The Things That Keep Us Here - Book Review

 The book cover I have. Actually, I loved the cover; it emphasizes the gloom and darkness and the bald trees speak it all.
 The newest cover of the book The Things That Keep Us Here. You can find a bigger version in the www.carlabuckley.com website. Or, even better, BUY YOUR OWN!! XD
Yay! Big! This the cover I loved the most and I wished I have this version. The picture is beautifully spoken and the quotes accompanies it very nicely. It spices the things up even before you leafed the pages! Sometimes, quotes like this work better rather than a description which is usually behind the book. But, that is my POV, anyway. Okay, enough talking, let me get reviewing.

"Truthfully, this book has all the genres you need to have. Suspense, thriller, non-fiction (though the only thing fictional are the characters, that does not stop you from reading it!), literature, romance and family problems. If there was such a genre, I'd add in togetherness.

Overall, it is scary. The fact that you're trapped in a house with an invisible lethal monster out on the loose isn't at all comforting. Especially when the power is turned off and you're on your own.

Anyway, the book starts off with Ann Brooks, an ordinary housewife, driving home from her father-in-law's funeral and at the end of the prologue, realized that her marriage has dissolved and lied askew among the word 'divorce'.

In this story, they are told that they are in Phase Four. After a few pages, Phase Five had started and schools and universities are shut down. Ann Brooks fought her way in the supermarket with Libby, her best friend. When the power turned off, they were forced to do what their ancestors did. Hand-wash clothes, hand-wash the dishes, eat with the candlelight, and the freezing cold. With the rationed foods they had and the disease out there, they have to work together, and keep together. For nothing is all safe out there, even the people they know, the people they love.

Ann Brooks faces several impossible decisions that will lead to life or death. Even opening the door to her best friend has become a dilemma to this normal housewife. Should she open the door and risk it all...?"

Well. Very exciting, don't you think?? This story is based on science and... I know, I know, for some, science is pretty boring compared to chic lit (which I must strongly disagree), but I assure you, I guarantee that this kind of science will make you drool for more, make you shiver in disgust and in fear. This is a page-turning book, a book that you will never put it down until you've finished it. (Unless your mother gets really angry about having to call you several times, you'll have to forcefully put the book down.) So you'll need time to read this book for it's a 400 page book. I finished it in three days, maybe one if I had the time, but I was quite busy. Anyway, I was really really sad when it was over. Not sad because of the ending, of course! Sad because the story was over. But I suppose a sequel will ruin it (But definitely not HP, Septimus Heap and other series I love), and besides the epilogue was a relieving finish.

But keep an eye out if Carla Buckley decides to write a book again.

Ten stars for this. Strongly recommended for those who adores science and family dilemmas.

My Third Home?

Hey everyone ^_^
Happy Eid/IdulFitri/Aidilfitri for you all! So where did you go for Eid? Balik kampung? XDD

I did, alright. Since I lived in Yogyakarta, I had to go to Jakarta alone by train. It was a very first experience for me to travel on a public transport with no one familiar around, though, alhamdullilah, I arrived safely at my destination.

Yup, I'm visiting my parents in Jakarta. They were thrilled to see me, as do I, but sorry to say, my little brother acts as if I'm a stranger or something. I thought it was rather rude since we haven't met for nearly a month, but Mum stepped up and said defiantly: "He's just shy. You know kids like him. Whenever they meet someone they haven't met for a long time, they go shy and quiet."
I understood that feeling, though I don't feel at all shy meeting him. For goodness' sake, he's still the same annoying loving little brother.

Well, anyway, enough about him. I called up my two best friends in Jakarta and arranged a break fast together in Margo City tomorrow. It was a wonderful day. We got to chat EVERYTHING, starting from comparing schools, friends, lives and stuff. I missed them both so much.

Fast forwarding. We already have a plan to visit my third home, in Kuala Lumpur, though we don't live there anymore. But we love KL as 8 years of living has developed a passion for everything in there.

It was fabulous. It's already the fourth day here, and I'm really enjoying it. I regretted, though, not bringing my laptop with me. I can't do reviews on my books. Speaking of books, I bought lots here. My current favourites are: The Lottery and Little Darlings. I can't wait to review them. 5 STARS!! *0*

'nough said. Missing my laptop. See you on the next post and stay tuned!

Time is irreversible.

What do you know about time?
That it's forever changing,
Eternally moving,
Never stopping?

Sometimes, we heed to its call.
Other times we wish
To delve in the past
To taste its luxurious waters
And not to ever see 
The present again.


But there are some
Whose past are dirty
Dark and unforgivable.
Whose touch is cold
Compared to the warming rain
Drowning the sky 
Mixing in with the tears.


The present.
Where what you think and feel
Exists now and then.
Your feats and motives
Whatever they are, they're here.
A second ago, they are the past.
This very moment
Is your present.

Do you wish to trek down 
The lane of memories
Where candies and laughter remain
Where you were once a child
Forever submerged under its 
Sweet waters?

Or the unseen path of future?
Lit by stranded hopes of light
Expectations and wishes hovering by
Where only you can decide what's best
For you and that ethereal route?

Let not the past steal you
From the present ray of light
Let not it change you 
To be a greedy child in perpetuity of the previous
Let not it devour you
To be something no more of an empty shell
Lest you seek sugared memories now and then
A victim of the precedent you must not be.

Hopes grow 
Hopes die
The field of future is enlarging every time
It needs not only promises and surmises
Achievement is required, as well as
Supporting family and friends
For who else is there besides them?
To accompany you through the unbelievable,
Love and friendship is demanded.


Yes, the time is ever-changing
And every hour, every minute, every second
Is ticking
Do what you must need
Do what you must try
Because time is irreversible.



-Saphira Veera

Alright, so it was a long...poem? Story? Whatever it was, I hope you sought for meaning. I learned from it as well, for it applies the same for everyone, including me. I owe so much to Leonnie Lim-senpai (Check out her facebook account here: http://www.facebook.com/leonnie.lim) Her notes are just so very impressive. I admire her writing skills.

Of course, this kind of note requires experience and understanding. So this was written from my point of view, but I sincerely hope that you all could comprehend what I was trying to say.

Soo... Let's get back to the topic in hand. (Not that it was out of topic, but.. Grrrr.)
I'm A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLER! Exciting it may be, but as I stated earlier, my future, in my POV is blurry. So I'll take my words and work my way up to the top!

:DD Well, I guess I lost some of the words I wanted to write just now due to the poem/story/whateveritwas,
so I have to end this now. Bye, everyone~ I hope you enjoyed this post. ^_^



















 

JFest!!

Huwaa! This is so awesome!! My first ever Japanese Festival!! I was so excited when I saw the commotion from the Fest, and the crowds were pulsing slowly in the heat, but, heck, WHO CARES?!


I jumped out from the car and made my way to the first stall. My eyes darted here and there, not really landing on to a specific thing, just amazed and awed by the things they were selling and the number of people shopping in the Fest. As I passed the stall, I turned my head and I squealed. Guess why I squealed? AN EXTREMELY CUTE RITSU PLUSHIE!! I rushed over and touched it fondly. The seller said something about the only plushie available in the stall now, so with one movement from my begging eyes, my Mom bought it for me. I mean, I have money, but in that way, I wouldn't have to spend ALL of my money.

Let's see, I'll just summarize of the things I bought.
1. The Ritsu plushie
2. An unknown anime-themed fan
3. A really cute PUREZENTO pencil case
4. A ''-------"   PUREZENTO keychain
5. An onigiri handbag with different expressions
6. A Ciel keychain
7. A Kuroshitsuji flash phone strap

Nice collection, am satisfied, but I still regretted not buying my Mugi nendo. And the Azusa figma. I bet it's original, because the price was sky-rocketing. As expected.

Anyway, my first ever JFest was amazing. I did not get the okonomiyaki, though I loved the mochis. I'll definitely attend another one soon!!

This Is My Story: Mounting the Peak

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This is My Story: Mounting the Peak

by Kania Puspaningrum on Monday, 07 March 2011 at 19:11

Is this a dream? I hope not. Because all those resistance I had tried so hard to obliterate, those little problems that somehow gave birth to bigger ones, have wasted my energy, my time, the painful lies I had to make, the frowns, and the tears. But it was worth it. I deserved it. Even now I could see the glint of gold in front of me, tantalizing me with its glory of possessing it, and tempting me as a child would feel when given the sweetest piece of Wonka chocolate ever. The man stepped on the stage, and I held my breath, waiting for me to announce my name, and also for the surge of exuberance and excitement of being given an Oscar trophy. But it did not. Not even when the audience clapped politely as the man handed to a dumbstruck me.


I clasped the cup nervously; suddenly at a loss of words. Feelings got better of me. Tears leaked out and my eyes sparkled like glass. My mouth opened, and out came a flurry of words.My brain refused to recite the words I had painstakingly memorized for this grand day. But the words that came out surprised me not, nor did I stop.

"It was truly a very great honour to be bestowed such a gift, and I thank God for giving me this golden chance I very much treasure. This I will never forget but when I arrived here, I had a funny feeling. I realised now that it was because of the beautiiful echoes bouncing in my head. The echoes of precious of words given by family and friends. I would have never reached the peak if my family had not, provided me with the necessities to survive, if my friends had not lent a hand whenever I encountered a precarious ledge of rocks and snow.

"Since my first week studying in English First, I knew where to go. I am extremely thankful of when they have done. I will not forget those soothing words. I cannot express my thank you enough. But i want you to know..."

I took a deep breath, and stared at the camera steadily.

"...I hold this trophy in the honour of my beloved family and friends. This is my wish. To be able to share happiness, and to lend a hand when needed."
I stepped off the podium, feeling strangely ampty after the spontanious speech. The audience clapped loudly, some even standing, but I did not notice.I was too relieved to do so.

'I want to win because submitting this, I think, are one of my paths leading up to the peak. Writing this had been a joy, and I wish to achieve the best. Thank you for guiding me, English First.' www.englishfirst.co.id