Alls Well That Ends Well

I've wanted to write this post last Saturday, 21 July, right after picking up my pre-ordered copy (adult cover as shown on the picture on the left) of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from Dymocks (who offered a 20% discount off the original retail price and a bag to go with the book) but I had trouble logging into Blogger. I reckon a lot of bloggers were online at the same time their server was just so slow.

But anyway, better later than never.

The moment I got home, I immediately read the last two chapters just so I could prove my hunch right and I was. Oh the hype about who was going to die! But, it was one hell of a story! A perfect ending to a wonderful tale! Of course by now, you already know who died and who survived and who ended up with who. Although, I would be interested to know what happened to Dolores Umbridge after she was Stupefied by Harry.

This much I have to say, though. While I was reading the part where Harry and Voldemort faced each other for the last time wands in hand, the scene reminded me of those Tagalog action movies where the bida and kontrabida would engage in a lengthy exchange of words with guns drawn, and then Bang!, the kontrabida falls dead.

However, the chapter on King's Cross gave the book a religious undertone that pictured Harry as a Christ-like figure sacrificing himself so that others may live and coming back to life to triumph over evil.

Now, it remains to be seen which of the action-packed chapters won't be seen in the movie version.

The Road to Recovery

I've just had the worst bout of cough and colds I could remember. First to suffer was my husband who still has a hoarse voice, then my mom who still has an itchy throat, and I got it last. Thankfully, the kids were spared. Ah, the ills winter brings.

Last week was supposed to be my last week at work but because I was down with the bug, I had to miss the baby shower my workmates planned for me. Last Monday was the official start of my maternity leave and I was still sick. Up until today I cannot truly say that I have fully recovered from my affliction. And if there's one unforgettable experience with this pregnancy, these past two weeks would be it. But I'd rather spare you the details of the pain and sleepness nights my coughing brought on.

I've so much wanted to blog but I just couldn't draw up the strength nor come up with words to write a post. Last Saturday, 21 July, I did attempt to post right after I got my copy of HP and the Deathly Hallows but for some reason I was taking a long time to log in to Blogger I just gave up after 30 minutes of waiting. And I was really looking forward to writing that post.

Anyway, since I won't be doing any library work for the next six months, library-related posts will be very, very limited. But it sure feels good to be back online again.

More than Meets the Eye


Awesome! OTT action! More than what I expected!

These are just some of the ways I could describe Transformers. Having grown up watching the animated series and eventually the animated movie, it was definitely a treat to see this with my family.

Besides the edge-of-the-seat action sequences, the movie had a good mix of romance, comedy and drama. And I really, really admire the CG animators for pulling off the "transformation" of the vehicles. My son, Nico, said he was just expecting a "simple" transformation of the cars into robots involving just the wheels, hood, windshield, etc. but was just so thrilled to see much more. I just love the way Starscream transformed from jet to robot and back!

However, I did find it stupid for the soldiers to bring the Allspark to the city knowing that the Decepticons were already after it without bearing in mind the havoc it would create, unless of course I missed something in the dialogue. But of course, bringing the cube elsewhere, like the desert for example, would have led to lesser destruction to life, limb and property and therefore less action.

I'd have to end my intellectualization of the movie there because really the movie is a feast for the eyes more than anything else.

Up next on our viewing list, what else but HP and the Order of Phoenix, which is another certified visual treat.

To Pay or Not to Pay

My library fine, that is. For the first time in my life I have actually copped a library fine for an overdue book. I've had a lot of overdue books before, just ask the Circulation assistant at Assumption College, but never paid a centavo for them.

I came to know of my fine when I logged on to my library account online. So last Monday, I went there with the intention of paying my 40 cents fine and to pick up the materials I have put on reserve, which were thankfully still available days after my reservations have expired. (Admittedly, I haven't been an ideal library user in the past few months.) But when I approached the staff behind the counter to claim my reserved DVD, I never got to the point of telling her I was going to pay my fine, too. Talk about cold feet.

Oh well, somehow I'll come around to paying that fine or incurring some more, whichever comes first.