2NE1

I wasn't able to post a blog entry in weeks, and during that time, a very important event has occurred.

No, it does not have anything to do with politics, or with the stars. In fact, it just concerns me.

You see, last February 17, I turned 21. Yes. Twennyone. 


While that event may not move mountains or realign the planets, it does have quite an impact on me. Well, duh, I'm the one who celebrated a birthday, for crying out loud. And it's not just any birthday. It's my 21st.


I'm really an adult now. A legal adult pretty much all over the world. That is not something to be easily ignored. It's quite scary, in fact. I loved being 17 before; I can do a lot of things I want, but without the accountability and responsibility that comes with being 18, much less being 21.


But with all the hullabaloo that I'm giving this alleged turning point in my life, my birthday passed by rather inconspicuously. Is this how adulthood is supposed to be? No more colorful birthday parties, balloons, and all that jazz?

Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. Again. My birthday is to use my own word, quite "chill", but that's not to say it wasn't special (and I'm confusing myself with the double negative). That's not really surprising, since my birthday is usually right in the thick of school stuff (I think in high school my birthday usually falls on exam week or somewhere near there, which makes it a really hectic period).  So, without further ado, let me share some stuff about what transpired during my birthday, which, coincidentally, is also Random Acts of Kindness Day (according to my Journal, that is).


It's been over a week since this happened, so I don't quite know how I'll go about this...let's see...

1. School


Ah, yes. Unfortunately, the rest of the world is not gonna stop moving just because it's my birthday. Therefore, I have to go to school. But of course the good thing about that is I have my blockmates with me all day. And that's something I'm thankful for.

And even then, I consider myself having a birthday treat, because a professor I dread seeing that day (given that I wasn't able to study the materials for his class) did not ask for a recitation! In fact, we spent his class listening to interesting tales about school, work, and life. It was really a treat. (I think some of my classmates fell in love with him that day. I was just happy to have enjoyed that meeting so much.)

2. Blockmates

Ah, yes. I don't know how I could have endured the schoolday aka my birthday if it weren't for my lovely blockmates who were there with me throughout most of the day, singing birthday songs whenever possible. Somehow, through all the hell months, days, weeks, hours, minutes, and seconds (yes law school can be that agonizing) these people have wormed their way into my heart. And I thought I'd never get along with anyone! Okay, I'm being too mushy now, I love you guys (not that you'll read this), and let's end this at that. Dlock D is the dest! <3

3. Fantastic Four ++


Ah, well...when I said I thought I'd never get along with anyone, I wasn't kidding. Which is why I stuck like glue to the people I sat with during the first day of class. Luckily for me, we clicked together, and have been awesomesauce friends/rowmates ever since. And of course, I can't forget the panda and the tycoon/"hero" who are always so generous to me. And to someone so fluffy I'm gonna die who took pictures of my special day. I'm not naming names because I don't know how you'd feel being blogged about like this, but thanks. Thank you for the cake, for the gifts, for the effort, for taking pictures, for going out of your way to make me feel special. I love you guys!

Thanks, for the cake, friends!

And thanks for helping me eat it too! XD

A really, really cute edition my blockmate gave me! <3

Another book! And it has an awesome cover! So happy~

I have such awesome friends. <3

4. Facebook Messages


For being quite cut off from the rest of the world on my birthday, I received a lot of love over on Facebook. Close friends, friends, acquaintances, people from the past, people I'm not even sure I know, have left me greetings from the time Facebook announced my birthday, and even for a few days after. And as much as I got a bit tired of saying thank you in different forms and languages and emoticons as I replied, know that I am very touched to see all of those messages. And I know that sometimes I don't even greet people whose birthdays I see on Facebook, so really, thanks guys!

5. Rock N' Roll Birthday Treat!


Yes, I'm pretending that Never Shout Never, The Maine, and We The Kings performed in Trinoma on February 17 because it's my birthday. Hahaha. But still, it was a really nice surprise to find out that they were performing on my birthday! Especially since I just discovered and learned to love Never Shout Never's music and I have always loved We The Kings' Stay Young and Check Yes Juliet. So I was really happy, even if it wasn't under the ideal circumstances (I didn't get to have a ticket because I had class the day tickets were given out and so I was really far from the stage), that I got to hear a) their music, and b) hear it live. 


For this, dear panda, thank you. :)

6. Family


I did not see my mom, my dad, or my little brother at all during my birthday (in fact, as of press time, I still haven't. Especially my dad, who's not really in the country right now.). Still, this doesn't mean that I didn't feel their love for me. And I had my wonderful aunt with me, so I'm really thankful.

Days before my actual birthday, my dad called me a few times, reminiscing on the events that were supposedly happening at that time before my birth. Thinking about it now, I don't know if I want to laugh or cry at the sappiness of it all. My father has done so much for me, that whenever I think about it, I get the strength to trudge onwards despite the difficulty.

My mother called me on my birthday, and she has always been so good to me. And scary, too. Still, I'm thankful to have such a strong and cheerful mother in my life. She's really a force to be reckoned with. Aaaand, they had food for the family back in Cavite! How crazy is that! I wasn't even there! XD

And, miracle of all miracles, my brother texted me a happy birthday! You know how growing boys would be anywhere but near their mothers and sisters? Yeah, he's in that phase. So you can see how this message means a lot to me. Even if he asked for his long overdue gift at the end of it.

And of course, my aunt, who has been with me throughout all these years, despite me being the brat that I am.   She made me fruit salad for my birthday! I'm so happy. And I've yet to take her out on that birthday date we're supposed to have.

I'm just so blessed to have these people in my life.

And so...

That pretty much sums it up, actually. This is like the extended version. And this is my thanks.

Now, onwards we go...

Zmeyette's Book #2: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Finally, I finished book number two! This was actually supposed to be the first book I would finish this 2011, but oh well. Yay! Here are my thoughts on the book, which I imported from my Goodreads account.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was recommended to me years ago by a high school friend of mine. I wasn't able to read it then, but around 3 months ago, maybe around four years or so after said recommendation, I was in the mood to buy several books (meaning I was with my mother who was in the mood to indulge me my book purchases). Upon glancing at the shelves, I once again saw Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian, along with other books. I have been wanting to read it for quite a while, and felt that it was a good opportunity to finally get the book. So I did.

Unfortunately, at the moment, I don't have a lot of time to read. Which is partly the reason why it took me a few months to finish this book. That doesn't lessen the way I like this book, though.

First, an overview of the story. (Not sure if these will have spoilers for you, so...) The Historian is a story which has layered tales that intertwine and come together in a quest that is ultimately about one character: Vlad the Impaler, more popularly known as Dracula. The story is seen, at first through the eyes of an unnamed young woman. However, as the story goes, and the different layers of the tale unravels, we see through different characters' perspectives, and this is accomplished by the author through letters, conversations, and the like, with all these perspectives tied together by the legend of Dracula.

At first, this style confused me, and in the beginning was quite boring to me, but the deeper I got absorbed in the book the more I appreciated this style.It was also quite a long read for me, regardless of my busy school life, but it was a fresh reprieve from my usual rushed YA reads (or cases, for that matter). I'd quite forgotten the comfort of sinking into a good story, of reading bits and pieces, pausing every now and then, knowing I can go back later, or the next day. I think to complete the feeling in my mind I just need a fireplace, a comfy chair, and a rainy day.

One of the recurring thoughts in my head as I read this book was my renewed and energized dream of traveling throughout Europe. Kostova depicted the locations in The Historian in such a way that I envied the young woman her diplomat father, and their travels throughout different spots in the continent. Even with the terrifying tales that were painted over these places, the beauty of them still shines through and makes me want to see such for myself.

The story also has quite the blend of characters, although, as the title of the book suggests, most of them are historians. Still, the development of the character for me, was done well, and I like how the characters come together. I also enjoyed the twists and turns they presented, which left me pleasantly surprised several times.

All in all, this one was a refreshing read (this is very ironic, given the story that the book actually has) for me, and I really enjoyed reading it.

View all my reviews

P.S. How about you? What's the last book you finished?