I can still remember those days when I keep on pestering myself about my New Year's Resolutions. Why? I have to write something when I came back to school! First outputs at the beginning of the year are usually connected to that topic. I usually list a few of the things that I think I could do for the rest of the year, but then I fail to comply to most of them. And I don't know why.
This year I say NO to new year's resolutions. What's the use of thinking about them when you're not really dedicated in making them real? What's the use of listing those things that you want to change when you know that you just can't change them? Just a waste of time. So instead of thinking about the things that you'd change, what about think about the things that you want to accomplish? Think about your goals!
Here's a list of those goals that I want to accomplish on 2015. Fingers crossed! I hope I'll be able to cross-out any of them, ALL OF THEM, by the end of the year. Check it out!
NOTE: Some of those items are found on my bucket list. It's time to accomplish them all!
1. Find a stable job.
I'm serious about this. Finding a greener pasture isn't easy, but I really have to dedicate my time in doing so. Working here for two years (almost) makes me think I'm not improving and I'm not learning anymore. It's time to challenge myself in pursuing something else.
2. Complete the House of Night series.
I have completed the House of Night books via PDF, so the challenge now is to complete the prints. Whew! I'm currently reading Burned, and I'm hope I'll finish reading the series by June.
3. Complete the Left Behind series.
Just like the House of Night series, I have complete copy of the PDFs for Left Behind. MY goal for 2015 is to finish reading them, and most probably complete the printed books. If I'm not mistaken, I have three books on my shelf as of now.
4. Complete the Dark Angel Trilogy.
5. Get a copy of all the books written by Dan Brown.
6. Read a classic book.
7. Enjoy a spa day.
I badly need this. Really. Maybe I need to accomplish this first before anything else on the list. Haha!
8. Buy a guitar.
I planned to buy a guitar last December, but I have other things to spend for. Maybe I could buy this by the February. Fingers crossed!
9. Record covers of my favorite songs and upload a video at YouTube.
YES! This is crazy! Hahah! And this will be just for fun.
10. Reconnect with an old friend.
I guess this is a must. I have to find some time in rekindling the friendships that I had. I've isolated myself last 2014, and it's time to open myself up again.
11. Get annual dental cleaning.
I had my first teeth cleaning last September, so I have to visit the dentist by March. Hope everything will be alright. Teeth issues suck so much.
12. Movie marathon alone.
I think I'll be able to do this when my boyfie is already at training. I'll spend my free time watching movies and reading books just to forget how sad it is to be far from him. A year without him and without communication can drive me insane, mind you!
13. Learn new languages.
At least one new language for 2015!
14. Visit a local museum.
I've been planning to visit the National Museum by the end of January. Or sometime in February. :D
15. Visit Enchanted Kingdom and/or Star City
Just to complete one thing on my bucket list, riding a roller coaster!
16. Take photos everyday.
I already missed a few days of 2015, and I haven't took photos. I guess I have to catch up and start with the photo-a-day hashtag. The problem is, I can't upload them everyday due to internet connection problems. Haha! Weak. >.< (Well, at least I'll be taking photos everyday. That's the deal.)
17. Attend the MIBF on September and meet more Booklat fellas!
This is already scheduled! Haha! See yah there my dear readers and writers from Booklat and Wattpad. I'm pretty sure that will be another awesome event for us to enjoy. I'm so excited! :D
That list isn't final. I might think of another goal as the days pass by. For the mean time, may this list be blessed and accomplished within 2015! Happy new year!
You, my dear reader, what's your goals for 2015? Comments are welcome!
Love,
Huntress
Love,
thedespicablehuntress
Ever asked the same question? I bet! For brokenhearted ladies, it's easy to say those words, especially when they're intoxicated. Isn't it?
Anyway, we won't talk about all the drama and the drunken wishes of all the sobbing hearts. I would like to share another book entitled, Why Do We Have to Live With Men? by Bernadette Strachan.
So, here's a blurb I found on Bernadette's website:
Well, it's a good question, isn't it? And Cat O'Connor, escaping from a ruined affair, is about to find the answer.
When she is invited to join a group of women in a huge, decaying farmhouse deep in the West Country, Cat prepares to embark on a life without men. She is promised a nirvana of serenity where the chores are done without mutinous mutterings, nourishing food simmers on the Aga and feelings are taken seriously. But Cat soon discovers that women are no saints either.
Vegetable-related subterfuge, secret passions, a misogynist ghost and a pig called Dave all nudge Cat on her way to answering the vital question in every girl's life with wit, humour and warmth.
Characters:
Cat - The typical career woman. It's pretty easy to know her struggles since all of them have been stated in the novel. Behind the tough woman was huge problems; parent problems, sibling's issues and Hugh's loving caress. The commune gave her a chance to think about her family issues and her long-term dilemma about Hugh. In the end, she found the guy she'll truly love for the rest of his life. The man who came when she least expect it.
Hugh - Womanizer. At first I hate what he did to Cat. Actually, I have my fair share of anger to all womanizers alive. Haha! Hashtag: bitterness. Anyway, I love the fact that he still made a move to protect and defend her, even if that means he'll lose his job.
Will - The loving vet. They met in a very unusual scenario, and I can say that the pretty, little pig helped a lot in the development of their so-called feelings. Haha! Their last scene was hilarious, giving birth to the horse and talking to her before she left, you know. His the typical provincial guy, and the one who'll never ever break your heart.
The members of the commune have great personalities, too. I suggest you read the book to see what I mean. It's pretty hard to share them here one by one. I might overload this post with all the praises for the characters. I can even give you an imaginary personality for Dave the pig. Hehe!
Personal Comment:
Bernadette did a great job in using witty, entertaining, and girly words in her novel. She gave a great description about Cat, her affair with Hugh, her family problems, her relationship with her BFF's, her moments at work, and her changes and realizations at the commune. Moreover, I love the scene when she told Will she loved him. Hahaha!
I think it's best to say that the scenes are quite realistic. You see, some of the career woman find it hard to maintain a sound love life. Others are pretty lucky to do so, you know. Moreover, Cat's situation with her family is already rampant. Even her affair with Hugh. Those moment where girl friends meet and rant about their boyfriend's failures. Super realistic!
For all those women who ask the same question, I'm pretty sure this would be a great read. I'm not asking you to literally find a commune. You just have to do something for yourself in order to clear your mind.
Two thumbs up for Bernadette and Why Do We Have to Live With Men!
Anyway, can anyone give me a copy of How to Lose a Husband and Gain a Life? Haha! I am so intrigued by that story! :D
Final Book Rating: 5 Stars!
Love,
thedespicablehuntress
I bought this book last year, during my depression days. It’s hard to read it ‘cause the setting was full of anxiety. I feel like I’m becoming more depressed as I continue reading their journey.
Setting: Islamic Revolution (1979)
Pari offers a vivid picture of the turbulent era. She shared how the Persians lived during the Revolution, and how the rich people flee the country. She also described the poverty and destruction that damaged the whole Iran. I feel like I was part of the revolution while I was reading the novel. Hmm. I believe it was one of the easiest way to travel back in time. If you’re up for some time travel people, please read that novel. OK?
Characters:
Layla - The story is about her marriage, her separation to newly-wed husband, being caught and being tortured, her escape, and her exile in Iran. She was a person full of hope amidst all the pain and suffering she passed. She fought for her life for the sake of her husband and their child who was months old during her suffering.
Dariush - The husband of Layla, who was sent to the war front during the revolution. His death was falsificated, and was hidden in her grandmother’s house to heal. Amidst the weakness of his body, his heart believed that Layla was waiting for him. A man with his love for Iran, but got tired of the revolution and lost hope that it would be the same again.
Miriam - Dariush’s cousin. She took care of him when he was still weak and unconscious. I can say she was a puppet of her grandmother since her desire is to hear praises from her. She tried to forget all the Western influences just to make sure she won’t disappoint her granny. In the end, she decided to kill herself, and accept the fact that she’ll never get the approval that she needed from her grandparent.
Amir - The crazy person. Haha! He’s Dariush friend and enemy, based on the scene when he was about to kill our hero. He was supposed to help Layla and Dariush to get back to America after their wedding, but he’s missing in action. When he found out Layla’s escape, he looked for her, took the chance to be close to her, and tried to get her love. He worked with Dariush’s granny to hide the man and make Layla believe that her husband is already dead. In the end, he was lost, killed by his ex-girlfriend.
Maman Bozorg - The granny. She's one of the most annoying characters in this novel. She always wanted to be in control, to be superior, and to be the best person in the eyes of her children. She wise enough to use her connections to manipulate everything. I can only imagine how she manages to handle that harsh situation with her illness!
Love amidst the war, family interruptions, and distance. You’ll surely love how the characters fought for their love and desire. You’ll be amazed on how Layla fought to contradict the fortune catcher’s belief that she and Dariush won’t be together forever. Your heart will melt knowing how Dariush tried to recover each day, drawing Layla’s face again and again, and planning to get back to her when he’s already strong. I felt pity for Mariam, honestly. As the granny’s puppet, she was the one who got scolded most of the time. She had a hard time of choosing between friendship, love, and family.
Personal Comment:
Love conquers all. I believe this is one of the statements that you'll learn once you finished reading this novel. Layla and Dariush fought for their love, amidst the “reading of their stars (according to the fortune catcher), amidst their Granny’s rejection, and amidst the problem in their home country. I am definitely sure that they’ll have a stronger relationship after all the pain that they’ve passed.
It seems impossible to happen in real life, I know. For me, it’s hard to stay strong when you and your child is at the verge of death. Waiting for your turn to be publicly executed? That's really terrifying! However, it gave me strength and hope for the future. If (and only if) I’ll be on Layla’s situation, I won’t get cold feet and wait for my death. Fighting is the best thing to do.
The thing is, I’m not a fan of novels with depressing storyline. However, The Fortune Catcher made me realize that reading them is worth a try.
Final rating: 4 Stars
Love,
thedespicablehuntress
