One Great Story

Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson is one great book. You can say that it is a love story but it offers more than that. It is not the typical boy-meets-girl-falls-in-love-lives-happily-ever-after of a love story. The author wove the main story along with some interesting tragic short love stories and Dante's Inferno. I loved the way that all of them suddenly came together near the end of the story. I am not quite fond of the ending but still agreed that it was what the story needed.

I have fininshed one more book for my reading project. Now I am ready to continue with the project with the next book, Possible Side Effects by Augustus Burroughs. I got the chance to watch a film based from one of his books, Running With Scissors. It was different, it has its moments. I think I liked the ending. So I am looking forward to start my read.



Let's start with page one...

One Book Down

Finished the book "The Big Over Easy" last weekend. It was an easy read. You do not need to have a dictionary beside you in order to understand the story. It was about Humpty Dumpty murder investigation. It involves some nursery rhyme characters. It has some funny moments. I liked the whole story but I am not jumping up and down with delight. It was a good start in rediscovering reading.

I am now on the next book. I have borrowed two books from a friend. I can save a lot of money just by borrowing books instead of buying copies for myself. hehehe. Anyway, the books were "Possible Side Effects" from Augustus Burroughs and "Gargolye" by Andrew Davidson.

Since the "Gargolye" book was recommended by two of my friends, I decided to start with this one. So far, it is about a burnt victim who has met a woman who have stuck with him while he was in the hospital recovering. Let us see what else will unfold from the story.



I have a high expection from this book.

So one down for my book or reading project. Hopefully I can post some updates on my other projects.

Joys of Reading

Went to Powerbooks last Friday to look for a book that I can read during my afternoon breaks. Didn't find anything though. I do not have any idea on any good books lately. I am not up to date with the modern authors except for Nick Hornsby and Neil Gaiman.

Texted my friend to give me suggestions on which books I should read. He had given me several authors like Michael Chabon, Andrew Davidson and Jasper Fforde. So off I went to National Book Store to find me a good book.

It is very difficult to find a book in National Book Store. I do not know who arranges the books in their shelves and if they know their ABCs. The books were not in alphabetically order at all. It was hard to find the authors suggested by my friend. And when I did find the author, the recommended book title was not available. I just realized how limited the stock were. It was a bit disappointing.

Anyway, I stucked to Jasper Fforde since he was the only author with several book titles available. I have no idea what his books were about. It was suggested that I get his very first book, The Eyre Affair. Unfortunately, that title was nowhere to be found. So I decided to pick any title from him. I selected "The Big Over Easy", didn't bother to read the back print at all. I found out later that the book was about Humpty Dumpty.



I am now in the Chapter 8 of the book. So far, it has its funny moments. I am a bit curious on where the author will take me with his idea of Humpty Dumpty possibly being murder. I hope it would be a fun ride.

I just realized after I bought the book, scanned its pages and covered it with plastic for protection was that I missed reading a book. I would never have thought about it. I do hope that I can continue on reading books and enjoy every minute of it.

Weaken No More

Got sick during the long weekend. It was supposed to be a fun weekend. I could have probably have done some of my projects but was not able to do even one. I was down with the flu. I was physically unable to do anything but lie on the couch.

However it was not just virus that held me down last weekend. There was also something else. Spiritually I was also weaken. I do not know why when it rained, it always poured. I was reminded again how everything is so fragile. And how people don't realize this.

This is such times when I would sink back and become a zombie for a few days. Everyday would be always hard to wake up. But now I have decided to take back what I have before and not let myself get defeated. It is time to fight back...

Watch the Market

One of the projects that I have left hanging for a long time is my involvement with stocks. I have initially bought one, just one, set of stock and haven't got the chance to build it up. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you would want to see it, the stock that I bought went up. So I kept on thinking what if I already invested more money on it, how much interest will I have gained?

Now I am going to start building this up again. I will start reserving part of my salary for this. Once I reached about 500 units of the stock, I will buy another stock from a different category. My goal is really a long term one. It is really true as they say that the good time to buy is when everybody is afraid. As the stock market beginning to recover and people are become bullish, the stock prices will start to climb up. I do not want to buy stocks at their peaks.

Let's watch how this will go.

Got Salesforce Certified

It is always great to challenge oneself every once in a while. Getting one certified on a software/application used at work is one way. It feels good to know that you have achieved something.

Here is my Administrator certification logo from Salesforce.



As I have said before, getting certified as a Salesforce Consultant is one of my next projects. So got to hit the books...

For Inspiration

I just would like to post this famous poem/prose to serve as an inspiration to one's life. Thank you Max Ehrmann for leaving us with this humble gift.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952

All At Once

Having a long time off from work always gives me time to reflect. This vacation should certainly been a great time to do some reflection since it IS the Holy Week. However my mind wanders to non spiritual things. I thought about the other projects that I would like to do.

As I have mentioned in my previous post, I am going to create some videos and try to become as creative as my resources permit. I just finished one music video featuring our summer time at the 8 Waves Resort in Baliwag, Bulacan. See the video:

In this video, I have used my Canon Powershot digicam. I don't have any a digital videocam so the resolution of this video is low. I have used Windows Movie Maker as my video editor. The background song that I used is "Summer Sun" by Matt Wertz. The song has a lay-down-at-the-sand-while-listening-to-the-waves vibe to it from me.

That's one for my video project.

So what other projects did I thought about? Well, watching the clips used for this video, I just can't help but notice how big my belly had become. hehehe. It is time for me to have a diet and bring back my six-pack abs. Ok, I lied. I never had a six pack abs before. I always try to work on it but always failed. Due to stresses at work and at home, I often end up eating more than I should. Getting to meet one guy who was featured as one of the Belly Off All Star model in the Men's Health had inspired me to try again. So now, I am going to make it my goal to lose my bulging gut within this year. This is my second project.

Another project is related to work. I had to take a certification exam last week as required by my company. They need us project managers to become certified Salesforce Administrators. Fortunately, I passed it. Now the next step is to become a certified Salesforce Consultant. This is my third project.

Well, enough projects for now. I always try to do a lot of things, not wanting to waste any time. It would need a lot of energy. I just hope that I would not forget my other responsibilities. I would like to say good luck to myself.