First I would like to talk about books that I am currently reading. The first one is totally unexpected. It is entitled, "Paano Ba 'To?!" (How to do this?!, in English... I think) and it is written by Bianca Gonzales-Intal, a very well known television personality and blogger. It was pretty interesting because I've always admired the way she handles herself and her career. She's not one of those famous people who hog the spotlight and when I met her on the day I got the book (which was a random school event, by the way), she is so down-to-earth and so simple. Hearing her story increased my respect for her. The book, however, is something I do not usually read. It is a self-help/inspirational piece of literature and I honestly never imagined myself reading something like it. So it was a brand new experience for me and I suddenly became excited to read it. Basically, the book targets mostly young Filipino girls. The chapters are divided into different aspects of life such as love, friendship, fashion, etc. In this book, you will see pieces of advice from experts, her friends, family, and other Filipino showbiz personalities. It is so great to read this during my past time. It's been a very long time since I heavily felt the presence of the author in a book. All the pages are not just creative and very artsy, but it had Bianca written all over them which I appreciate a lot. So thank you again for writing such a great book! Please write another. :)
Another book I have been reading is a sequel of the book that I've been reading last month. It's called "Vortex" by S.J. Kincaid. As I've said earlier, it's the second installment to the Insignia series. And so far, it is one of the greatest Dystopian (?) science fiction stories I've ever read. The development of the characters so far are just so interesting; I've never encountered a main character who is very complicated. I thought the previous heroes I've encountered are messed up, but this is the real deal. I definitely recommend this to people who are into young people going into war and trying to change the world because I think this series covers the entire package. It may not have much hot men or burning romance, but the plot itself will take a huge grip on you. I do not want to reveal much because I really urge everyone reading this post to read this book. Every character is well-written and it is so straight to the point. Furthermore, I think a lot of people will love Tom, who is the protagonist of this story because I think he represents everything a young person is. Insecure, tormented, demented, curious, full of himself, and many more. Just read it guys, you won't be disappointed.
Now let's move on to films! Well not really films because there aren't any that completely grasped my attention. However, there is another Studio Ghibli Film that I really enjoy and it is called From Up On Poppy Hill. The plot is very simple. It's about this young girl who raises flags every morning and these flags are actually a decoded message for her father, who is already dead in this movie but she still raises them every morning hoping for some miracle. Then it turns out, someone at the sea was actually answering back to her flags and she learns this by reading a poem in the school newspaper that is about her and her flag-raising activity. Apart from that, the school had an issue regarding this building where all the clubs (and all the members are boys) are being held. The authorities planned to shut it down and replace it with a new one, and this made the students take action in order to save the building they have. These two issues somehow become connected because the central message of the story is about connecting to the past. And that for me, was very intriguing. I enjoyed mostly how the students really worked together to save the club building and since this is a love story, I love the chemistry between the two main characters.
I tried a new TV series this month and it is called Once Upon A Time. I know, better late than never. It is about Emma and her son Henry, facing this mysterious town called Storybrooke. It may seem like any other gloomy town, but in reality it is a cursed place where all the Fairy Tale characters are trapped in. And the best part is that they don't remember who they were before Storybrooke. And the entire town is ruled under the instigator, who is the Evil Queen from Snow White. And yeah you guessed it, she totally did this because she was this mad at Snow White. I've always liked Disney, so I guess this is why I was immediately drawn by the series. I already finished the first season and so far, I like it. I can't wait to get my hands on the next seasons.
The rest that I enjoyed this month are just a bunch of Youtube videos. The first is by Geek and Sundry and they have this segment called Craft Lab by Greg Aronowitz, where Anna Akana is a featured Youtuber. All they do is create awesome geek-related things out of very unusual things. My favorite project of theirs was Sonic the Hedgehog made out of chicken bones, and yes it is featured in this very post as we speak. I am so impressed with how they actually pulled it off. The materials they used seemed like they're out of the question, but after making it, I end up being amazed.
The next two are Youtube series. The first is Riley Rewind by Ray William Johnson. It features, again, Anna Akana as the lead and the story is so compelling. It's about Riley, a girl who has the ability to go back in time and she tries to use this power for good by saving this particular person from committing suicide. The story may seem a little bland to most, but what made the entire series so beautiful is the script. All the words were heartfelt and they all screamed inspiration. And in that moment, I swear my respect for Anna Akana got an upgrade. Finally, the last is called Carmilla. It is created by Vervegirl TV and it is based on a Gothic novel under the same name. The story starts with Laura, an average journalism student who just posts Youtube-like videos online about her journalism adventures. And these so-called journalism adventures started when her roommate started to go missing and a girl named Carmilla randomly pops in and becomes her new roommate. Again, I do not want to reveal much because what is great about this series is the suspense at the end of each episode. A lot of things happened in each episode--which are each in a span of at least three minutes--and everything becomes so hard to keep track off. I love the concept of just random vlogging, the script was really good, and the acting is well-delivered. I highly suggest this if you are into dark, Gothic, forbidden romances like Twilight, because this series shows so much more than that.
One of the weirdest things I've ever did while I was going through puberty, was to base my standards for a potential life partner on my fandoms. Mostly anime shows. Back then, I thought it would be really great to just wait and see if I can actually have my very own carbon copy of Gaara of the Sand from Naruto. But you know, life happened and I completely forgot what kind of attributes I look for in a man.
Many of us do this all the time. This fictional character or person is so perfect, you just need someone like this in your life. Let's be real here; as a girl with random cliched thoughts, it would be amazing to wake up every morning to a Ryan Gosling-looking guy who can cook you breakfast every morning and rant about ducks while you read about The Tale of Two Cities. That's basically the effect our fandoms can have on most of us. Fandoms make us go beyond our imagination. We want their reality to become our reality. But let's be more specific and talk about love here.
Every fandom has their own definition of love and romance. And as members of each fandom, we have our own way of interpreting them. So here are my very own lovely interpretations on some of the most famous and cliched romantic fandoms ever! I won't be surprised if you disagree with me, though.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus- "You know a guy is dam serious about you when he gives up the gift of immortality--or at least, a major part of himself, just to be with you."
Twilight Saga- "You need a super perfect, protective guy and you have to be naive and surprisingly attractive in order to have the best mysterious romance of your life."
If you haven't really based your ideal girl or guy on the shows and books you love, then wow. I actually admire you. Many would want a girl who can play video games, because of Sword Art Online. Girls dream to meet the man of their dreams in a gloomy courtyard of some academy that they thought they would dread. I'm not saying that's it is abnormal to think that way, because it happens a lot. It somehow irritates me when a character is perceived as too hot or too perfect. It makes me feel conflicted, actually. I love how they're described, but I hate how it tries to ingrain into my mind that I need to marry someone who is almost like this character. In other words, fandoms like that encourages other girls like me that they should pick this mysterious, complicated god-like man with a high disposable income and the ability to come up with romantic gimmicks over a very simple guy who may not have much to offer but only has the sweet intention of getting to know you because to him you're pretty special. If every girl in the world would always chose this god, then yeah...nice guys will end up finishing last, unfortunately.
Whether we like it or not, the realities of our fandoms is so much different from the reality we are currently in. Because in the end, finding someone who has the hair of Jace Herondale, the kind nature of Peeta Mellark, has the rock-hard abs of any vampire, and the flawless talent of Daniel Grigori, is almost impossible. If you have someone who is as majestic as that, then congratulations. But if you're that frustrated person who thinks they can't have a love life, I say don't fret. I know, who am I--a random person on the internet--to tell you this? Trust me, I used to be that girl who would make those lists about what she wants in a man. So, hang in there. Your man (or girl) will come. And if that person does not have the gorgeous features that you were expecting, then I guess it won't matter once he or she comes along. Which is why, I challenge everyone lurking on the internet to do one task...Don't come up with standards.
Do not raise them, nor lower them. Just come clean and see what kind of partner you will attract. Because every great story every told always has an element of surprise. Yes, even love stories. Bella never expected to have a man like Edward Cullen. Percy Jackson thought he would never amount to anything until he received the best underwater kiss of his life from the girl he's cared about since they were kids. And Felicity Smoak probably just wanted a boyfriend, not two chiseled vigilante businessmen. These characters only did their thing, and love came to them just naturally. They didn't do any sort of voodoo, nor did they bother to wait. They just continued being awesome. And that's something you can also do. Don't spend your precious free time thinking of what your future husband or wife should be like. Be yourself and let the story of your life surprise you.
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