books i must read for 2010

Have you been thinking of what books to read for year 2010? I did, I thought I'd share a list here with you...these are the books that had been reviewed or that I've somehow discovered in one of my bookstores' wanderings and on-line browsings, which I personally think are most popular and considered “must-read” ones. Some of these titles were bestsellers, some critics' pick of the year, while few were award-winning books. The books below were not necessary listed down in order, or for that matter.

I would like to enjoy more books this 2010. I have already bought most of these books, (can't help it), they were carefully stacked on one of my bookshelves, while a handful were neatly piled up on my bedside table, pages waiting to be flipped and fine prints are ready to be savoured....I think this list stood out by far as per my genre's preferences, as far as the bookstores' recommendations and top bestsellers' list is concerned. These are combinations of easy read, contemporary lit books, epic drama, memoirs/biographies, historical fictions, debut novels and inspirational …..I am sure there are books I've left out unintentionally as I had narrowed it down, too many good ones to choose from.. ....so common, grab one or two from your favorite bookstores nearby and enjoy a good read! Remember, reading matters!

1) Book of Negroes, Lawrence Hill – i'm totally captivated by this fictional account of the life of Aminata...I am almost at the end of it, 60 pages more to go out of 487...I could have finished the book by today but apparently, it's taking longer than I have expected, I wish I have all the leisure time to read, so many books....so little time....(big sigh)
2) Handle with Care, Jodi Picoult
3) The Gathering, Anne Enright
4) The Space Between Us, Thrity Umrigar
5) Wolf Hall, Hilary Mantel
6) Time Traveller's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
7) The Sea, John Banville

8) Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela
9) The Cellist in Sarajevo, Steven Galloway

10) Push, Sapphire

11) The Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama

12) So You're One of Them, Uwem Akpan
13) The Road, Cormac McCarthy
14) The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch
15) The Help, Kathryn Stockett
16) Dear John, Nicholas Sparks
17) Julie and Julia, Julie Powell
18) Exodus, Leon Uris
19) Classic Parenting, Dr. James Dobson
20) God is No Laughing Matter, Julia Cameron

21) Beauty for Ashes, Joyce Meyer

22) Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand - I have to add this as per highly recommended by my BFFs Terrie and Binky, a novel considered a magnum opus in the realm of fiction writing.

terrific thursday!

Today seemed to be the craziest and busiest day of 2010! I have to say it is because it's only the second week of the year after all..haha!

What made me say it's the busiest? Thought you never asked...

Earlier today I completed my year-end reconciliations of variances, comparative analysis and reports, adjustments to comply with the audits, federal and government policies and on top of that do the necessary backups in our server before I can proceed setting up the new fiscal year 2010, not to mention emails to respond, 2010 budgets, plans, and forefasts, phone calls to make, and other deadlines to beat.....these list goes on and on...

But thank God! my year-end jitters turned out to be a successful one without going through a single glitch and free of any further painful process. As usual it took more than just couple of runs to Starbucks for my lattes for the last few days....times such as this needed full-focus, undivided attention, increased brain power, boost of energy and clear-cut concentration...I tell you, just few sips of latte increases my blood-flow and so with my work pace, I was all fired up at the same time!

I took my lunch a little late but then again I was relieved. It was such a delight and a big relief that at the last sipped of my last cup of coffee – it coincided the exact time when the prompt message or the dialogue window said : Back-up was successfully completed! Tada!

But that was not the end of it all...I have to do the next step, which is altogether was not that bad.

When I came home I thought I could do some relaxation knowing I don't have to fix supper today, I thought I could just warm up some LO from last night's (left over) and maybe just throw some greens and toast dinner buns. I always love the feeling of coming home when I am greeted by Ashley and Andrew's sweet hugs and kisses..... but guess what??? I am also greeted with the last minute homework, book report and social studies research works - all are due tomorrow!!! And not to mention, my iCalendar reminded me too of Andrew's skiing lesson tomorrow, I need to pack this and that, I was like, whew! God help me, I could use some help here please....(big and long sigh)

I was panicking a little bit, stress level was just about to raise, then I remember what to do. I have to breathe in and out and told myself to calm down and everything will be just fine.......and it's a good thing, both of my children are not so needy and can practically handle school stuffs with very minimal supervisions and instructions. But of course kids are just kids, they still need grown ups directions.

And mostly, all the 'mommy's I've known do all the worrying and at the same time think all the problem-solving :-) Do I hear "Amen"?? So, I have to do what I have to do, you know, take charge and use the skill that most moms are good at –- guess what?? multitasking! I must admit, I am so lucky enough, my husband is such a big help and he takes care of the dishes, the garbage, recycling and other stuffs too ((wink wink ;-)). I wouldn't know what I would do without Noel! Am I so lucky or what? It's true though, without my husband's full support system and my children's inpiration...it'll be harder for me to deal my daily chores and challenges...I owe it to Noel and so here's my hat totally off to him...and I don't even call that 'smooching'.

Though, I am quite disappointed because aside from missing my favorite show "Grey's Anatomy", I thought I could read few chapters today, as I have yet to finish the book I am reading...and since I am totally drawn to the characters especially the protagonist named Aminata...

But anyways, I am just thankful really and very appreciative that I get to accomplish tons of things today without feeling exhausted and stressed and in fact still have the time to be connected with myself. Writing or blogging whatever you call it seem to give me the winding down and time that I call my own.

That's about it. My terrific Thursday! I look forward for Friday which is tomorrow. It is a fun-filled day for sure. There's got to be more things to do, things to think about and things to be decided upon and challenges to deal with! The important thing is I am coming along pretty well and positively happy about it!

To all juggling super moms out there - give yourself a good pat on your shoulder, you are doing just great. The best is yet to come for 2010! And it's gonna be as terrific as you are!

thinking of Hawaii...

It's raining cats and dog here in BC and today seems to be the gloomiest day ever! It's damp, murky and soaking wet everywhere...

Times like this...my thoughts drifts away...I am so wanting to go somewhere I can watch the sun goes down, and walk in flip-flops or even barefoot.....I am thinking of Hawaii....where I am kissed gently by the warmth of the sun's rays....where I can hear the soft waves of the blue ocean, where I can lie on the beach, read "Wuthering Heights" and forget my cares away.....just soaking in the sun........life would be such a bliss!

Soon oh soon aloha!

i love NYC!

{This blog was actually so overdue………..I thought to myself...nah ---there are just too many things to write about, don’t even know where to start and how to end it.....but after hearing the song "Empire State of Mind" by Jay Z and Alicia Keys being played on FM live-stream radio ....I am reminded of NY again...the fun and the experience I had there was too good to ignore, so there you go, I want to share it with you! }

Last summer, I was in New York with my family for our much awaited vacation. We normally take a good 10-days vacation trip every summer not just to have a break but also to build beautiful memories with my children. Memories that we can look back when we are 80 something years old or so, when we are all gray, wrinkled and all, something old and something beautiful. And that, what we had done in the past were actually cool and awesome…besides who doesn’t want to spend quality time with your loved ones in a different and more interesting settings beside your own backyard?

Anyways, on our 5-hour flight to NYC, four of us --myself, Noel, Drew and Ash had this anticipated excitement and adrenaline rush all over us, my kids were excited to see and identify the buildings they are so familiar with in their favorite movies and TV shows, while me in particular, was just as excited to see and take numerous photo shots of all the famous landmarks, museums and modern architectural designs of the buildings. I remember, I had some doubts too at that moment...Will I ever feel intimidated? Will my family be safe in this city? Will I be lost or something? But the moment I set my foot on JFK airport, all of my doubts were proven wrong. I immediately felt the city’s most welcoming-warmth, as if it is my own home, as if I belong there....... I thought to myself, "oh, I love New York City......this city is so me!"

New York is probably the greatest city in the world. It is a city where unusual is commonplace. The dramatic expected. A series of neighborhoods that are real melting pots of America. Art and artists are a way of life in New York from the small studios to the magic of Broadway....

I love New York simply because of it’s diversity and how busy and full of life it is! Where else can you find such diversity? --– of food, culture, style, art, architecture, music, fashion, people? It’s hard to imagine who could never love New York. It’s the most exciting, vibrant big city on the planet earth. There is just no place like it.

The city is known as the "Big apple", maybe because it is a city of superlatives.....America's biggest, highest, largest..... The city seems to pull in the best and the brightest from every corner of the country. In fact NYC is the nation's trendsetter.

I think every individual who first set their foot in New York have their best NY moments and experiences. I for one have some to share. Here’s some of my best New York experiences and moments; --

FIFTH AVENUE

Shop ‘til you drop in the magical stores of Fifth Avenue. Just walking along this famous strip makes me feel rich. There are the uber-rich stores like Gucci, Bergdorf Goodman, Hermes, LV, Tiffany and Cartier but you can make a wise budget purchase at the likes of H&M, Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and Gap, and others. You cannot visit New York without setting foot on Fifth!

STATUE OF LIBERTY

Prior to my visit, I thought Statue of Liberty is just a hollow colossus statue made of thinly pounded sheets of copper and bronze that symbolizes international friendship between France and American people. I tell you, Liberty is more than a statue. She is almost like a beloved friend, a living symbol of freedom. She is a tribute to the ideals she represents, and to the hopes she inspires...as I looked up to her face and took this photo, I was totally left in awe...

CENTRAL PARK

There's just too much to single out in this beautiful 341-hectare park in the heart of New York City. I love Bethesda's Castle, and the Shakespeare's garden..one would easily spot a soloist performing Vivaldi's 4 season symphony.

MACY'S

Macy's world-famous department store has 10 floors of shopping heaven, with just about all the big designers housing...I was so overwhelmed, I couldn't make up my mind..LOL. You'll definitely experience the old cliché “shop 'till you drop”! All the same, I love the Starbucks lounge there, it's so cozy I could take a quick snooze.

BROOKLYN BRIDGE

It will take you about 20 minutes to walk across it – and right underneath, on the Brooklyn side in Water St, is the Brooklyn Ice Cream factory. On the wired fence, I spotted these phrases of words carved on it….”Splendor me or men”. Here, happens to be where you will get the best view of Manhattan, so it's a good excuse to indulge a cone of ice cream.

BROADWAY SHOWS
This is one of my favorites. My family enjoyed the Billy Elliot musicals a lot. There is nothing like it. It's worth every penny we paid for the tickets! The experience was something I would cherish for the rest of my life. I would definitely watch broadway shows again when I visit NY in the future...

SAKS & Company

Two words. First Floor. It's about the only words I can afford. But if buying purses isn't your aim, just walk around and watch the filthy-rich spend up a storm. The place is always full of people in high fashion, even the shop looked so lush and all but the sales attendants were very cordial and friendly, it has never been intimidating experience at all as compared to other designer shops that I’ve been to in Asia.

GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL

This is a major terminal and is also full of history and attractions itself. It's got fine dining and casual restaurants, market, high fashion shops...and the food! oh boy....I still can taste up to now the BEST and the most sumptuous barbeque-chicken I've ever tasted! And guess what? I've actually set foot on the spot where the climatic shootout scene in 'The Untouchables' movie...only couple of yards away from the landmark Oyster bar & restaurant.

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

NY's original skyline symbol. The ride alone is an adrenalin rush. I felt I am at the top of the world and that I can literally conquer it all, including my biggest fears. It is overlooking the whole Central Garden, Ellis Island, Manhattan and Jersey City. The 360 degrees view is so mind-blogging. We were so lucky to have the chance to tour this building in VIP-entry, our close friend Dominic works for a reputable engineering and construction company somewhere in 30th something floor....we were spared of more than 2 hours wait in the line-up.

TIME SQUARE

Times Square is the most bustling square and THE major intersection in Manhattan, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh AvenueTimes. It is so bright and colourful. My whole family including myself of course, had lots of stop and stare moments in awe at the massive billboards amid the neon lights, towering hotels, and high-priced souvenir shops that define Times Square, which is Midtown's leading attraction. The sheer energy of this neighborhood is exciting; the pace, the sidewalks, the hotdogs, the coffee, desserts and ice cream shop usually packed. I’ve never seen so many people in one place but the experience is so unbelievably surreal. You might not believe it but we we went to that square almost everyday just to sit on the benches while sipping our javas and just enjoy watching other people who are probably came from other part of the globe!

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
I've never seen like it. I was totally amazed by the most scenic architectural design of the Main Reading Room. If you do need the best research library there is, the New York Public Library is waiting for you with ten million books and ten million manuscripts, including George Washington’s farewell address drafted in his own hand.

I love New York! I really do. Reasons why I love New York? Let me count the ways…

The city that never sleeps. I personally experienced right before my very eyes why on any given day in this Crazy City- - anything unusual, out of the ordinary or overall just super interesting and inspiring can happen on the daily basis...24/7!

It carries the torch. I think, no city gives a better welcome than New York. The Statue of Liberty leaves the light on for you, no matter who you are, no matter where you've come from.

Hustles that bustle. I love the fact that every corner in Midtown is packed with people waiting to cross the street. Everyone is rushing to get to the meeting, the java fix, the subway. No stopping to smell the roses here—just grab a bunch of flowers from one of the many vendors and smell them as you hurry on to your next destination.

It curbs my enthusiasm. NYC's energy absolutely fires up my enthusiasm!

The icing on the cake. It's one of the only places where a pink cupcake, covered in sprinkles, is actually cool.

My kind of city. No matter where I came from, there's a neighborhood that'll make me feel at home.

I am at the top. I got goose bumps when I set foot on the cool, granite foyer of the Empire State Building. From the observatory, if I look closely, I can see my dreams come true….

The coffee lingo. At the Starbucks near Times Square, I can hear a dozen languages spoken at once.

The last word. Overall, New York is so beautiful to me and yet a little bit inconvenient. It makes people there work a little harder, but you probably heard the song “if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, it's up to you New York, New York” anyway.... It forces you to interact—with taxi drivers, street musicians, people riding the subway, people talking on cell phones, people talking to themselves. But with..... “LIFE” . And I just love it!

The remarkable thing is--New York looks even better up-close, in person....."it's just like the movies!". Whether you want to call it spontaneity or chaos, there are a million different New York moments that can catch you off-guard and sweep you off your feet. You could spend weeks in New York and still barely scratch the surface, but there are some key attractions that you won't want to miss. The best thing is -- in between sights, you can eat just about anything, at anytime....

....because New York City is a city that never sleeps.

Welcomes 2010 with a Big Bang!

HaPPy NeW YeAr!

How was everyone's new year so far? Well, I have been doing great actually, so far so good....I am so excited as I welcome and embrace this new decade...I have a very good feeling that it's going to be a good one this year if not a better one! However, in order to embrace the new year, one must release the old, we cannot swing from one bar to another unless we let go of the other!

Admit it... You made a few resolution this year, just like the last. In fact, you may have even stuck to a few of them. Year after year, you commit to make changes. Stop doing this... start doing that... and you know what? You're not alone!

Several of you would probably say “here we go again, another year and another stack of resolutions down the proverbial drain” But No, not this year - all excuses have expired...and mind you, life is getting shorter plus clock is ticking away....so let's put it this way--this time it will be different, and it's all about a 'good plan' that really works anyway.

Generally, tradition almost dictates that every 365 days, one has to kick bad habits and should start life anew. Most peopleto try to make the dreaded New Year’s Resolution, a solemn promise for themselves to completely change who and what they are.

Personally, that's not really the case for me-- it's more of a reflection of the past and a projection of the future sort-of-thing for me. I do make my own check list, though it's always easier said than done you know, but I try to look back and see what has been done and what's not been done and that includes my personal, professional, health and wellness and most importantly spiritual aspects of my life. Before the past year unfolds and the new year begins, I sort of gather my thoughts, mull over and then look forward to a newer plans, conceivable projections, and bigger dreams, and perhaps, raise the bar more higher, as I'm sure most of you do the same thing. Overall, I try to be a better person that I can be, thriving to live a more healthier, happier and fulfilling life.

I am happy to say that the most part of my wish lists were carried out and even succeeded with flying colors, and that took a lot of prayers, practice and perseverance, though few of them, the ones that I considered not conceivable anyways for that matter were unfulfilled and I am usually inclined to bring it forward for the next year's.

I am inspired and more encouraged when I realize that I have the chance to reflect upon on what I did, how I felt, what I didn't liked and what I have learned every year. I can look at myself and my experience with as much objectivity as I can. I got to start thinking over the past year or perhaps over the past decade...to learn from it and to go where I wish to go and be whom I wish to be...and to check once again what my priorities are.

There are endless questions that comes to mind...such as --What did I accomplish? Would I have done it differently? What were the most significant events in the past decade? the biggest challenges, toughest roadblocks, my biggest contributions? Did I make any difference at all? ....or for what I am particularly grateful?

What about you? Have you thought of this year's 2010 wish list? Whatever is your new year's wish list, hope you set a far more specific and achievable goals this time. As for me and my family, we will aim for things that are truly important to us, not what we think we ought to do or what others expect of us.

And so dear friends........as we start the year, it seems particularly fitting to devote ourselves sometime to reflect and give thanks for numerous blessings we have received and let our hearts process and prepare us for a more positive and fruitful new year ahead of us.

And remember to fully enjoy every single moment (or year) of your life's journey! :-)

Live, learn and love!