"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
-Unknown

Friday 19 July 2013

Giveaway: Win Raisie Speaks+ Firmoo Eyeglasses!

Who has not heard of Firmoo?

Firmoo is the Global Online Optical Store that is generously offering practical and stylish eyeglasses for everyone. Firmoo has a complete line of computer glasses, fashion sunglasses and even classic series that come in many designs. If you need specialty eyewear and have a specific prescription, you can get inexpensive eyeglasses with high quality so that you can access good eyewear and see better.

Some time ago, Firmoo offered me free eyeglasses and I still have them up to this day.


Here are some personal picks from the classic series.




You can join and win $20 e-vouchers which you can use to purchase Firmoo eyewear so that you can give their products a try. There will be six grand winners of this giveaway, however if the number of participants will be over forty, there will be one grand prize winner as long as their shipping address provided is serviceable, then all is well and good. 

Only those who leave a valid comment telling which eyeglasses from the classic series you would want will be regarded as valid participants. You can also be a part of the Firmoo First Pair Free Program so that you and your family can test out the eyewear from Firmoo. If the total number of participants reach over 80, well that's all and good, yours truly can also win a free pair.

All you need to do is follow the mechanics and be sure to check your email regularly just in case you won!

So are you ready? Get set. Go!


Wednesday 17 July 2013

Book Review: The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman

How fast do you think you can finish a book? My reading speed is all ups and downs but my friends at my reading group can read fast and even finish 4-6 books in a month, even more! Yeah, I am back with my book reviews. This one is a little overdue which got me thinking that I should review books as soon as I finish them. I've still got my eyes on new books from the supplier, and I am on a lookout for other book blogs that will be willing to exchange links with me, if you are interested, would you let me know? Hint: leave a comment below...

I have already mentioned that I started reading Strange Pilgrims by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and didn't get beyond the introduction. I can't help feeling sad that I can't read it when I want to. It just won't load... I don't even know how this could happen, I have yet to figure it out. But I also think it comes at a reasonable time when I have a lot of projects to finish and both my parents are home, I have had a blast spending time with them together to make up for the bonding moments that we missed the past three months.

So on to the book review...



Highlights of the Book: Themes, Issues and Characterization
(Warning: May Contain Spoilers) 

Some issues and themes worth noting in this book is the balance of work and personal lives, as well as trying to maintain the professionalism in the workplace. As the correspondents strive to meet deadlines, there is the issue of a 50 year old publication staying afloat in the dot com era.

I liked that this came from the perspective of a staff operating an international newspaper. The issues touched were meaningful, and that these are the stories of ordinary people. Instead of a bulk of it being just one perspective, it is a breakdown of various characters and their relevance to their workplace. Tom Rachman gives a varied voice and style for the different characters, even just the supporting ones. It seems that this is a young author to look out for.

The themes that the book touches are love and family life, career and security, and faithfulness or loyalty. Each chapter in the book provides a glimpse in the life of each employee, and in between, there is the history behind the international newspaper, of how it started, but the true reason behind why it was founded is not revealed until the last two chapters. What goes on beyond the professional surface is more intriguing compared to how each correspondent and editor deals with in the workplace.

As for issues, enter the battle of the printed word and daily circulation of an international newspaper versus digital content that can be downloaded and shared in seconds. Usually the thin line is crossed between the relevance and truth of news reporting versus sensationalized stories. Here, the rich stories and challenges of being in the journalism profession is told. I can also personally relate to this side because of my involveent with the printed word having been a scriptwriter and editor in the past.


 The character I could truly relate with is Kathleen, the editor in chief of the paper because I somehow admire her drive and her ambition, being a tough woman in the workplace otherwise dominated by men, and the way she checks facts to protect the paper's credibility. Also, the obituary writer has quite a transformation as he transforms from a lazy but dedicated father to a work-committed editor but unfocused husband.

I also like that each chapter is titled with newspaper headlines which are parallel to each character's story and experiences-this is a novel way of introducing memorable characters to the reader.

Who Could Enjoy The Book 

This book is for people who are curious about what it means to be a print journalist in the midst of a dot com age where reporters from all over the world are facing, and how an international print newspaper can survive. Also, if you are curious as to how the balance between personal life and working life is achieved or rather in constant turmoil, then this book is for you. 


About the Author

People still write good books. 

That's what Discovery said about Tom Rachman and he is considered as one of the best discoveries of 2010, including Andrew Garfield. 

Tom Rachman was born in 1974 in London, but grew up in Vancouver. He studied cinema at the University of Toronto and completed a Master's degree in Journalism at Columbia University in New York. From 1998, he worked as an editor at the foreign desk of The Associated Press in New York then did a stint as a correspondent in India and Sri Lanka, before returning to New York. He was sent to Rome in 2002 as an AP correspondent where his assignments brought him to Japan, South Korea, Egypt and Turkey. He began as a part time editor in 2006 at the International Herald Tribune in Paris in order to support himself while writing fiction. He currently resides in London and is working on his second novel. 


What Other People Are Saying About The Book

It seems that I am not the only one who is quite happy about this book. Other book groups have shared their reactions and you can view them here





If you happen to like this book and pick up this copy, would you want to let me know? 
What types of books capture your interest? 


Thursday 11 July 2013

New Sample Room Goodies

How have you all been? I can't believe that a lot can happen in just a week. But that's life, and it all depends on how fast you can react to the events, and how well one can manage it all.

I am just glad my e-library is back. That only means that I can continue my reading habits. However, I have encountered problems with the title that I am most interested in. Every other title seems to load just fine. I have to look into the memory card though.

But blogwise, I have some surprises coming in store for you this month. You might want to look out for the next posts here and follow me on Bloglovin to be the first to know.

Here are some goodies that I received from Sample Room. You can watch out for the reviews for these products soon. In the meantime, I won't stay long, I have a huge project that I have to finish and I hope you all are having a good week. Hang in there, tomorrow is Friday!


Clickables

Bloglovin

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Currently Reading: Strange Pilgrims by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I'm on a hold right now from reading because I have a ton of writing tasks that are too technical and just getting the facts straight is tricky alone. Another thing is that Momsy is on travel and she brought the digicam and tablet with her which puts my reading on hold too and that leaves me with more beauty products review without any suitable photos to use just yet.

Behind the scenes, I am babysitting our one-year old Fiona. She whines every thirty seconds. But I still let her rest on my lap and cover her with a blanket when she feels cold.


So, I shall wait for my ebook library to arrive then and write as fast as I can on those technical reports and writing tasks. But for next month my reading group in Goodreads have chosen Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita for the discussion. Momsy is reading Tolstoy right now. Does this mean I should go for an actual ebook reader instead of just a tablet?

Ok, ok, ok, currently reading (but put to a halt) Strange Pilgrims by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. (I can't believe I still have not posted my review on Tom Rachman's The Imperfectionists...)

G.G. Marquez is an old-favorite of mine, I got to collect and read many of his novels except Strange Pilgrims. Everybody else knows that I like to read his works, but every time someone goes out of town and passes by the bigger bookstores, I am always unlucky. Now that I have the ebook, it went traveling without me. But I can still wait...

In the meantime, here is a compilation of all the splendid book covers for your inspiration. I've always had his books in Random House editions, but there are other book covers that are even more impressive.






 What are you currently reading, avoiding, completing? 
Follow me on Bloglovin? 

Monday 1 July 2013

On Fragrances: Pink Shimmer and Shine in Pretty and Pure


I got this when a friend of mine brought quite a haul in the office. So yes, I fell for it at first scent. I have to say that the package is an instant favourite because I am a big fan of teal and everything that falls in its radar. I am feeling that it is a good buy as soon as I saw it, and I will be sharing my reasons why.


About the Company

I think anyone who has a relative in the States and has received a balikbayan box knows or has tried some Pink products in the past. Pink is Victoria’s Secret’s sister company which has expanded into so many products already, from underwear, beauty products, sporting attire, shoes and fragrances, now they are introducing bags and totes. There are so many merchandise that they are conjuring up, it takes a girl quite a good amount of self control to decide which are really the essentials. As for me, I am content with this particular body splash. What's a girl on a budget to do?

Price

I got this 75ml bottle for only Php 350, so it must be a sale price of approximately $8.75. The regular items I see on the site are over $15-25 if these come in full size. I think it is already a good value for me, and I got to save on other fees, so yes, definitely a keeper. 

About the Product

The print on the bottle says that it is a sparkling body mist, and yes it is definitely sparkly! I like small bottles because I can toss them in my bag no matter how small it is and then carry them around no matter where I am. I usually head to the mountains for the weekends and then go back to the city when the week starts again. I also need some calming scents to help me start my day.

Who Is It For?

Pink's Pretty and Pure Sparkling Body Mist is for those who like:
  • Subtle and refreshing scents
  • Shimmery products to reflect on the skin 
  • Candy bubblegum reminiscent fragrances

Pros 

I like that it offers:
  • Fresh feeling
  • Smells pleasant and becomes subtle as time goes on
  • Not too sweet and not overpowering
  • Reasonable bargain price thanks to my friend 
  • Compact travel size bottle 
  • Non-irritating

Cons

I don’t like that:
  • It is too shimmery
  • Creamy and milky texture that make it appear like lotion
  • There is something wrong with the spritzer, it does not spritz it just gives a spurt and I need to rub it on my skin and it wastes an amount of product
  • It is inaccessible, I don't see it on sale even in their own site and I have to see yet if they offer it here

The Verdict

I find that Pretty and Pure is a calming scent that I really like. At the rate of how I spritz it, it will be consumed in no time. I am pleased with this product but I am sad that it is no longer on sale in the site.