Whose Opinion Really Matters

I found myself wondering one day whose opinion matters to me most. Was it my parent’s, my friend’s, my special someone, my co-worker’s, my acquaintances? The list goes on and on causing me to stop, think, and actually reflect.

I’ve met and seen people who- in the midst of wanting to fit in, all they had ever cared about is how people sees them. And I feel quite sad for them. ‘Cause, it might be so sad to live out your life trying to please everyone, trying to make everyone think better of you- that you lose yourself in the process. I’ve also met people in whom all that ever comes out of their lips are things that they can brag about- whether it be the brand of their clothes, their shoes, or their bags. They look down on people who they think can’t afford such luxuries. And yes, I was subjected to such kinds of pressures.- of wanting to fit in to get a little respect. 

It was then that I realized, their opinions never really mattered to me. I really didn’t care whether they think I’m rich or not, intelligent or not. Yes, it made me angry when they choose to think I have less of a brain that I actually have, but then again, I chose to walk away. I realized that at the end of the day, it’s not their opinions that matter most to me. Not even my parent’s, my friend’s, or my special someone. The opinion that mattered to me was God’s. 

Because when the time comes, God won’t ask me what brand of clothes I wore, or where I bought my shoe, or whether I ate at expensive restaurants or not; He would ask me, what I have in my heart. If my heart was honest, and strong. If my mind was innocent. And if He stripped me down to my very core, would He see a person He can call His child, or would I be a disappointment.

It is not wrong to prove yourself to someone who thinks less of you. It’s not even wrong to try to fit in to avoid confrontation. It only becomes wrong when you lose yourself in the process. When you don’t even know who you truly are anymore. I leave you with a quote that really made me think:

“Do what you love and what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid of what other people would think or say, because even if you do everything that pleases them, people always have something to say.”

Mortal Instruments: A Sexy and Dangerous Ride

I've been ranting on and on about Mortal Instruments trying to get my other friends to read it too, but only now did I get a chance and the time to blog about it. And now I'm stuck with how I can possible start to write about the series that held my attention and my heart for quite some time now. So I think I'll start off by warning you that some information might spoil you. If you don't want to be spoiled then maybe you should think twice on reading the following post. ☺

The Plot

The Mortal Instruments series is originally consisted of three books: The City of Bones, City of Ashes and City of Glass. The first two books of the Mortal Instruments series takes place in the urban part of the city that never sleeps- New York City. It is dark, dirty, with the characters that makes the story sexy and dangerous. The series is about Clary Fray a normal teenage girl who lived with her mother, who parties with her best friend Simon, complete with the normal teenage angsts. But one fateful night in Pandemonium, she saw and met Jace- who was dispatching a vampire, and the wierdest part of it was, only Clary can see them. From that moment on, Clary's life begin to take a surprising turn that left her world upside down. With her mother held hostage and the secrets about her life that has been kept from her began to unfold in a breathtaking whirlwind of events, she could only make herself brave enough and trust Jace to face this world that was a stranger to her and brace herself for the ride that could change her life forever.

The plot of the Mortal Instruments Series, is in my opinion very unique. On the outset it might seem like your typical Young Adult/ Fantasy book genre that is complete with vampires, werewolves, magical items, and forbidden romance. But if you take the time and read through it, you would discover a unique treasure that you cannot bring yourself to put down. A one of a kind plot full of twists and turns, and intertwined fates.

The Characters

Aside from the plot, the characters of the Mortal Instruments series are all very charming yet dangerous, and lovable- even some of the villains! ^__^

Jace Wayland - My Perfectly Perfect Hero

How will I start to describe Jace? How can I possibly put to words what I feel every time I hear or read his name? ^__^ I guess I'll start with the basics:

Name: Jace Wayland (City of Bones); Jonathan Christopher Wayland (end of City of Bones);
           spoiler alert!! Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern (City of Ashes)
Occupation: Shadow Hunter- said to be the best of his age ^__^
History: Orphaned at a young age by the murder of his father, he lives with the Lightwoods at the Institute in New York City.
Physical Description: golden hair, eyes, and skin, making him popular with girls

Jace Wayland may be the sexiest hero ever written. He may be arrogant, reckless, and at times his actions seem suicidal, but deep inside is an honest, thoughtful, and very caring young man. He truly is a wounded hero having to witness the so-called death of his father. He never truly opened up and felt at home towards anyone, not even  towards his stepsiblings Alec and Isabelle Lightwood. But when Clary entered his life, he suddenly became alive.

I love Jace's character because he shows vulnerability, his thoughtlessnes. He is indeed perfect, but because of his imperfections that I came to love him more than any other hero I've read about. He can be really reckless, and hurtful but with a single honest words, I find myself catching my breath hoping that he is real. ^__^ I love how he cares about Clary, and how he can't deny to himself what he feels about her. How it was described on how his eyes always seem to fall on Clary and how his eyes seem to follow her wherever she was in a room. I love the truthfulness and the honesty of his feelings towards her, even if he doesn't seem to say it out loud. With Jace, the quote "Action speaks louder than words", seem quite true indeed. ^__^ I could go on and on about how I love Jace Wayland, but no words can bring him justice. You just have to read about him for you to know what it really feels like to fall in love with a fictional character. :)

Clarissa Fray- The not-so-damsel in distress Heroine

Name: Clarissa Fray (City of Bones)
            spoiler alert!! Clarissa Morgenstern (end of City of Bones)
Occupation: normal human (City of Bones), Shadow Hunter (end of City of Bones)
History: a Shadowhunter brought up as human by her mother for her protection
Physical Description: a little over 5 feet tall and has wavy red hair

It is not surprising when I say that I absolutely loved Clary's character. She's unlike other heroine who waits for someone to come and make everything right in her life. She is the kind of person who knows what and who her priorities are and is brave enough to go and get things done. She is brave because of her love- her love for her mother, for Jace and for her friends. I love how she can put her "love" problems aside, and prioritize saving her mother or her friends. She isn't the type of girl who would go mopping around, crying her eyes out whenever something bad happens between her and Jace. I love how pure and innocent her love is for Jace, and her love for her mother- despite all the secrets she kept from her. I commend her for recognizing Luke as her father, because for her- family is more that sharing the same blood, the same DNA. ^__^ For me, Clary is one of the best heroines an author could ever write about. ^__^

Valentine Morgenstern- The Misunderstood  Villain


Name: Valentine Morgenstern
Occupation:powerful, evil yet charming Shadow Hunter
History: he is consumed by the belief that he must purify the Shadowhunter race and convinced of the righteousness of his cause, there is nothing he will not do to eradicate the earth of anything associated with vampires, werewolves and faeries.
Physical Description:with white hair, strong and large build

I don't know why, but I can't seem to bring myself to hate Valentine. Maybe because despite all his evil actions, you could sense how he truly loved Jocelyn and how pure his intentions are towards purifying the Shadowhunter race- though it was totally twisted and psychotic.

I could go on and write about all the main characters of Mortal Instruments but I'm afraid I don't have much time for that. ^__^ I hope you can read the series to truly get to know all the appealing and lovable characters of Mortal Instruments.

My Final Take on the Series

I have read my share of YA/Fantasy book genre and even read a couple of romance novels, but up till now, nothing compares to this series. I can still remember all the unforgetable moments, the most quotable quotes like I have only read the series yesterday. It is a series full of wit, sarcasm, humor, horror and thrill. It has everything that makes you don't want to stop reading and put it aside. It has the quality to be one of the best YA genre if people would give it a chance. But one thing's for sure, I would want to re-read it again and again until I can memorize each line, each encounter ^__^ haha I think I'm starting to or I am obsessed with the series. I'm looking forward to have that date with Jace and pretend I'm Clary once again. ^__^

That's it for now! I hope I gave enough justice to the series. :) I'm off to re-reading City of Ashes. Ta-ta!!

Welcome 2010!!

Yes, yes, I know it's pretty late to be welcoming 2010 when it's nearly the middle of January. And yet, I still feel like welcoming 2010 officially here in my new blog. ☻ So start off the year, I want to show you some of the things that caught my attention during the first week of January, and of course some my personal most essential things for 2010. ^__^

First off, I found this picture in my FaceBook account, and found it really sweet and really true! Men like these really are LIMITED EDITION. It's like being in a sale, you have to grab one that's really the best and hold on to it, cause once you put it down, someone might try to rip it right under your nose. 'Cause like being in a sale, there's no mass production of a particular item. ^__~  So if you have a man like this, hold on to him and don't let other people rip him right off your grasps! :)

Hmmm... Moving on... I've been looking for a particular planner/journal since the last week of December till the first week of January. I've been through eBay but found the Korean Planners really expensive! I just can't bring myself to spend that much money on something I can't really commit to using. So instead, I found the next best thing.

I went to this "Korean store" called Kore Kore at Rizal Sta. Ana, Davao. It's a small place, but my friend told me they have cute goods. So I said, why not and gave it a try. In there I found what I've been looking for. It wasn't really a planner/journal I found but a cute little and medium size notebook perfect for what I had in mind.

These are what I found. :) It's pretty simple but I like it ^__^

Then, I finally convinced myself to but Julia Quinn's "The Viscount Who Loved Me". I've already read 6 of 8 series of the Bridgerton Series and I absolutely fell in love with it. My personal favorites are "The Duke and I", The Viscount Who Loved Me", and "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton". I might come back for some reviews, and I hope you would be able to read them. It's one of the best Historical/ Romance Novels I've come to love.

 And with the coming of 2010, I said to myself that I should spend more time with God. Yes, I pray everyday. Actually in all honesty, I pray a lot. But starting this year, I want to be able to spend time, even at least 5min of my day, to stop, read and reflect God's gospels. So, went and bought my self, my favorite Daily Devitional Book, "The Experience".  I like this book because it's easy to read, and it's full of honest reflections, and some explanations of the verses, that really makes you realize things.

With these, I'm good for now. :) I'm excited for all the things to come this year of 2010. I hope that this year will bring peace, harmony, good health and prosperity to my family, my friends, my self, and to you. ^_~ Let us thank all the blessings of 2009, and let us rejoice for this new year :)