCHSIA PINK?!?

To watch a movie and have multitude of questions unanswered is not very satisfying. Mahirap mag-concentrate. I guess the biggest, and most confusing part of the movie was, trying to decide whether it's a drama or comedy. Sadly, the movie failed in both genres. It tried to pull off a No Other Woman with the plot and the script, but it also did things that I would see in a Nickelodeon teen series. Talking Facebook and Twitter pages? Uh, ICarly lang?

The movie had some good and redeeming qualities in fairness. I liked the caladryl part. "Para sa kati mo!" 

And bakit parang hindi ako sanay makita si  Jacklyn Jose na mayaman ang role? Para sakin siya pa rin si Nay Magda hahaha.

I also liked the glass symbolism. I just don't know if the writers explicitly put it or ako lang ang naka-isip nun ('cause I'm literary like that. Lol). Anton (Derek) and Sam (Andi) had a mahalay scene in Anton's condo, on top of the glass dining table. And their romp left a small crack on the corner. Rafi (Anne) noticed it, and said something to this effect "Dapat mapalitan na 'to. Malas ang basag na glass sa bahay." (she said it in conyo talk, of course). Then, in that very awkward confrontation scene, Sam told Rafi why the glass has basag on it. And in very dramatic sloooow mooow, Rafi made sira the glass with this metal fruit bowl. 

See, the glass represents the relationship between Anton and Rafi. Then Sam symbolizes the basag on the glass. So no matter how Anton and Rafi fix their relationship, there will always be basag on it. So she made sira na lang the glass to free herself from the basag. 

I know. I should be a movie critic or something. Hahaha. I guess this is the effect of taking up literary criticism classes before. I-analyze ba?!

xo,

KC

I wonder when will the next movie come out?! (I did not make this!)

That Elusive Red Lipstick and Other Beauty Woes

I love browsing through beauty and fashion blogs as much as I love reading teacher stuff blogs. Hence, I feel so inspired to RANT about my beauty woes haha!

I'm not much of a make-up person and most of the make-up that I have are given for free, so I end up having no choice but to use them kasi sayang naman. Though I must admit that my make-up skills have improved over the years, thanks to countless hours of reading magazines and beauty and fashion blogs (for pleasure and inspiration haha!). But I'm no make-up enthusiast as well...how I wish haha!

One of my most favorite look is the pale face and red lips look. The one Anne Curtis can pull of very effortlessly. I'm no Anne Curtis, but I often see the look on other girls. Therefore, my hunt for that perfect shade of red began. Since I am very kuripot, and not used to buying lipstick, I searched for that perfect shade of red in my...mom's make-up stash! There I found VMV Lipstick in Feather Boa. It has a matte finish has that old Hollywood red to it.I immediately fell in love and stole it from the drawer, which by the way she has not noticed ever since. My only problem with this is that due to my limited make-up skills, I just can't seem to put it on smoothly and evenly. I always end up looking like a clown :( And it has a FLAT edge. Most of the lipsticks that I use have that curved end, but this has a very flat edge that makes it 1000x hard for me to pull off.

I feel so inggit whenever I read through these blogs when I see them all made up and wearing nice clothes. Sadly, most teachers have very limited options fashion and beauty-wise. One, we have to wear uniforms. Lucky for you if you go to work in your casual clothes, so don't ever complain about the dress code! I keep on asking myself "Bakit yung nagtatrabaho sa bangko, kahit naka-uniform, and ganda?" because it's true. For me, however, I look, well, like a plain teacher. So, for my next SY's resolution -- NO MORE UNIFORM! Two, we barely have time to put on decent make-up. And when I say decent make-up, I mean, from foundation, down to mascara. In my case, I have to wake-up waaay early, then eat breakfast, then off to class! No time for anything kikay. But I guess the attempt will be futile anyways. We are kinda EXPECTED to look like that.

So to end this post, keep in mind that behind a plain and simple teacher, is a girl who just wants to have time to put on that red lipstick and some mascara.




xo,
KC

Bookworm Post

So far I've been blogging about teaching, but not so much on the reading aspect. It's a shame, really, since the name of this blog is READ, teach, blog. That's why, this is my long overdue -- Bookworm Post!

I'm currently reading Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterso. I stumbled upon this book during one of my many library getaways (whenever I'm feeling sleepy in the faculty room, I go to my happy place hihi). I was supposed to borrow Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen after watching the last parts of the movie version on HBO. But apparently, someone beat me to it. So, for my library sojourn not to be wasted, I decided to look around and see what I can borrow. And then I saw Jacob... I looked at the cover (which is great, in a vague and thought-provoking way), read the summary, and was convinced that it will be good read. And besides, no one else had borrowed it. I get some sort of satisfaction when my name is the first one on the borrower's card.

Jacob Have I Loved is the story of Sara Louise and her hatred and anguish against her seemingly perfect twin sister, Caroline. Set in the Pre-WWII and many years after it in a tiny island off of Chesapeake Bay (which I never heard of, so I have to Google it), it shows how Sara Louise or 'Wheeze' as her sister nicknamed her, dealt with having a perfect sister. Caroline is delicate and charming, while Wheeze is the exact opposite, crabbing and catching oysters with the men in the island.

I like most parts of the book, especially when Wheeze had to deal with her feelings with the Captain, an elderly recluse of the island. But what I like the most is how Paterson made you feel exactly how Wheeze felt as you read her thoughts. It's like you're going through the events with her as it is happening.

It's a great book -- BUT! I haven't finished reading it yet haha. I'm already on the last chapters and I am determined to finish it tonight...because I borrowed a new book :))

I've been wanting to read The Royal Diaries ever since I saw the girls reading it. I know, it's a little teeny-bopper but I think it's really cool to read historical fiction. Yes, I am a geek. Why didn't they publish this when I was ten years old?! Anyway, I borrowed the one about Queen Victoria. It seems interesting. It has pictures and facts at the end of the novel. I'll probably read it over the sem break (happy dance...).

xo,

KC

A Teachers' Day Post

To all my former teachers, to my friends from college who eventually went on to pursue this career, to my co-teachers, to my relatives who are also teachers,  and to all the teachers everywhere, happy teachers' day :)

Back in college, people would get surprised when I tell them that I'm taking up Education. And I secretly felt a little happy about the shocked expression on their faces. Why? Because I was able to break a stereotype. That not all teachers are old and boring. That not all teachers are horrible, strict, and uptight. I was able to win a tiny battle for teachers all over the world. One notion proved wrong, one mind became enlightened.

When I was working for a BPO company, people would always ask me why I wanted to be a teacher. There's no money in teaching. Teachers become matandang dalaga. Teachers have zero social life. I would just smile and say, "Teachers are almost never unemployed. What about you?". Again, another small victory for me. Yes, it's true. There's never a teacher millionaire. Or a teacher CEO. And yes, there are many teachers who end up old maids, probably because they really don't have much of a wild social life. But why is that? Because teachers are dedicated. No matter how many times they have thrown the towel and waved the white flag, they never seem to just quit. We can't just go AWOL. Even resigning is hard to do.

Now that I have been a teacher for three years (accomplishment!), I realized that there must be some truth to  those stereotypes. Maybe because teachers are simple human beings. We don't crave for fancy things everyday. Fashion is sacrificed for the sake of comfort (If you have seen our uniforms, you would understand). We get sweaty, tired, haggard-looking, and yet we are the happy. We share our triumphs, our inis, our stress, our kapalpakan. We celebrate small things. A student with dyslexia finished her spelling words. Nobody cried in class today. The students were quiet during the test. That one girl who never eats finally ate pizza. The shy one now has a buddy to eat lunch with. And the bully finally learned to make at least one friend. 

Once someone asked me, "Do you think you are in the right profession?". Before I answered, I asked myself, "Where would I be if I'm not a teacher?". But I couldn't come up with an answer. It's not that my head went blank. I just couldn't decide. That's when I realized that I may just be on the right track simply because I'm not looking for anything else. Then I smiled at her, and said yes.