Dengue Part 2

The last time I had dengue was when I was seven years old and I celebrated my birthday at the hospital. You still made my birthday a success by bringing in three cakes and balloons and all those Snoopy and Ninja Turtles sketches at the Children's Hospital. Lola Portia even brought that battery-operated doll just to distract me from the fact that I had a dextrose attached to my hand.

And yesterday you concluded that I was hit by dengue again.

Each minute was a torment. It took you thirty minutes to arrive home and all I could do was count the seconds. And each minute was painful. Too painful that I was drifting with a throbbing temple and each last message I sent to you was all I could think of, counting the syllables

"Ma, yayay."

At least I got hit when I am staying at your house. Otherwise, I don't know what else would happen if I were alone and my knees and back hurt while I was chilling in bed.

Only a mom knows what to do, skillfully not wasting any time giving what is needed.

My nurse and doctor. 

My mom. 

Book Review: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

"There has to be a moment at the beginning when you wonder whether you're in love with the person or in love with the feeling of love itself."

Here is one book you should be taking home if you are want to revisit the alphabet again but this time, through the eyes of love. What kind of love is seen in the unnamed narrator's experiences and thoughts? One that is honest, sincere, and afraid, brave, doubtful, and confident at the same time.

The Style 

There is an ambiguous note of the type of relationship indicated here, but its careful editing and some subtle clues could lead the reader to form conclusions. The fact that this book is easy to read, and very close to the little things we observe and remember about a person we love, that is full of hope of making it together and getting over messy situations makes it a keeper for me. Whether in a relationship, single or married, the reader can take away lessons from this book. What are the lessons learned? Read to find out.

The style is very simple, making it very readable, the sentences are short and simple; each situation hits the mark. As a reader, you will enjoy revisiting the alphabet through the range of experiences and emotions as one who longs to be loved, has loved, and is loved.

The Lover's Dictionary was first published in 2010.

The Author

David Levithan is an American children's book editor and award-winning young adult author. He is the founding editor of PUSH, a YA imprint of Scholastic Press. He lives in Short Hills, New Jersey.

It is interesting to note that I finished reading the 222 page book in just a single Sunday afternoon.

Don Vicente Restaurante Latino

Now there is a family Italian restaurant for people who are tired of just fast food spaghetti. You can find this cozy place in Atilano Street, Tetuan and walk right in to a charming resto that is tastefully decorated. 

I kind of had a field day taking photos from this quaint resto, so here they are. I followed suit thanks to Anj and I am definitely going back soon to try other dishes. In the meantime, here are some photos. 

Gotta love the colours outdoors

I had my Linguine Carbonara with Iced Tea

The Putanesca consists of al dente pasta, sauce of wine, herbs and whole olives. 

Black and gold doily adds an elegant touch to this setting

Grandfather clock beside the table where I ate 

That is around the same time my order arrived, whoops!

Bullfight 

Gold and white doily this time which served as the placemat for my lunch

Notice the VPElago signature on the painting that is the candelabra's background

Scary Movie This Week: Rosemary's Baby

Since it's Halloween this week, and I am looking forward to some alone time, Papa will probably be joining me when I watch this, so I can prepare the caramel popcorn, soda and gummy worms in that plastic cauldron container of ours.

So...

I will be kicking off my slippers and put the speakers on in full volume while watching Rosemary's Baby (1968). I first saw this when I was 10 and didn't really understand it, and my memory is kinda fuzzy. But I will be able to enjoy some quiet time this week and I could scream my ass off when the scary scenes roll in.

Movie Posters 

I particularly like old, vintage posters and this one really does it for me, part of the 1968 release.

This one is a more recent poster, but still, the chilly feeling of the movie stays. 

Synopsis

A young couple move into a new apartment, only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors, habits and occurrences. When the young wife becomes pregnant mysteriously, paranoia and delusions over the safety of her unborn child begins to take over her mind and her life. (imdb.com)

Scenes from the Movie 

Facts

Film Director Roman Polanski suffered the art inspiring real-life tragedy as his wife Sharon Tate was stabbed to death by the Manson Family while she was pregnant. The film's composer died of a brain clot, similar to a character in the film's predicament, just as soon as the film was done. 

I don't know about you, but I think it is included as one of the cursed movies of the century. I read it somewhere, can't remember though.

And I could write about the whole movie and its highlights soon after I empty the popcorn tub. 

What else will you be doing this week? 

Leave a comment below!

Halloween Cake Inspirations

My little cousins will be celebrating their birthdays next week, and their mom has sought some Halloween designs for their cake. Here are just some which I am reposting from Pinterest, if we are contacts in Facebook you might have seen these already.

The little kids are going crazy over the creative designs online, here are some of their favourites, and mine as well.

Sneaky little mouse on the cake 

Batman's birthday cake 

Bats and ghouls 

The jellyworms and pretzels sticks make this extra yummy!

Creepy, crawly spiders 

This is Jess's favourite and wanted his birthday cake to be like this. 

This one is pretty doable... 

Black, orange and brown, simple but delicious 

 

Personal Fave! 

Orange five-eyed monster! 

Graveyeard! 

James likes this one too. 

Do you have any Halloween cake designs you would want to share? Which ones are your picks?