WHAT and IF
If you’re a fellow lady and you’ve watched the movie Letters to Juliet, then you’ll understand why that’s my favorite movie (even Titanic takes only second place!). I also bought and read (of course!) the non-fiction book it’s based on:
“Letters to Juliet: Celebrating Shakespeare’s Greatest Heroine,
the Magical City of Verona, and the Power of Love”
by Lise and Ceil Friedman
Because of this book, I found out that Shakespeare wasn’t the original writer of “Romeo and Juliet.” He simply had his own version… Or not?
Anyway, I swear that it’s ALWAYS my go-to movie whenever I want to feel “in love” at any given time (mostly during weekends), and it doesn’t hurt that it’s set in Italy and stars an Australian actor with a British accent! HA HA HA
The movie was released in 2010… so you can say that for the past two years, THIS memorable line has never failed to put a smile on my face and a frown in my heart both at the same time:
“…’What’ and ‘if’ are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: What if? What if?? WHAT IF??? I don’t know how your story ended but if what you felt then was true love, then it’s never too late. If it was true then, why wouldn’t it be true now? You need only the courage to follow your heart. I don’t know what a love like Juliet‘s feels like: love to leave loved ones for, love to cross oceans for, but I’d like to believe if I ever were to feel it, that I’d have the courage to seize it. And Claire, if you didn’t, I hope one day that you will…”
Beautiful words, aren’t they? Well lately, the words “what” and “if” have been occupying my mind too. And today, it truly hit me when I saw these words in the book I’m currently reading (how timely!):
“…I realized the Fates really were cruel… For the rest of my life I would be thinking about her. She would always be my biggest what if.”
Except that when it comes to my own story, replace “her” and “she” with “him” and “he.” 
But the thing with “what” and “if” is they don’t only apply to love. They are present in most aspects of our lives. Or in my life.
What if I said “yes” to that guy from my high school? What if I realized earlier my love for writing and took up journalism instead? What if I applied to Ateneo, too? What if I didn’t become friends with him? What if I acted differently toward him? What if I chose the other company instead of my now-former company? What if I answered this and that during my interview? What if I didn’t do this? What if I didn’t say that?
Ugh. Don’t you just hate THAT feeling? Of asking yourself questions that start with “what” and “if”? @_@ According to my friend Mr. Longman, “what-if” is a countable noun that is defined as “something that could happen in the future or could have happened in the past.”
Unfortunately for us, most of our what-ifs are the latter. Am I right? But if not, well I guess it’s up to each one of us to make sure that our what-ifs are ”something that could happen in the future.” Period.
Wala lang. I just hope the next time you have to combine the words WHAT and IF, you can finally think differently. Instead of going crazy, try reminding yourself of WHAT IS or telling yourself of WHAT WILL BE. At the end of the day, believe that everything happens for a reason. And that you, my friend, are the author AND editor of your own life. So gooo, write your own story. If you prefer a love story, why not? Just do it. 
And just don’t let me write any more words on this post or else our household will run out of cheese! Mwahahahahaha!
Oh well. Luckily, Colbie Caillat was able to sum up my “what if” in the love department with just one song! It’s also a good thing that it’s the theme song of my favorite movie — Letters to Juliet (see introductory paragraph). Anyway, take the time to click “play,” listen to the song, and read its lyrics… and again fellow ladies, you’ll know WHY:
“…In my heart is where you’ll be / I’ll keep waiting till we meet…”
How about you? Care to share your biggest what if in life?
Here’s hoping to turn my what if into what is or what will be,
Mikhaela Georgette ♥♥♥
A Floating Bookstore, A Dose of Carbon Dioxide, And A Whole Lot of Fun!!!
Weird title? Heehee. But yeah. Even though this is already considered a “late” post, let me tell you first about my Manila adventure with my two friends Mark and Maica, one fine (spontaneous) day…
(photo courtesy of my friend Mark)
Last week, we went to the heart of Manila with the hope of having a one-of-a-kind bookstore experience: the MV Logos Hope. As self-proclaimed bookworms, the three of us traveled all the way from Makati just to have our hands on very rare, but cheap finds! 
But lo and behold, it seemed that we lacked in the “research” department because when we finally arrived at the gate, we were told that the ship’s closed on Mondays! On MONDAYS!!! And we went there on a Monday. Fuuudge. 
Since we didn’t want to “waste” one whole trip (not to mention “excitement”), we decided to go to the Manila Ocean Park instead.
And that’s when ALL THE FUN started!!!
MANILA OCEAN PARK
It was already my second time to go there and honestly, I didn’t even think that I’d be back when I went there the first time! Oh well. I guess this spontaneous “excursion” was another proof that it doesn’t matter WHERE you are… what matters is WHO you’re with! Ahem!
Plus, it was nice to see Maica HAPPY after finally seeing penguins in the flesh! Trust me, you don’t know how much she loves ‘em!!!
Maica and her beloved penguins!!!
As for me, I kind of “penguined” out when it was my turn to feed them… that’s why I could only get as close to a penguin like THIS:
penguin hugs, anyone? HA HA HA
Good thing there was also another attraction to SMILE about inside the Trails to Antarctica part of the Park: SNOW VILLAGE!!!
Traveling to Antarctica is a dream of mine too, ya know?
Ready for some snow...
...and MORE "FAKE" SNOW!
After that, we decided to try a five-minute 4D movie (thanks to my insistence!) located at the mall outside the Park.
But wait, there’s more…
Once at the lobby, I suddenly saw a familiar “sight” — Mr. Carlos Celdran of Walk This Way fame!
—
ME: Carlos Celdran!
CARLOS CELDRAN: Hi, how are you?
ME: *smiling like an idiot* =))
—
I swear, I’ve been planning to go to one of Mr. Celdran‘s Manila tours since time immemorial, that’s why seeing him in person even before availing of his tour spelled only one word: STARSTRUCK! Hahaha!
I plan to FINALLY avail of his tour THIS YEAR and of course by that time, I promise to have my picture taken with him already. Don’t worry… knowing me, you’ll read all about THAT on THIS beloved blog of miiine! *more hahahas*
Lastly (for that Monday), I realized that with happiness comes PANIC MODE! On the way home while on the jeep, I witnessed my very first “snatch” encounter! I don’t want to rehash the details anymore, but I was ThisClose to being the victim! I’m just really relieved that it wasn’t me, but still sad for THAT lady… 
Overall, it was truly one OMG moment for me!
Nakakalokang OMG MOMENT talaga that it made me avoid public transportation for a week!!! I’m starting to get back to my usual “commuting ways,” but Mayor Lim, do something about THIS for the sake of my fellow Manileños, Taft Avenue, and the City of Manila in general! Please and thank you.
—
Moving on…
The following day (Tuesday), we finally stepped foot on the MV Logos Hope (we’re so full of HOPE, no?) with our other friends Angela and Jen.
...some of the places the MV Logos Hope has been to. "Some" being the operative word!
Inside the MV Logos Hope were BOOKS (duh), a cafe, and hundreds of volunteers! Actually, volunteering for the ship is NOW part of my bucket list! So when it gets back to our shores, I’ll definitely apply! Hehehe.
...couldn't really decide what to buy, so may the heavens help our credit card! =))
a cafe inside a ship - reminds me of our cruise trip! Not bad. Not bad AT ALL. 
And there you have it! After all that’s been said and done, I realized that no amount of carbon dioxide (sad but true) can stop me from exploring the streets of my beloved Manila!
As posted inside the MV Logos Hope,
"Life is a journey. We're all going somewhere, but where are we going?"
My answer? Might as well go somewhere you’ll always keep coming back to (THAT song was right after all)…
…and for me, that’ll always be my hometown: MANILA. ♥
The “Apple” of My Eye
As mentioned in my previous post, here it is! My own separate blog entry about Hottie from A Faraway Land #4 AND the “Apple” of my eye these days: Reed Paul Smith Powell Jobs or simply Reed.
Oh I don’t know! I don’t really have a particular “goal” with this post… What I DO know is I just want to GUSH about Reed! After all, this is my personal blog = my personal space to write anything and everything I want — including my crazy antics and lovelorn moments! Chos! Hahaha!
ANYWAY…
Forgive me if this seems like a “crazy” post. Heehee. Honestly, I’m not EXACTLY sure when and why my “interest” in the “Prince of APPLE” has started, but thanks to my stalking ”research” skills, here are some fun facts about him:
He’s the only son of the late Steve Jobs (Reed has one older half-sister and two younger sisters).
He attended Crystal Springs Uplands School. Check out this video.
He currently attends Stanford University. AND he’s part of the Fencing Team! Astig!!!
He wants to be an Oncologist — and find a cure for the disease that took his father’s life.
He was born in September 1991. Therefore, he’s TWO YEARS younger than me. Kaloka lang!
He lives in Palo Alto, California…
…and I live in Manila, Philippines!
Haaay. So much for dreaming!!!
Lastly, mahirap maghanap ng “information” tungkol sa kanya… lalo na pictures — at halos lahat ng available, nagamit ko na yata dito sa blog ko! Haha! Kaya peeps, that’s all for now!
Hay naku. Basta ipagdasal niyo nalang na magkatuluyan kami kasi ‘pag nagkataon, baka isa kayo sa mga kaibigan kong bibigyan namin ni Reed ng libreng Apple products! I’ll call it THE APPLE BUNDLE, which includes an iPod Touch tenth generation, an iPad 10, an iPhone 10S, and a Macbook Sky! — ano daw? MacBook Sky?! Ampf! Wala na yatang mas co-corny pa sa’kin! Desperate times call for desperate CORNY measures, you know?! Baliw-baliwan lang! Wahahahaha!
Oh well papel. Too bad for me, he doesn’t even know I exist. :’(
As Marie Digby put it, “it’s in the stars that girls like ME and boys like HIM were never meant to be.”
Awww! Heartbreak, much? </3
—
*PLUG*
If you still haven’t gotten a copy of THIS, then I suggest you grab one NOW!
(Or at least RESERVE a copy because the last time I checked, it’s already SOLD-OUT!)
Steve Jobs‘
AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY
”I’m going to be in meetings 24/7 for probably two days and I want you to be in every single one because you’ll learn more in those two days than you would in two years at business school,” he told him. ”You’re going to be in the room with the best people in the world making really tough decisions and get to see how the sausage is made.” -Steve Jobs to his son Reed ♥
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
Book review COMING SOON!
Of Caffeine Fixes and *Fangirl-ing Moments*
Last Monday, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed… well, the right kind of wrong — I think! Why? Because while I was on my way to get my caffeine fix for the day, I was suddenly interrupted by two angels straight from Brazil and Japan respectively!!! Hahaha!
Okay, fine. I’m talking about Brapanese actors-slash-models Akihiro Sato and Fabio Ide. *squeal*
AKO NA... ako na ang na-sandwich sa gitna ng dalawang Brazilian-Japanese models! Hahaha!
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t really get starstruck that much (except if you’re Kate Middleton!) Simply put that way back in college, my school was a “breeding ground” for celebrities (teka, kasama ba’ko sa mga yun? SYEMPRE HINDI! Hahaha!) Anyway, I’m already used to seeing them because they were everywhere: classrooms, the cafeteria, hallways, libraries, parking lots, even restrooms! Besides, tao rin lang naman sila TULAD KO at TULAD MO! So what’s the BIG DEAL, right?
Yeah, I thought so too.
On that fateful Monday, I realized that there is a “deal” in fangirl-ing. It may not be “big,” but it’s still a DEAL nonetheless.
The deal is that fangirl-ing is FUN. Yes, I repeat: F-U-N.
FUNgirl-ing. Pwedeee!
Why “fun”? Simply because I was with my friends… and when you’re with your friends, you know that ANYTHING can happen! And when I say “anything,” kalokohan is included! Kalokohan. that. spells. FUN!
Alam niyo na… yung mga pa-simpleng sulyap… tapos ‘pag ready ka nang magpa-picture, aatras bigla. Pagka-atras, biglang tawanan! At hindi lang basta-basta tawanan — MALAKAS NA MALAKAS NA TAWANAN! Oh diba, other than LAUGHTER, what else can you use to measure FUN best?! WAHAHAHAHA!
Pagbigyan niyo na kami… kasi naman, bibili ka nga lang sana ng kape, bigla nalang may sasalubong sa’yong Akihiro at Fabio! At higit sa lahat, nalibre pa yung kape mo! Whew. Oh well papel. That’s one of the perks of working in the country’s “business district” AND in one of the business district’s awesome-est buildings! CHOS
But anyway, let’s go back to fangirl-ing. I swear if I hadn’t been with my friends, I WOULDN’T have given in to my inner fangirl-self…
…but I swear if I hadn’t given in to my inner fangirl-self, I would’ve REGRETTED it too — BIG TIME! Miss the opportunity to pose beside two freakin’ hawt guyysss? No way, man! Kaya friendsss, THAAANKS! Fangirl-ing wouldn’t be complete without you!
That’s right. FUNgirl-ing won’t be the same without thy FRIENDS.
After all, encounters like this can make you truly think that there are “MANY FISH” in the sea…
Akihiro OR Fabio? ♥♥♥
…so don’t go sulking over one “fish” — real or not! Wahahahaha!
Lastly, being a fangirl isn’t limited to being a fan of “guys!” It can just simply mean that you’re A FAN. Period.
Let me share with you my other “fangirl” moments:
with Robi Domingo
with Josef Elizalde
with celebrity sisters, Megan and Lauren Young
Just a friendly reminder though:
It’s okay to give in to your fangirl-selves every once in awhile… but sooner or later, be sure to SNAP OUT OF IT! Besides, just like anything else (yes, caffeine included), “too much” is bad.
Yes people, too much fangirl-ing is dangerous to your health!!! So best to do it moderately.
But you can make an EXCEPTION from time to time, too! Heehee.
—
And since we’re already on the topic of being a fangirl, I’m encouraging YOU all to grab a copy of the newest book of Candy Magazine‘s Assistant Lifestyle Editor, Marla Miniano:
with Ms. Marla
Fangirl is available wherever Candy Magazine is sold.
Fangirl is Ms. Marla‘s FIFTH NOVEL. Amazing, isn’t she? Anyway, I’m already done reading it and I give it a rating of: ♥♥♥♥♥
So grab a copy now and sympathize with Summer (the protagonist) as she experiences the wonderful world of FUNgirl-ing!
The end.
Gotta Love Books! ♥
Today, I went to the 32nd Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center.
The SMX Convention Center
I looove books! Be it fiction or nonfiction, I can say that I can read both! But then again, who doesn’t love books, RIGHT? Well if you don’t, I recommend that you start doing so NOW! It’s never too late to get interested in them and attend book fairs here and there! Heehee. Anyway, this is my second time to attend the Manila International Book Fair, and I plan to keep this as some sort of a yearly “tradition.” And this year, I went with my childhood friend Meeko with only three “goals” in mind:
First, have my Before Ever After (read my blog entry about it here) copy signed by the author (Samantha Sotto) herself PLUS attend the book discussion that came after it. CHECK and CHECK!
Book Signing
"To Mika, follow the chickens!" ♥
Meeko, yours truly, and Samantha Sotto
Book Discussion
Next, buy a copy of The Dukan Diet by Dr. Pierre Dukan! (F.Y.I: this is the pre-wedding diet of Kate Middleton! Haha!) = CHECK! But as to whether or not it’s effective FOR ME, then I guess we’ll just have to WAIT and SEE!
Of course, I bought other books as well, but having done what I really came there for was really satisfying! As my friend Meeko said, “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!”
Meeko and Mika!
Can’t wait for the 33rd Manila International Book Fair!!!
Admit it, we just GOTTA. LOVE. BOOKS!!!
♥♥♥
Three Things “Before Ever After” Made Me Reflect On…
First thing’s first. I’ve to admit, I judged a book by its cover! It was one random August Friday when I decided to go inside National Bookstore and saw this:
And as a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, I instantly grabbed it and didn’t have any second thoughts. C’mon, I’m practically Kate Middleton‘s self-proclaimed NUMBER ONE FAN! So if the words fairy and tale and ever and after don’t catch my attention, then there must be something wrong with me! Hahaha! But seriously, I only decided to read the book’s synopsis when I was already THIS|CLOSE to the cashier! Having admitted that, I guess I “judged” well because now, I’m done reading it and I have my TWO THUMBS UP! Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the book is internationally published and has a Filipina author — a full-blooded Filipina at that! So yeah, it’s warm and fuzzy all the way!
Before Ever After is written by Samantha Sotto, and it’s a one of kind novel that makes its main character (and readers!) discover “that not all stories end where they are supposed to.” It’s a book that combines love, life, history, and even chickens and eggs all in one very compelling story that is worth reading! Which made me come up with the following things (in alphabetical order) to reflect on:
EUROPE. Austria, England, France, Italy (including Ancient Rome), Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland are some of the European countries you can travel to just by reading this book alone! I’ve never been to Europe. If only I can travel to Italy and the U.K., I’ll already be content. It’s always been one of my lifelong dreams to travel there and I’m not giving up! Hehe. Anyway, I know a few people (actually, A LOT of my family and friends) who’ve been to Europe and they don’t have anything to say about the continent except for GOOD STUFF. So yeah, they’re lucky people indeed! But for us who still have YET to apply for Schengen and U.K. visas, don’t fret! I still consider us lucky! Why? Well, I have two justifications to somehow sweeten our “bitterness” (haha!):
First, we get to be creative and enhance our imagination. Sure, there are pictures. Sure, there are movies. But don’t you think it’ll be nice to know that once you finally go to Europe, the things that were once confined only in your thoughts will already be in front of you? If not, then I guess that’s just me. But the mind works wonders, people! I repeat, THE MIND WORKS WONDERS!
Second, we have something to look forward to. Yes, those who’ve been to Europe can always go back, especially if they threw a coin and made a wish at the Trevi Fountain! But you know, there’s always something special about THE FIRST TIME… something to look forward to. I couldn’t emphasize more on that.
LIFE. Hmm… how do I go about this without spoiling the story? Haha! Fine. Let me take an excerpt from the book itself to explain what I mean to say:
“Our world, after all, is what we choose to create around us, here and now. We build homes, towns, cities, civilizations — grander than all that came before, but never enduring. Etruscans. Egyptians. Greeks. Romans. Venetians. Where are their empires now? Where are the worlds they built? Gone. Judged. Ended. But life goes on. We take our shattered bricks, spread our plaster, and build again… hoping that we are starting over for the last time.”
Yeah. THAT and have you ever thought about immortality? If you could live forever, would you be up for it? WHY? — if you could answer that “simple” question, then I guess we’re done here. ’Nuff said.
LOVE. Ooh! Here we go again with that warm and fuzzy feeling! ♥ But seriously, I don’t think that any story will be complete without a touch of love in it! Don’t you agree? Anyway, Max and Shelley‘s love story is basically the alpha and the omega of Before Ever After, and I’ve to warn you, theirs is a love story that conquers ALL. If I may say, walang sinabi sina Alladin and Jasmine, Jack and Rose, Romeo and Juliet, Samson and Delilah… Hihihi. But the good thing about the book is it covers “love” in the broader sense of the word. Love for the opposite sex is already a given. But you know, there’s also love for life, love for friends, and most of all, love for family:
“My parents died, but I was never an orphan. Nonno was my family. He raised me as his son and there was not a single day that I doubted that. Even now. You can make a child believe a lot of things. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny… just about anything really, except love. You cannot make a child believe you love him if you don’t. My grandfather loved me, Shelley. I know that. Whoever else he was or turns out to be, he was and always will be Nonno to me. My childhood was not a lie. And I don’t think your life with Max was, either.”
There. I highly recommend Before Ever After because there are many other things you can learn from reading it. Whether you are male or female, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as long as you love traveling, have a sense of adventure, are interested in history, and just love life for what it is! Of course the three things you’ve just read (Europe, Life, and Love) are just “me,” so feel free to make your own list of things to reflect on. Having said that, I give this book an OVERALL RATING of: ♥♥♥♥♥
Lastly, most people may think that “happily” precedes “ever after” only in fairy tales. But if there was one thing Ms. Sotto’s book taught me, it would be to think otherwise. I say our “ever after” will depend on what WE make it to be. Always.
—
Look who saw this very entry (thanks to Twitter!):
Oh lovely! ♥
P.S: Samantha Sotto will be signing books on September 18, 2011 (Sunday) at the Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center. She’ll be at the National Book Store Booth from 1:30-2:30PM. She’ll also be answering questions at the panel discussion at 3:30-4:30PM (meeting rooms 5 and 6). I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get to meet her and have my book signed! See you there, yes?
(Read about the book signing/discussion here.)
