After being holed up for days with the thick HP7 tome and getting to the happily ever after, I emerged into the world blurry eyed and found that I have been bitten by the lethargic bug!
It is highly dangerous as it rendered me practically boneless, aimless, lazy and totally unproductive! Thus, the lack of attention to posts in this blog...err...more like lack of posts in this blog in recent times.
This lethargic bug is in fact almost invisible to the human eye and almost often struck when you least expect it.
Its after-effects are disastrous. You will suddenly curl up in a ball with no desire to do anything but sleep and just lay there doing nothing. When hunger strikes, you only crave for the ultra sinful of chocolates and ice cream. You will wince at the thought of having to chew at all especially vegetables!
As for any other form of activities, it has all been reduced to nothing, nada, zilch. Going to work is highly impossible as you will be so boneless you could hardly get around.
And if you do manage to get to work, you will find your brain is no better than mulch and your productivity level is below that of a one-day-old newborn baby.
You will not be able to think rationally and all efforts to get you to work will result in you snapping at the offending specimen who dared to encroach into your personal space to make you work.
The only cure is to vegetate in front of the tv for hours on end until the infection clears up. So far, no modern medicine can negate the effects of this bug bite. There are no antibiotics, no anti-serum, no vaccine.
So, beware! It is unknown how the bug choses its victims but please, do not blame Harry Potter. After all he had to contend with Nargles and the likes of Voldemort.
Monday
Tuesday
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows
It is finally OUT! I have the much-awaited book in my tight grasp and despite my earlier impatience to get my hands on it, I find myself reading it slowly, somewhat reluctantly.
It is the last book after all and it finally sank in that this will be the last of Harry Potter (no, I don't mean last as in dead), the last of magical spellbinding journeys in Hogwarts.
From what I have read so far, Rowling focuses much on discrimination in this final book. Far from it being racial or religious, she cleverly uses discrimination against Mudbloods and muggle-born wizards.
It struck a familiar chord as racial and religious discrimination is very much real in the real world. People are still being discriminated against because of their skin colour and their religious beliefs despite what all the governments in the world advocates.
I do think that she intend her readers to read between the lines and learn the lessons there, that discrimination against a person just because he or she does not fit into one group or another is downright cruel.
But then, we all know life is never fair. Good does not always triumph over evil (again, not in reference to the book!). Politicians are never honest. Ministers are often crooks. Hogwarts and Harry Potter are just a clever author's creations.
I have only read a quarter of the book and though it is still good, the pace is fast but the draw is not there. The spell that kept me glued to it was not there. Sure, there is the suspense of uncovering answers to 'what happens to Harry' and 'will the prophecy be fulfilled?' and the great Snape debate but other than that...hmmm...let's just hope it gets better.
It is the last book after all and it finally sank in that this will be the last of Harry Potter (no, I don't mean last as in dead), the last of magical spellbinding journeys in Hogwarts.
From what I have read so far, Rowling focuses much on discrimination in this final book. Far from it being racial or religious, she cleverly uses discrimination against Mudbloods and muggle-born wizards.
It struck a familiar chord as racial and religious discrimination is very much real in the real world. People are still being discriminated against because of their skin colour and their religious beliefs despite what all the governments in the world advocates.
I do think that she intend her readers to read between the lines and learn the lessons there, that discrimination against a person just because he or she does not fit into one group or another is downright cruel.
But then, we all know life is never fair. Good does not always triumph over evil (again, not in reference to the book!). Politicians are never honest. Ministers are often crooks. Hogwarts and Harry Potter are just a clever author's creations.
I have only read a quarter of the book and though it is still good, the pace is fast but the draw is not there. The spell that kept me glued to it was not there. Sure, there is the suspense of uncovering answers to 'what happens to Harry' and 'will the prophecy be fulfilled?' and the great Snape debate but other than that...hmmm...let's just hope it gets better.
Wednesday
Lethargic and busy and Pottermania
I have been lagging behind in my blogging and my private pet projects. Due to an onslaught of work in the office, I have been unable to steal some time to enter a post or work on my manuscripts. I was not even able to take a breather!
Anyway, I have been kind of lethargic too as I do not know what should I post anymore. I have so many topics banging around my head, I don't know which one to do first. Time is another factor as I have to find some time to do it!
Also, I am all excited over the upcoming release of the final book of the Harry Potter series. I may read a lot of romances and thrillers but I am also a Potter fan. I became hooked to the series due to all the hype over Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone some years back. There were numerous reviews on the book. It really piqued my interest so I went and got a copy to read for myself what all that hype was about. The rest is history because after that first book, I was hooked. Addicted. I immediately went out to grab the second and third book. I was like a Potter junkie and impatient for the next book.
Finally, Rowling has completed the last most anticipated and awaited book to round up the whole series. I hope all this wait is worth it because frankly, the fifth and sixth book did not leave much of an impression in me. Neither did the fourth book. Sure, the plot thickens and things were explained, people die and Voldemort makes his appearance but still....it didn't hold the same spell. At least, not for me. But the books are still well written, the plots interesting and the story progresses. I guess, as a whole set, all of it are good but individually, it's a different matter.
Oddly enough, or not so odd after all, it reminded me of my fascination with the Narnia series. It also comes in a set of seven books and some of it, as an individual book, is not very remarkable while some left a lasting impression in me.
Well, in a few more days, I shall know how Rowling is going to wrap it all up nicely. Judging from how her books became darker with each new release, I would not be surprised that the seventh book do not have a happy ending.
We shall see.
Anyway, I have been kind of lethargic too as I do not know what should I post anymore. I have so many topics banging around my head, I don't know which one to do first. Time is another factor as I have to find some time to do it!
Also, I am all excited over the upcoming release of the final book of the Harry Potter series. I may read a lot of romances and thrillers but I am also a Potter fan. I became hooked to the series due to all the hype over Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone some years back. There were numerous reviews on the book. It really piqued my interest so I went and got a copy to read for myself what all that hype was about. The rest is history because after that first book, I was hooked. Addicted. I immediately went out to grab the second and third book. I was like a Potter junkie and impatient for the next book.
Finally, Rowling has completed the last most anticipated and awaited book to round up the whole series. I hope all this wait is worth it because frankly, the fifth and sixth book did not leave much of an impression in me. Neither did the fourth book. Sure, the plot thickens and things were explained, people die and Voldemort makes his appearance but still....it didn't hold the same spell. At least, not for me. But the books are still well written, the plots interesting and the story progresses. I guess, as a whole set, all of it are good but individually, it's a different matter.
Oddly enough, or not so odd after all, it reminded me of my fascination with the Narnia series. It also comes in a set of seven books and some of it, as an individual book, is not very remarkable while some left a lasting impression in me.
Well, in a few more days, I shall know how Rowling is going to wrap it all up nicely. Judging from how her books became darker with each new release, I would not be surprised that the seventh book do not have a happy ending.
We shall see.
Castles in the air
I have always been a dreamer.
Never does a day past that I didn't spend seconds, minutes and hours letting my mind wander aimlessly.
Sometimes it will go where no men dared tread, to flirt and court with the many morbid mysteries of death, ghosts, demons and the supernatural.
Many have accused me of being morbid when I mentioned thinking about death and what happens after death but for me, what is so taboo about it after all? Everyone dies. No one is immortal (except for the cheerleader in Heroes). So, why the fear?
As for ghosts, demons and the supernatural, these are sentient beings that many do not believe exists. Having seen a few ghosts (honestly! I did see a few and I am not insane) and heard stories about demons and the supernatural which is very much a part of the Asian culture, it is only natural for me to think about them and what are they, where they hang out and what they do all day. Do they have jobs? Do they have families like humans? Things like that.
At times my mind wanders into the haphazard worlds of my characters, who are all sitting around waiting for me to finish telling their stories so that I could get their stories out to publishers and hopefully accepted and published for the world to read.
Often, my characters would take me on weird but interesting journeys into their worlds and they would often lament my lack of speediness in telling their life stories to the real world.
Occasionally I would wander into the 'what if' realm.
We all have our 'what if I suddenly received $1mil' moments and I am no exception.
In younger days, I would dream of frittering away the million bucks on books, clothes and food. As I grow older, the list grew to add in a house and a car. And in recent times, perhaps due to the influence of people around me, the list was erased. The million bucks would be invested in safe government bonds or other safe investments and let it grow. I would use it as the base to make more money and once I reach the target of say, two to three million, I would stop. I'll still leave the original million tied up in investments to continue making money while the extra millions would be used to fulfill whatever material needs I have always lusted after. Of course, it would also mean I will be able to finally quit my job, finally be a stay-at-home mom and fulfill my life-long dream of becoming a romance writer. Part of all that money would also go to charities and organisations I have always supported such as the WWF and RSPCA. It's not because I want to look good as a generous donor but I truly wanted to help and since these organisations are always short of funds, it is the best way to help.
Then when I tire of the 'what if' game, my mind wanders on to concoct evil schemes to get rid of my in-laws once and for all. I am sure almost all married women and men out there can't stand their in-laws and no wonder. It seemed that in-laws are put there to torture and made the lives of their sons and daughters-in-laws' a total hell. My hubby is lucky in a sense that my mom, when she was alive, lived in another country halfway across the world from us and my dad who practically does not even bother to call us unless we called him to pay him a visit. My in-laws are totally different to the point that I have thought up various ways to get rid of them and get away with it!
When guilt over my evil scheming starts to act up, I let my mind wander back to my past and start wondering what had happened to that thin male teacher who taught me history for two years.
Daydreaming has always been a fun activity for me and some may think it is a total waste of time, I felt it has helped me through many tough times, taught me lessons, gave me story ideas and most importantly, kept me alive with imagination and creativity!
Never does a day past that I didn't spend seconds, minutes and hours letting my mind wander aimlessly.
Sometimes it will go where no men dared tread, to flirt and court with the many morbid mysteries of death, ghosts, demons and the supernatural.
Many have accused me of being morbid when I mentioned thinking about death and what happens after death but for me, what is so taboo about it after all? Everyone dies. No one is immortal (except for the cheerleader in Heroes). So, why the fear?
As for ghosts, demons and the supernatural, these are sentient beings that many do not believe exists. Having seen a few ghosts (honestly! I did see a few and I am not insane) and heard stories about demons and the supernatural which is very much a part of the Asian culture, it is only natural for me to think about them and what are they, where they hang out and what they do all day. Do they have jobs? Do they have families like humans? Things like that.
At times my mind wanders into the haphazard worlds of my characters, who are all sitting around waiting for me to finish telling their stories so that I could get their stories out to publishers and hopefully accepted and published for the world to read.
Often, my characters would take me on weird but interesting journeys into their worlds and they would often lament my lack of speediness in telling their life stories to the real world.
Occasionally I would wander into the 'what if' realm.
We all have our 'what if I suddenly received $1mil' moments and I am no exception.
In younger days, I would dream of frittering away the million bucks on books, clothes and food. As I grow older, the list grew to add in a house and a car. And in recent times, perhaps due to the influence of people around me, the list was erased. The million bucks would be invested in safe government bonds or other safe investments and let it grow. I would use it as the base to make more money and once I reach the target of say, two to three million, I would stop. I'll still leave the original million tied up in investments to continue making money while the extra millions would be used to fulfill whatever material needs I have always lusted after. Of course, it would also mean I will be able to finally quit my job, finally be a stay-at-home mom and fulfill my life-long dream of becoming a romance writer. Part of all that money would also go to charities and organisations I have always supported such as the WWF and RSPCA. It's not because I want to look good as a generous donor but I truly wanted to help and since these organisations are always short of funds, it is the best way to help.
Then when I tire of the 'what if' game, my mind wanders on to concoct evil schemes to get rid of my in-laws once and for all. I am sure almost all married women and men out there can't stand their in-laws and no wonder. It seemed that in-laws are put there to torture and made the lives of their sons and daughters-in-laws' a total hell. My hubby is lucky in a sense that my mom, when she was alive, lived in another country halfway across the world from us and my dad who practically does not even bother to call us unless we called him to pay him a visit. My in-laws are totally different to the point that I have thought up various ways to get rid of them and get away with it!
When guilt over my evil scheming starts to act up, I let my mind wander back to my past and start wondering what had happened to that thin male teacher who taught me history for two years.
Daydreaming has always been a fun activity for me and some may think it is a total waste of time, I felt it has helped me through many tough times, taught me lessons, gave me story ideas and most importantly, kept me alive with imagination and creativity!
Disappearing act and dieting
Between work and family obligations, I have been so caught up and busy for the past weeks that I did not even realise I have not posted anything for a full month!
I remember starting to write a post or two but somehow got interrupted and the post ended up empty and abandoned.
One of the post was to gleefully announce my successful weight loss! I've lost almost 20lbs in the past five months and am darn proud of it! The most amazing part are the inches lost! I lost about 6in off my waistline and dozens more on my upper body, hips and thighs.
I am so happy that I can now fit into a size 10 that I went out to celebrate with chocolates and ice creams!
Though not exactly deprived of my favourite desserts during my Shapeworks/Herbalife diet, as I sometimes do give in and indulge in a chocolate bar or two, I still missed stuffing myself silly with chocolate peanut butter ice cream, chocolate fudge ice cream, dark chocolate, sneakers, Oreos, anything with the word chocolate in it!
Now I weigh 132lbs for my 5'5" medium frame. Though still not my ideal weight and I am still considered a tad on the heavy side for my frame and height, I am happy as it is. My hubby has no complains. I can fit into all my pre-pregnancy clothes and even clothes I bought more than ten years ago. Life is good! I feel healthier and more lively!
I still exercise daily with morning walks and Denise Austin's floor exercise routines. I continue to take the protein shakes once a day instead of twice a day. I made sure to eat healthy meals and allow myself desserts and snacks. Moderation is the key to everything!
Perhaps I may even try to lose another 10lbs to reach my ideal weight but this time, it is not because someone said something nasty to me, it is because I want to show that I can do it if I set my sight to it.
Let's just hope I do not become pregnant again.....
I remember starting to write a post or two but somehow got interrupted and the post ended up empty and abandoned.
One of the post was to gleefully announce my successful weight loss! I've lost almost 20lbs in the past five months and am darn proud of it! The most amazing part are the inches lost! I lost about 6in off my waistline and dozens more on my upper body, hips and thighs.
I am so happy that I can now fit into a size 10 that I went out to celebrate with chocolates and ice creams!
Though not exactly deprived of my favourite desserts during my Shapeworks/Herbalife diet, as I sometimes do give in and indulge in a chocolate bar or two, I still missed stuffing myself silly with chocolate peanut butter ice cream, chocolate fudge ice cream, dark chocolate, sneakers, Oreos, anything with the word chocolate in it!
Now I weigh 132lbs for my 5'5" medium frame. Though still not my ideal weight and I am still considered a tad on the heavy side for my frame and height, I am happy as it is. My hubby has no complains. I can fit into all my pre-pregnancy clothes and even clothes I bought more than ten years ago. Life is good! I feel healthier and more lively!
I still exercise daily with morning walks and Denise Austin's floor exercise routines. I continue to take the protein shakes once a day instead of twice a day. I made sure to eat healthy meals and allow myself desserts and snacks. Moderation is the key to everything!
Perhaps I may even try to lose another 10lbs to reach my ideal weight but this time, it is not because someone said something nasty to me, it is because I want to show that I can do it if I set my sight to it.
Let's just hope I do not become pregnant again.....
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