Valentine Flowers

Flowers are a traditional gift on St. Valentine's Day. And during this special day, flower prices double uncontrollably. If work or school keeps one busy by getting to the nearest florist on February 14, or the wallet just isn't cooperating and the result is a run out of roses, do not worry too much. There are other flowers that are just as romantic and meaningful.

Orchids are simple, beautiful and long-lasting. My grandmother used to take care of a whole range of orchids, of different colors and types. Orchids represent (I didn't realize just until lately) love, beauty, seduction and refinement. They dwell in in semi-tropical regions in Asia and South and Central America.

Lilies are a representation of beauty. They stood for tenderness and were referred to the voice of the muses in Greek poetry.

I think that Daisies are the friendliest of flowers. They mean innocence, loyalty, love and purity. The daisy was described by Chaucer in his writings as the "day's eye."

Roses are always the classic blooms to find their way anywhere on Valentine's Day. They are considered to be the most romantic and beautiful flowers to give to someone special. 

Here in Zamboanga, I got a chance to chat with the florists in good ol' San Jose Road. They said that prices this week are still at regular rates, from Php 130-180 but beginning Monday of next week, that's February 13, bouquets will be priced at Php 300-900. 

This as the demand of flowers has increased, and some of the suppliers are based in Cebu. Awaited stocks were supposed to arrive Tuesday morning but were delayed and shipped later, arriving on Thursday afternoon due to the earthquake and its aftershock in the Visayas area.

Stall owners have now included balloons beginning at Php 35-50 depending on sizes and desings, artificial flowers and other novelty items to sell in celebration of Valentine's Day creating a one-stop shop in the local floral row. 

Book Window Shopping

I really don't  know what's the right term for what I'm doing lately, so it's best if I describe it instead. 

The past few days, I've been restraining myself from purchasing books from my suppliers. Since last month, all of them have posted announcements that they will be uploading new stocks on this date and that site. I still have a stack of unread books at home and promised myself not to spend on new ones unless I have read all of those waiting for me in the room. And I am so intent on saving up for this summer's getaway that I need all the bucks I can save. So I have become a little self-conscious when it comes to buying more books. So the temptation is always there whenever I open my Multiply account and all the notifications of NEW BOOK UPLOADS start screaming at me and I do permit a sneak peek for a few minutes. And then I exit. 

It's like I found myself in a mall with rows of rows of bookstores and went to look at the shelves, then I lift and touch them, look at the price tags, try to remember how much cash I have in my wallet, and retrace the nearest ATM machine, and then put back the book on the shelf without looking back and leave the store. That's just how it feels. Book Window Shopping. 

But I keep repeating my mantra: summer vacation. Summer vacation. Summer vacation. 

So if there are some book worms who do want to grab some books to read out there, or who are in the same pain as I am, here, I'm sharing the torture with you. (wink, wink)

Life Is Like A Book Page: This online bookstore is managed by Maricar, a full-time working Mom who is so accommodating and has a love for books more than storage space in her home. Contests and giveaways are available all year round. 

Mad About Books: The shop owner is also a book blogger, and her personification of a book in the home page is just fun to read!

Hi there! I'm one of the books being sold here and I'm just very happy that you found the time to drop by! It could get pretty boring without someone reading me. I've been stuck here for ages and I would just love for someone to read the beautiful words written by my wonderful author.

Aside from me, your book, I'm also sandwiched in between a variety of comics and hygienic products such as Baktolin and Sterilium.

Oh well, that's all for now! I really hope you'll check out my other friends in the catalogue! We're just dying to find a new owner to spread our good story to so many other people! :)

Mad About Books
Great Finds for Less!

Bookstore Atbp: Ems has the widest selection of fiction and non-fiction books and gives away volume discounts. She believes that reading is as important as eating and breathing.

"But I think the most important reason I read is for meaning. I believe that when an author writes a book, she or he does it because they want to say that there is something meaningful about how people live in this world. And we can learn from that. "

 Julie's Sari Sari Store: Here are some books that are second-hand but are in excellent condition and at half the price. Browse to your heart's content. There is a wishlist section and other items up for sale too. 

Read and Write

Not so much happening with me, friends. There's a script I have to finish by tomorrow.

There's a book I have to hunt down and read. My Good Reads book group agreed on Jane Eyre for the April 2012 To Read book. Lucky for me Mikee has an extensive collection of Jane Austen.

I don't know what will happen to me after the taping tomorrow. Haaay.

Weird

Yup, that's weird.

So Mikee texts me and asks if I could write a eulogy for her. I asked who died, and she said the eulogy is for her. I should be writing about her. Weird. So yeah, how crazy could it be?

I'm still having thoughts about posting what I wrote here. So shortly after I sent it to her, I asked.

Me: Magsuicide ka na?
Mikee: Hahaha maybe.
Me: Ok, tell me when para hindi kalayat.
Mikee: Yes Ma'am.

So much for being the Ate. What kind of a writing assignment is that?!

War Horse

Directed by Steven Spielberg

How far will you go to fulfill a promise?

Saw this movie with Papa last weekend, running at about two hours. With the advancement of "borrowing" movies these days, it's easy to go on a movie marathon on weekends with the family without having to spend on pirated DVDs which have bad screen resolutions. I don't like watching movies and having to shell out good money and force myself to finish watching a movie that's just cam ripped. I can stall myself to wait for clear copies that are available to be ripped right from a website I've been patronizing. And I don't like going to the movies with my friends who always show up late, then we miss the first part of the story. By the time we find our seats, we're harassing each other :"Bakit ganun? Bakit galit sya dun? Ano'ng nangyari? Ano daw?" And a ticket costs almost a hundred bucks, (only in Zamboanga?) and the whole packaging comes with it. If you're lucky you get to avoid cinemas with poor air conditioning, bad odor, toilets with vandalism of crazy people with cellphone numbers since 1997 and stale popcorn. Papa is a better companion when it comes to movies. He talks after the credits roll in. =) 

So here, it's the dawn of the First World War and Devon, England is a wide sprawling town of greenery and agriculture. Albert admires a thoroughbred foal from a distance, and is overjoyed when his father comes home from an auction with it. Albert names the foal Joey and devotes his days to taming and training the foal, and teaching him how to plow a field, in order to raise money for the land's rent that is due. 

Together, man and beast go through ups and downs as they wrestle with odds and ends just by toiling in a farm. But when the nation enters into war, the two are separated and Albert promises to bring back Joey to his home. 

It takes years, and the Joey develops a relationship with different kinds of people during the war. It is a story of fulfilling promises and striving to be independent in times of uncertainties and challenges. 

It's an inspiring story about perseverance, hope and peace. 

What are your must-see movies for 2012? Share your rants and raves! =)