Free Best in Travel book - Lonely Planet

Free Best in Travel book - Lonely Planet

Yara Alono's First Novel is Out in Pay per view!

Yara Alonso‘s first novel is out. I Believe in a thing called LOVE

is finally out!

Should you wish to avail, visit :

http://thebookwormsrealm.webs.com/apps/webstore/

or

http://bookwormsppv.multiply.com/

—–

It’s Pay Per View (PPV), so viewing and reading is only for those who would choose to subscribe. If at

any point in the future resources would allow, a hard copy (usually in Hardbound, yes, HARDBOUND,

FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE PHILIPPINES) would soon be puiblished. For the meanwhile, enjoy it through the Bookworms Realm Publishing online PPV site.

know her more :

http://yaraalonso.webs.com/cosmopolitanseries.htm

Men Are Happier People

NICKNAMES

* If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and Sarah.

* If Mike, Dave and John go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla and Four-eyes.

EATING OUT

* When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and John will each throw in $20, even though it’s only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back.

* When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

MONEY

* A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.

* A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn’t need but it’s on sale.

BATHROOMS

* A man has six items in his bathroom: toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a bar of soap, and a towel

* The average number of items in the typical woman’s bathroom is 37. A man would not be able to identify more than 20 of these items.

ARGUMENTS

* A woman has the last word in any argument.

* Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

FUTURE

* A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.

* A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

SUCCESS

* A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.

* A successful woman is one who can find such a man…

MARRIAGE

* A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn’t.

* A man marries a woman expecting that she won’t change, but she does.

DRESSING UP

* A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the trash, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail.

* A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

NATURAL

* Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed.

* Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

OFFSPRING

* Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams.

* A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

* A married man should forget his mistakes. There’s no use in two people remembering the same thing!

My new favorite Romance Writer

Lemme quote her from her website : yaraalonso.webs.com

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A New Breed of Love Stories is coming your way!

I moved heaven and earth just so I could have a pen name. I even went through a secret poll (asking closest friends) , which among the list of names I researched on and put together and jumbled first and last names, they would want me recognised. At long last, a unanimous decision for Yara Alonso was made!

I have always dreamt of being a writer. I guess one could readily identify me as a wide reader. A book I read, just unfortunate to have forgotten the name and author of that book, once mentioned “If there’s one book you want to read, yet ,you seem can’t find it, you must write that book”. So here I am, fulfilling the author’s call to write.

Why romance writing?

A friend asked me that question once. That friend sort of envisioned me being a journalist. He said I always have an opinion on almost everything. Well, I think I am opinionated, too much for my own good sometimes, but I tried veering away by reading romance pocketbooks.

Some ask, why romance writing? I say why not. English they say is the international language. I say it isn’t, I believe it’s love. Even blind, deaf, mute and handicapped people fell in love. Some have crushes as early as six years old. That is indeed a manifestation that a strong feeling, a strong emotion is possible to exist in a person. It may not be love yet, but if it flourishes it would likely turn to love.

Love is a universal language. A Chinese would speak Mandarin, a Japanese Nihongo, an American English and yet regardless of origin, anyone knows and understands LOVE. A person need not finish any degree to be skilled at loving, it’s instinctive and instantaneous.

I have always believed in love, in its power, in its magic. Though I don’t have a Cinderella-they-live-happily-ever-after story yet, I believe that someday, somehow, someone would come my way. Someone who would love me the way I want to be loved, would take care of me the way I wanna be taken care of and would be strong for me when I feel like giving up. So while waiting for that someone, I would create a world where love is the center of the story and two hearts would be drawn together and would be bound by destiny. A world where I could make wishes granted and dreams come true. A world where pains, tears and heartaches are pivotal motions to success and happy endings. Stories that might be yours one way or another and heroes and heroines you could and would be able to relate to. True love does exist because I live by that principle, I live by that faith. Those stories would prove that true love happens, while not for me, at least for others.

I would want to reiterate through my stories that loving is not all bed of roses. For loving someone requires sacrifices, compromises and even heartaches, too. For when you love someone, you give that person a potent chance of hurting you, of breaking your heart to a million pieces. But despite the fact that, according to a song, love might kill you, no other experience would come at par with the joy, with the happiness, loving someone could bring.

So join me as we unfold the mystery and force that is LOVE. Happy reading everyone!

Francis Magalona is gone!

Sad, but true! How could someone so young like him die? He's been my crush since I could remember. I really like him, especially his contributions to the Pinoy music industry. Remember the song "Mga kababayan ko."

The news really saddened me so much. It's hard to think that he had finally bid goodbye to this world to reunite with The Creator. Too bad I won't be able to hear him rap again,not that I am a fan of rap since I am more of a rocker. I don't know what it is with him that I truy adore but I simply love him. Well, good thing I have his albums with me, I could at least say he had left me something to remember him by, actually his music would be the proof that he has been a nice person. He wanted Pinoys to change for the better. Wouldn't forget his genuine trust with Pinoys and his patriotism.

I love you Francis M, wherever you'll go I know that you'll be happier. Rest assured that we will never forget you. HAPPY BATTLE, forever!!!

A Day in Paradise

I've had this aversion to water since time immemorial. The moment my feet feel nothing solid underneath the water I'd start panicking, thus learning how to swim has become elusive. I've always had this weird thought of getting drowned everytime I go swimming. I ended up missing a lot not enjoying all water activities --- swimming, snorkelling, rafting, kayaking and scuba diving.

But not until July 04, 2008 when I and few of my closest office colleagues decided to go to Anawangin Cove in Zambales. Beach resorts aren't the major attraction there since I found that there's nothing much to enjoy with Pundaquit's shoreline. The main attraction there was island hopping and trekking towards Anawangin Cove. It was truly a paradise. It'd make you feel like you're somwhere else but the Philippines. I had this weird feeling that I am in New Zealand or Switzerland. I ejoyed the whole trip because finally I have overcome one of my fears, not to mention that it was only my 2nd time riding a water vessel (if a motor boat can be considered a vessell at that), one was a ferry from CCP to Orion when I joined my L2Summitteers climbing Mt. Tarak in Mariveles, Bataan ages ago. And that was about the same time I learned, really learned to swim..hehehe..I sure would enjoy going outdoor more.

Some of us had hesitations going to Anawangin but not me and Mico and Shie. Hearsays had it that a few seasoned mountaineers died and gone missing a few weeks back while trekking. Well, I wouldn't wanna spoil my excitement for I was too excited beyond what can be considered as overly excited. Few days prior to the trip, the rain never stopped pouring, threatening our forthcoming trip to perdition. It even came to a point that only the three of us or make that fours us, with Riza's inclusion, decided to go despite the not-so-good a weather forecasts from 4th 'til 8th of July. I just relied solely to my observed luck with outings, trips and campings that whenever I am included and no matter how unpredictably bad the weather is, the sun would always show up during those planned dates. Of course, I coupled that "luck" with ardent prayers. And on the 4th we setforth to Victory Liner in Monumento. Each of us paid P257.00 for fare (P252.00 from Caloocan to San Antonio, Zambales plus P5 accident insurance) and at exactly 11am, off to Zambales the bus went. And before the clock ticked at 3PM, we arrived in San Antonio, went straight to the market to buy a 3-day-supply of food, water and other personal things. Then we went straight to Mama Tess' Wild Rose Beach Resort and paid a sum of P4,400 for a 2-night stay at her cabana.

We spent our first night swimming tirelessly at the pool. My, the resort was clean and since we're the only people checked in at the resort, enjoyed our sole use of the resort. The next day, we started sailing towards Anawangin Cove at 8AM. Before we sailed, I told myself that nothing could harm me if God didn't permit so. And I put on my life vest and rode the boat with much enthusiam enough for all 8 of us.

When we arrived at Anawangin, I understood why so much has been said about everything in it, from the white sand, to the pine trees,to the lake and the tip of the lake that meets the mountain and the sea. PERFECT! Though I've observed that there's garbage here and there, maybe because of the rain and because of some people who, because of too much appreciation of the place, forgot sensibility. Before I even reprimand myself from being too OC, I found myself sweeping garbage off the prestine white sand. Hello! I mean, libre na nga 'yong place, nag-iwan pa tayo ng kalat! Why shouldn't we live by this saying:

TAKE NOTHING BUT PICTURES,
LEAVE NOTHING BUT MEMORIES,
KILL NOTHING BUT TIME.

After the never ending picture taking and photo sessions, we sailed off to Capones Island, with the intention of having more photo session at the Lighthouse. But because the waves became too strong that it became dangerous to sail, we landed at the other end, rather the other side of the island. We just took pictures on the rocks at the other side of the island and also while enjoying the water.

Before we went home, all of us were convinced that indeed it was a day in paradise and we're all looking forward going back.

The Most Embarassing of All Embarassing MOments sa Buhay Ko!

Ang kahihiyan ni Janis at ang kaniyang misadventure!
Bow!

Hassle na kasi ang ubo't sipon ko, so after two days, naisipan kong magpa-check up sa Medical City. Sabi ng nanay ko, sasama daw siya dahil baka i-confine ako, wala daw akong load para mag-text sa bahay. Paano ba naman, halos ibuga ko na at ilabas ang baga ko para lang makalanghap ng hangin at nang lumuwag man lang ang hingahan ko. Anyways, nasa Medical City na kami ni nanay tapos the last time na bumisita ako sa Maxicare was two years ago pa. At ang natatandaan ko, sumakay kami ng elevator papuntang lower ground. So being a know-it-all girl that I am (sometimes), sakay kami ni nanay ng elevator. Tapos umikot kami sa buong LG bago ko naisipang tanungin 'yong isa sa ulitity personnel. "Eh, Ma'am sa ground floor po 'yun!" Ah, okay! Siyempre nga naman, sa loob nga ng 24 oras, sandamakmak na ang puwedeng mangyari, two years pa kaya!? "Thank you po!" Siyempre, nagpa-cute naman ako. So may I ride na kami ni mama sa elevator. 'Pag baba namin sa ground floor, pasok na kami sa pinto. Take note : Maxicare ang HMO namin sa company. So mega getsy ako ng number at umupo na to wait for my turn to be called. Tapos nung tinawag 'ung number ko sabi ng receptionist "Ma'm, peram po ng card." So inabot ko naman ung Maxicare kong card, at siyempre mega-proud kasi may "Premium" na tatak 'yun. Tapos tiningnan ako ng receptionist na parang bigla akong tinubuan ng sungay. "Ma'am, sa kabila po ata kayo. Try nyo po sa next na door". Mang-aaway na sana ako pero dahil 38.4 degree celcius ang temperature ko, naghunus-dili naman ako dahil baka biglang umakyat sa 42 degrees at kumbulsiyunin ako . So, hinablot ko 'yong card ko at nag-dramatic entrance ako. Tapos nung nasa labas na ko, binasa ko ung nakasulat sa door : MEDICARD. Anak ng parents naman, oo, nasobrahan ata ako ng intake ng Nafarin at na-high ako. Ano bars? MAXICARE, janis! M-A-X-I-C-A-R-E!!!! With all the grace and poise I could muster, pasok kami sa next door, this time carefully reading the name : MAXICARE. Eto na janis! Totoo na ito! This is it!

Tapos nandun na nga kami sa loob ng, again : MAXICARE! So may I get na naman akes ng number. Tapos tinawag na ang number ko tapos inabot ko 'yung card ko. Tapos maya maya, may pinapa-pirmahan sa akin, a credit card receipt-like na papel (alam ninyo yung pinapapirmahan pag nag-swipe kayo ng credit card). Sabi ko "Wait, lang Miss, di ba, libre to kasi Maxicare ung HMO namin di ba? Bakit may charge? Saka hindi ko naman binigay 'ung credit card ko ah!" Tapos, I swear gusto talagang matawa ng receptionist, pero siguro naawa sa ka-inosentihan ko, kaya nag-explain na lang. "Ma'am, ganiyan na po ngayon, sina-swipe na po 'ung HMO card ninyo tapos pipirmahan nio na lang po ung charge slip pero wala kayong babayaran." So I smiled and kunwari naaliw sa process. "Wow, ang galing, high tech naman!" I meekly returned to my seat and thanked God na aapat lang kami doon, kasama ang nanay ko. Pinakiramdaman ko ung dalawang ibang tao doon. Deadma naman sila. Nagpakawala ako ng isang napakalalim na buntong hininga and to my surprise, bigla akong umubo. Turn off talaga! Parang sumabog ang buong paikot ng sinturon ni hudas!! Good thing, nakisama ang sipon ko at Missing in action siya that time

So after merely 2 minutes of consultation with the doctor, binigyan na ako ng prescription. Eh may Mercury Drug naman sa labas ng Medical City but since sa Galeria ako sasakay pauwi dahil ang layo ng tawiran (sa Meralco Foundation pa), sumakay kami papuntang Galeria. Tapos si nanay sumakay na ng bus patungo sa Camp Crame. Nagpunta ako sa Mercury Drug para sana bumili na ng gamot. Kaso lang naisip ko na since nandoon na ako, might as well, mag-replinish na din ako ng mga gamit ko like shampoo, etc... When I was at the cashier, una ko siyempre iniabot ung Suki Card ko ( Mercury Drug loyalty card) tapos hinintay na ma-scan lahat ng pinamili ko. Tumataginting na P 1, 407.50 ang babayran ko (idinamay ko na rin kasi pati groceries sa bahay like coffee, sugar, family soap, etc..). Tapos binulatlat ko 'ung wallet ko. Tumataginting na P 100 at P20 bills lang laman! Nakakahiya, there were like 5 people pa naman sa likuran ko. Kakahiya talaga. Sabay hirit ko naman sa cashier. "Sorry, wait lang Miss kailangan ko palang mag-withdraw muna." Pero ang problem, wala namang laman ung ATM ko kasi wini-withdraw ko lahat ng laman non tapos hindi talaga ako naglalagay ng maraming pera sa wallet ko, iniiwan ko sa bahay. Nakakahiya talaga. Sa patung-patong na kahihiyang inabot ko, hindi na ako bumalik sa Mercury Drug. At kahit kailan, hindi na ako bibili doon. Siguro after two years na lang. Hay!

Kakahiya talaga. Ang worst pa sa lahat, 'yung isa sa nakapila sa likod ko sa drugstore, isa din doon sa nasa loob ng Maxicare! Nakakaloka talaga. Cute pa naman siya tapos nag-smile pa siya sa akin bago ako umalis ng Mercury Drug! Nakakahiya talga. Turn off. Hindi ko alam kung naaliw siya or pinagtatawanan niya ang nag-uumapaw kong ka-eng-engan nung day na 'yon!

Whew! Whattaday! Umuwi tuloy akong mukhang engot at walang gamot! At habang bumibiyahe pauwi, nagmistulang New Year's Celebration sa loob ng bus dahil hindi lang dalawa ang umuubo -- puwede na kaming bumuo ng choir!!!

I have moved to a new home

http://janisluvj.wordpress.com