Hazel Ceej

In this post: Booking Through & Third Sentence What’s more important: Good writing? Or a good story? (Of course, a book should have BOTH, but…) I buy my books. So before buying any I spend time reading blurbs and reviews as of course I want value for my money. One thing that gives me pleasure in books is reading them from start to finish because of both - good writing and good story. Then I am happy knowing I haven't wasted a cent. On the other hand, good writing for me is very instrumental in tolerating a not-so- good plot. I am willing to forget it is a dull story if the writing is really good it can carry me away. *More bookish reactions at Booking Through Thursday Book : Emma 3rd sentence : "Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses, and her place had been supplied by an excellent governess, who had fallen little short of a mother in affection. " Thoughts : Stepmother scenario in my mind here. A child in

In this post: Teaser, Top Ten, Tune In Teasers: She had resolved that one and twenty should be the period.  With the fortitude of a devoted noviciate, she had resolved to complete the sacrifice, and retire from all the pleasures of life, of rational intercourse, equal society, peace and hope, to penance and mortification forever. p. 423, " Emma " by Jane Austen (Volume II, Collected Edition) A classic look at misconstrued romance. Foolish, arrogant, sensible, oblivious or endearing characters are excellently portrayed. If you've read this before, marvel anew at how people from way way back are actually alike ourselves nowadays in many ways.  If not, get ready to observe human behavior described with humor and skill that made Jane Austen a much-loved author with millions of fans. *Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading Top Ten: Books I Can't Believe I've Never Read Perhaps easy accessibility was taken for granted. But there's no excuse for not

I saw this article the other day that asked, “Are you ashamed of skipping parts of books?” Which, naturally, made me want to ask all of YOU. Do you skip ahead in a book? Do you feel badly about it when you do? It depends; and about two percent of the time. You Don't Say! for example, by Barry Phelps, is about world notables and their misquotations listed alphabetically. In this case I wanted to know first what misquotations Margaret Thatcher or Napoleon Bonaparte made rather than reading accounts in order. Parts that are of least relevance or interest to me - I skip without questioning myself. Conrad Kottak's international edition of Anthropology: the exploration of human diversity once was my bible for a week. I was then preparing a PhD research proposal.  Dissect, synthesize, decide which ideas would be best for an argument on a deadline on top of other university job related readings - I was almost blue in the face as the reading turned mad. And I only needed to nail some

Friday's Fave Five is a meme wherein participants list five best things from their week. Now not every week is great for everyone, and that's where the challenge to come up with blessings lies. Do you hear gratitude ? Or optimism ? A few days before this just-concluded Christmas, I had to try finding what's good in a week that involved a seriously lacerated forehead on top of having to work on Christmas day . ***** Too much multi-tasking amidst anemic symptoms sent me bleeding to the ER. Two surgeons hovered over me. "Fifty-two," said one to the other. And the stitching began. I gleaned my week's best through sutures, anesthesia and an anti-tetanus shot.     i. It was fifty-two, not fifty-three stitches or more . I'd take that and be thankful.   ii. The presence of a friend . So much for independence and pride in doing things single-handedly. I mean going through all that alone was possible, but someone to whom you can say ouch without worrying how you

It would be four hours before I was to board another jet to London.  Emirates was changing air crafts in the UAE. I was in Dubai learning things by the minute.  The officer who confirmed my flight number and arrival time in the UK, was good-looking, as many of them in that part of world are or so I like to think. Space from the sofa I sat on extended to the surface of the glass table on my right. The PA System was echoing "O-whayyy..." now and then. An arab guy, X, sat next to me on the left. Another arab, Z, came by, chatted with X and soon Z sat on the table on my right. I didn't mind the seating arrangement at first. Their conversation was animated and I quietly enjoyed the foreign audio. Their wide faces inched closer to each other. The proximity was making me uncomfortable. Two large yakking males sandwiching a 38-kilogram, Asian female. Such sight must have looked strange in that part of the airport lounge. And then these men made it clear that they didn'

One night long ago, I was approaching an unlit room in an uncle's big house when, typical of Pinoy culture, my older cousins scared me, "there's a ghost in there, watch out!" My mother didn't think it was right, and asked them to stop immediately. [caption id="attachment_8480" align="alignright" width="300"] CJ in the dark[/caption] So far I haven't noticed signs in my son being afraid of the dark.  We try to behave in it the same way we would in bright daylight. If someone scares him though, chances are high he will react accordingly.  For the record I am strongly against teasing children into being unnecessarily scared of anything. The trick I see reminds me of that nursing professor back in college, "you know class, it depends upon the orientation." What was your experience with the dark while growing up? Any similarities with or differences from the way your kids now act toward it? Chris hosts Mommy Moments

There are more than thirty films shot in Thailand. The earliest on a Wikipedia list is a silent docudrama called Chang , shot in 1927.  I've never seen #1-6 but have been to all filming locations like James Bond Island, Sirocco and the floating market. Oh,  except perhaps 'Bangkok Hilton' where Bridget Jones traded her wonder bra for a cigarette.  Seen any of these films? 1.    Around the World in Eighty Days (1956) directed by Michael Todd 2.    The Killing Fields (1984) Spalding Gray                                                                                  3.    The Ugly American (1963) Marlo Brando                                                                             4.    The Deer Hunter (1978) Robert De Niro 5.    Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) Robin Williams 6.    Alexander (2004) Collin Farrel 7.    Rambo, First Blood Part II (1985) Sylvester Stallone 8.    The Beach (2000) Leonardo DiCaprio