Book Backlogs: The Never Ending Story

Old Post from Laptop last January,

I admit that I’m starting at a pretty slow pace in bringing my book logs down this January. I’m not entirely panicking that this is happening though since my 2014 jumpstarted in quite a positive note at work coming from a 3-week Christmas vacation. What did I expect? Work came in like a non-stopping train full of goal setting, expectations and dealing with pretty deluded people to achieve greatness this year.  Mostly the first few weeks of January were spent in resting and setting things back to a decent normalcy. That would probably be the reason why I don’t have enough leisure time to fully enjoy a high-speed reading experience not like last December. But I’m still pretty optimistic. It’s still January and I still have a full year to bring the book logs down. I'm not in a race, but one of my goals this year is to read as much, hopefully devise a worthy personal library scheme and bring the book logs down.

Reading as much is not a problem. I am addicted to books. I read almost anything. I have a good supply of unread books at home and resources on hand to get me to read. I have time (mostly) and I can easily swap my social life to a couple of hours of reading.

Devising a worthy library is still ongoing. I thought I would be able to nail this last December, but well at least I started. I purchased a newly improved log book and I’m searching for free library software I can get my hands into. If not, there’s always Microsoft Access or Excel.  This will be a long and ongoing process. I need to find shelves and space, but I’m getting there.

Bringing my book backlog down…well that is a never ending story. And probably the only never ending story that bibliophiles and bookworms can relate to.

Roughly speaking, just by looking at my tower of books, a couple of paper bags underneath my desk full of books, two bedside drawers full of books and some stash of books secretly and subtly placed in my brother’s shelves….I roughly have a 200 book backlog. Okay, maybe around 300-400 if you count the neatly placed books at my shelf that were bought 5 years ago. And I’m afraid I’m not exaggerating. My room had become a storage room with a bed. You wouldn’t even think someone (a girl) sleeps in there. My parents haven’t seen my room lately and I would know if they did because they will freak out.

Friends and family would say that I have enough books to read in a lifetime. That is very true. I won’t contest that, but to say NOT to buy books is an ongoing challenge. The truth is, bibliophiles and book lovers would always have a reason to buy good books whether they need to or not. Any normal person would see it as an addiction and irrational behavior, but we all have our own quirks. This is ours.

I buy books because I would want to read them someday and that someday may come any day so I need to have them. That’s always a mental security of mine. There’s always this nagging feeling in me that I need to have a good collection and supply of books because I’ll never know when the mood and the need will arise. I know this sounds pretty neurotic but I need endless options and extensive supply of books within my reach. If one day I wake up and decide to jump into a good fantasy novel, I have a couple of Patrick Rothfuss, Terry Pratchett and R. Heinlein to buzz me up. (Yes, I haven’t read any of their works yet, but I have some of their works already). Or if I’m feeling Sci-Fi, even if it’s rare, I do have George Orwell or Aldous Huxley. If I’m feeling historical fiction, contemporary or romance (Yes, I do have my own humble collection of Deveraux, Litton, Coulter) or probably I can always delve into classics, horrors and mainstream formula best sellers. I encouraged my brother to read so I can share with him the young adult fiction that’s become so popular and comforting. The point is, I need to have the right books within my grasp. Call it hoarding. I call it collecting.

But unfortunately I’m already lacking space and I’m struggling enough as it is in fixing my library without additional books coming in. It already comes a point that I’m too overwhelmed or I really can’t distinctly remember the books that I’ve bought. There’s a great need to organize my life and my book shelf. And one way of doing that is by putting control in my book expenditures. There should be a constant effort on my part to NOT buy so much books until I get my book backlogs to at least a manageable level (Like a hundred probably). It’s time to explore my library more than ravage bookstores. If every week I tend to buy 10 books or if by every pay day I get to splurge, probably I can only limit to at least 2 books per pay day.  Control against book splurging is an ongoing process.

So this post is a testament that I recognize the need to organize my shelf, read more (better pace) and to consciously control myself in purchasing books on an impulse. This is not to say that I won’t buy books, that’s a serious unnecessary withdrawal, but I’m just saying that I won’t need to buy 10 books per week or not every trip to the bookstore constitutes buying something. I need to practice control and backlog management. This officially starts now.

Day 40/365 of 2014

Life is Good...


Especially if complete strangers take you as a college student. Har-Har!

Went to the neighboring coffee shop, looking disheveled as usual, and they assumed I was there early in the morning to study for some college thesis.

Hey, they didn't toast my bagel that well, but who cares! They say I look like I'm a college student! Haha

Day 35-39/365 of 2014

Life is still good...despite the hell week.

Wasn't able to post cause I've been spending more hours in the office. I'm not overdoing it though, it's just a bit of a stretch this week with all the projects and deliverables. It's been crazy lately.


Day 35 - Tuesday   I was able to finish The Bridges of Madison County and that is one of the best love stories I've read to date. I love it. It's simple, raw but very intense. It's a perfect love story and I wish everyone has a chance to feel that. It's also this day that I started to read Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, which reviews say is one of the most notable love stories ever.

Day 36 - Wednesday - The start of the extended work hour. I got home so late and so tired that I prepared myself to eat leftover crappy food, but my father dear was able to bring home succulent bite size sandwiches from Cafe France, a favorite of mine. It was like seeing a goldmine. It made my day so much better.

Day 37 - Thursday - Passed by Starbuck's drive thru on the way to work and the barista blew me away!

Me: hi grande asian dolce latte, hot. And a honey bagel. Uhm....pwedeng pa spread na ng butter?
Barista: sure.

At the pick up window.

Barista: hi ma'am here's your coffee and here's your bagel. Na spread na po yung butter on both sides and toasted it narin po to perfection. And here's an extra napkin. Have a safe drive and breakfast to work!

Wow. In fairness he thought ill be eating it while driving, but still. That is good customer service

I'm so lucky to be able to go to Starbucks and interact with these kinds of people. Gives me so much inspiration. 

Day 38 - Friday - The significant other and I got to talk. We had our simple date since both of us got busy and uncooperative. We shared a good meal, we went to his favorite bar and had a drink each and ended it with sugar free coffee. And I also embarrassed myself in front of my big boss when I walked like a psycho wanting to stab someone. We both had a good laugh. That was really embarrassing and funny. I was just glad that it's a weekend!

Day 39 - Saturday - Weekend. My brother and I got to relax and watched American Hustle. Jennifer Lawrence was good and annoyed us to pieces. Amy Adams was vulnerable and complicated while Christian Bale was sleazy, fat, but very convincing. Also I got to eat sushi for merienda, Brida's rainbow cake for dessert and took home Costa Brava's caramel cake. I can just lounge all day. 

The other book reviews to be posted next week. I left it in my office's hard drive. For now, I've got to relax and not do anything!

Things to Look forward

It's already February! Believe it or not one month had already been closed for 2014 but I can still smell and vividly remember the recent holidays. Sadly, I'm one of those people who suffer from post-holiday sickness and I'm still in the process of shaking things off.

January was more of feeling and listing down the things I should be doing for the entire year, which in a way kicked off in a good start. I did what I planned to do for this month. From devising a financial plan to ironing out my work goals to actually stepping inside the gym (again!).  February and March are about starting things up. 1st quarter is always important to initiate your moves. If anything's going to start, it's best to happen now!

I've always loved the month of January because it gives such a positive vibe. It's always refreshing to start anew. February may be bit subdued and short, but it's also a month of pure action, not that I'm actually referring to Valentine's Day.

Here are the things that I look forward to this month

• JPMorgan Special Award for seasoned employees. (Yes, I am seasoned. And yes I have extra money for shopping!)
• Philippine Travel Expo on February 14-16. Who needs spending for Valentine's Dates?! I'd rather spend it here! Better figure out where I want to go for this year. 
• A major financial investment is about to start
• An impending Hong Kong Trip with my aunts from Cebu (This is a fun riot!)

See! It's a month full of possibilities besides the usual Valentine's fare. I have an international trip, an extra money for that trip, a travel expo to get the best deals this year and an starting my long overdue investment for my future. 

February should be fun. 

Day 27-34/365 of 2014

Life is Good....

This will be a long one, but rather more concise.

Day 27 -  I get to appreciate the handwork of very creative song writers and multimedia experts. Yes, I watched this very funny Bekimon (Gay ghetto) version of probably my most favorite Disney song of all time. Let it Go became Kembot Mo. This made me laugh and appreciate human creativity!

Day 28 -   Well we got extra money today! It's our company's generous performance bonus and I am extremely happy. Now I can get to pay off my whopping credit card bills from my christmas expenses. --- Oh and I had a heavy lunch at Friday's with a colleague...not a lunch but a feast!

Day 29 -  Finally I finished The Shining by Lauren Beukes. I know. I know. The book is interesting, don't get me wrong, but i've been very busy lately at work. I can't even turn on my laptop and blog. My time at home is enough for me to play with my dogs, read a chapter or two and meet with family. It took me more than week to close this. I thought I never would. Now I can move forward.

Day 30 -   Our very own modern and fashionable Starbucks just opened just outside our village. Sweet! One of the best New Year openings in our neighborhood. No more long travels for good coffee and great ambiance. I can literally walk to this place....well....no...I won't.

Day 31 - I was able to spend time with a loved one, eat 2 orders of takoyaki balls in the afternoon, had a Chinese New Year red-hot manicure session after work, ate a cheap but yummy porterhouse steak for dinner and drank a bottle of crisp premium beer afterwards. A simple and fulfilling day. Life is good.

Day 32 (Feb 1) - Was able to remind myself to pay my ballooning Globe Bill (Finally!), ate at one of my favorite Chinese restaurants and helped a friend out by doing what I do best, search and acquire books that are hard to find. Feels good to help a friend out.

Day 33 (Feb 2) - Helped someone dear acquire an important gadget through a personal loan and was able to ease someone's worries.

Day 34 (Feb 3) - Colleague came back from Boracay and bought Calamansi Muffins from Real Coffee as Pasalubong! Yahoo! Had 2!

Day 22-26/365 of 2014

This is officially a backlog, but I shan't not worry. I've listed down the happy things I've encountered these days and especially for this vacation-mode week, all I can say is that Life is Very Good!

Day 22 Wednesday - Beer is not my drink of choice. I hardly get it unless I don't have a choice. Beer makes me bloated, makes me go red fast and most importantly, it smells. But then again Beer is darn cheap and if I'm saving plus I really don't have a choice, I usually just get the "pa-cute" versions of flavored beer. I usually go for San Miguel Apple Flavored Beer or if I'm feeling a little bolder, I got my own personal discovery. San Miguel Premium!! This comes in a really cute green bottle and it tastes sweet enough without being too dainty.

I know it's hardly a discovery. Tons of people especially women drink this already, but it's always nice to discover things on your own. It took me one office hang out to get to know this drink that by at least now I can switch to beer when the need arises. But I'm definitely still a wine-cocktails kind of girl.

Day 23 - Thursday - I'm such in a vacation mode that I try to finish work in the first 2-3 hours so I can just day dream the whole day. Thanks to my kind of work that I can get to be flexible and strategic. Today with my colleague, we rushed to the nearest mall and had our manicure and pedicure sessions during our extended lunch time. Yes, a relaxing manicure and pedicure in the middle of a work day is a privilege (after you've finished your work) and a shallow downtime that is also equally productive. Reminds me that "my life is not so bad after all'.

Day 24 - Friday - What can I say? It's a FRIDAY, last work day of the work week and in a few hours I will now be able to experience the Deluxe Travel to Baguio! Plus, it's a pay day and my colleague Lyn and I were able to scourge through the major brands after work for some serious retail therapy. Payday, on a vacation and on a shopping spree, how can your life be any bad after that?

Day 25- Saturday - FINALLY we arrive in BAGUIO! It's one of the best Baguio welcomes ever! My hands hurt from the cold. I can see the steam from my breath. The air is crisp and it's winter wear overload. I love it! The coldness is the main reason why we're here in the first place. 

Full Baguio post will be made separately.

Day 26 - Sunday - It's always a bummer to head home. That just means vacation is over and it's back to the mundane demands of work. But today, I was able to experience STRAWBERRY TAHO! In all the times I've been to Baguio, I've never tried this before. It's 20 Pesos per cup. Instead of the usual sugar syrup, they have this strawberry syrup with plump fresh strawberries. It's a welcome variant that I enjoyed. 

Day 27 - Monday  - Well it's back to work today. And given the fact that we had long travel times during the weekend and a quick sojourn in Baguio, we didn't feel tired at all. It was a smooth and quick transition at work and I'm very happy. I know it sucks to be back, but life is good for letting me be able to work. With work, I can get to plan and pay for my next vacation. With work, I can get to buy my simple luxuries in life. Life has a way of balancing things and rewarding work. Life is definitely excellent!

Harvey and His Basket of Choice

No matter what sort of comfortable bedding we give Harvey, he seems to like to insert himself in kitchen baskets. Any basket made of straw or plastic, as long as he fits, snuggled tightly with his head resting at the corner.

He's weird like that.