The Sunday Currently # 24

So I'm writing this at quarter to midnight and I just realized that my last Sunday Currently entry was a year ago—specifically, June 17. Yup, it's been that long and I don't really have any excuse for that.

Anyway, here I go.

Since I had been writing on my journal since June 14 (?) of this year, I thought that I should be dedicated in posting here, as well. I'll try, but to be honest, I'm still unsure if I could do it.

In any case, let's start.

So this Sunday, I'm currently...

Book Comment: "Hidden City Series # 1: Lost In The Shadows" by Kyra Wheatley

In any case, I am finally done reading this book after weeks of doing so bits by bits since I got busy with other things. And to think I decided to actually for this book after playing the game version of this story. I've always like playing hidden objects games similar to Hidden City. But more so about hidden object games with a storyline. Though the book version and the game version had MCs with different backgrounds about how they got into the City, the places and possibly the items indicated are the same.

From the time I discovered that there is a book version of the game, I really had the urge to complete it and read it. Unfortunately, I only got two out of five books in this series. In any case, I guess I'll be able to find a way to have the other books.

So in this book, the MC named Nicole was able to go to the City (rather by force) with what appears to have something to do with her missing grandmother's necklace and several visions that she couldn't fathom the origin at the time.

Regardless of the character names and other changes, I still find this book fascinating as I was able to see—at least in my head—what it's like to have an adventure in the mysterious City. From the shadows, the places, and the items that appeared in both the game and the book, everything really made me feel as if I was transported there like Nicole.

The first book was short (if you only consider the number of chapters) since this only have 8 chapters, but each chapters were long. Almost like a 254 pages novel. Or maybe that's just what I think, though. But this book definitely left me in a major cliffhanger. For real. The kind that makes you want to read the next book already to know what happens next. But then again, I have to focus first on my other currently reading book list.

Anyway, this is my short review—if you can actually call this a proper review. Hopefully, I could finally read the next book soon.

journal entry #15

Just bought a new pen... and it's still green. 😊 I don't know but it looks like I've taken a liking of that pen color for my journal. So I'll stick in writing there using a green-colored pen — at least for now. Who knows? There is still a tendency that I could change my mind.

So that's one thing different that happened today.

My mom and I went out to the market today, as well. That's in continuation for my sister's team building at her workplace and according to her, they would be heading somewhere in La Union. I forgot the name of the place but I know it's going to pass San Fernando. At this point, I think they already reached the place.

As I'm writing in my journal, I'm rewatching the episodes in Dating Alone that featured Seo Kang Joon. Weird, I'm still watching it even though it wasn't subbed in English. And yet I'm watching it as if I could actually understand it. But I guess that's just me thinking of it that way. At first, I found it really awkward to watch the entire show even though the episodes wasn't subbed. I only relied on the hosts and the panelists' actions, including the actors featured in the episodes. But as I continue doing so — watching them — I found myself getting used to it. In fact, because of that, I'm continuing to study Korean words and phrases in Lingodeer and Drops app installed on my phone. Even though it wasn't enough, I'm still trying to learn.

At this point, as well, I'm trying my best to finish the story part for "Hope From Love's Memories". Maybe by tomorrow, I could finally post it. Anyway, we'll see.

For now, I'm going to say good night. 😊

journal entry #14

Okay. I know I wasn't able to write anything in my journal yesterday. But that's only because I felt that there was nothing for me to write, anyway. There wasn't anything different at all. Or maybe I just felt lazy to even write anything. I had those moments, you know.

So I'm sorry if I left a day here.

Though I'm going to write again that there was nothing much to tell here, I'm still here writing something. Small thoughts, maybe. One of them was that the two kids that we were taking care of before — Andrei and Althea — are here with us again. Well, they'll only be here until tomorrow morning or after lunch, according to their parents. And there was one thing noticeable about Althea (since she got a new haircut) and my first sister. They could really pass off as mother and daughter because they resemble each other. Honestly speaking, because of that resemblance, people would never believe that these two are completely unrelated to each other.

At this point, I don't know what else to tell. But I guess this is better than not having written anything at all, huh?

the last sky of the earth 84 - let's prepare!

Kourin felt it was a bad idea to ask Tetsuya to help her prepare for her date. But so was Amiko. Both had not helped her choose the right dress that would suit her for her first date. Then again, bakit ba siya umasa na matutulungan siya ng mga ito?

"My lady, you're truly taking this seriously, aren't you?"

She faced Tetsuya who was only looking at her with a teasing smile on his face as soon as she groaned. She was allowed to punch this guy's face for acting this way, right? Gagawin niya iyon kahit alam niyang mali at wala naman talaga itong kasalanan.

"Siyempre, kailangan kong seryosohin ito, ‘no? How am I not supposed to take this seriously when it's my first date? And it's to the guy I liked for a long time..."

journal entry #13

It was my sister's birthday today! Love, love! But just like last year, I only greeted her through SNS and not personally. I know, it's disappointing of me as a sister. And yet until now, I have to ask myself why I didn't greet her personally. Anyway, she just turned 24 —and she already had a boyfriend. She really beat me to it.

Anyway, anything about relationships and such — don't expect anything from me. It's not like I'll even have one. Even though people would keep on saying that the time for me to meet "the one" hadn't come just yet, there are times that waiting could really be tiring. At least for me.

But let's not talk about that.

Anyway, nothing much had happened — again. What a boring day, I know. Even my writing hadn't made any progress at all. Yup. I really think laziness just struck me. I hate it.

Thankfully, my red days ended today. I won't have to be so moody anymore — unless provoked and for the time being, as well. For now, I guess I'd be able to concentrate on the things that I should be doing. I really have to finish it. I have to.

Finding the motivation isn't going to be easy. But I really have to try, to do something bout it.

Good night, for now. And also, good night to my "the one" somewhere out there... wherever he is at the moment. Is it possible for me to dream about you tonight? 😊❤️

journal entry #12

Nothing much had happened, other than the fact that, slowly, I'm progressing with writing some of my thoughts about the quotes I have posted on Instagram. Most of them were, I think, based on an imaginary relationship, imaginary break-up, and about an unrequited love that perhaps I still couldn't let go. It's really getting hard recalling something — my one regret, maybe — that would only make me question a lot of things about my life. About the what if's, about the things I should've done a long time ago.

But I never took any steps to achieve any of them. I never decided to "discover new oceans" for me to travel onto, to sail onto. I became afraid to step up and lose sight of the "shore". I became afraid of taking another risk. I never moved on after that. I became stuck on the same feeling, same memory, same regret that all it could do was to torture me.

Sorry... I wasn't supposed to make any more drama here. But I guess I couldn't help it. I think I kind of lost it. Even in writing, I think things like that happens.

Anyway, I have to end this here since I really have to sleep already. I slept late yesterday and I needed to recuperate somehow. Hopefully, by this morning, I could finally continue writing any of my stories and those IG quotes I posted.

Good night!

journal entry #11

Oh, well. I guess there are truly moments where I will end up late in writing in my journal. Sorry. I got distracted with Instagram, that's why. That, and some other thoughts I'd rather not mention here only because I found them to be a bit nonsense.

I'm still dealing with red days — and the slight pain that goes with it. Yes, there's still a bit of pain. So I guess I'm doing this quite short again, huh?

So, today...

journal entry #10

I'm not late. Yes! But it's already 11:45 in the evening, so it's nearing midnight, anyway. I'm still having pain because of red days so I'm only going to write this short. I'm watching "Dating Alone" again even though there's no sub. Seriously, what is wrong with me? Or is there even something wrong with me in the first place?

Right now, I couldn't tell.

Anyway, about today, only a few things are different.

• My youngest sister enrolled today for college. It's a good thing she prepared her requirements. But much to my surprise, I heard that my father paid for her tuition in full. I thought he's really going to do it in installment, though.
• Finally finished typing the quotes that were on my phone. I'm actually posting those quotes on my Instagram and I'm following a certain posting pattern, though. Weird, huh?

I told you, this is just something short as I have nothing to say here right now. I guess I really have to blame it on my red days right now. The pain could really make me moody — and lazy — sometimes. Even writing here feels tiresome to me at the moment. But I have made a promise to write here everyday, if I can.

And I will do that.

So I'm going to say goodnight for now. 😊

journal entry #9

Currently playing the Japanese song "Love Is..." by Tiara and KG.

Anyway, let's see... Was there anything different that happened yesterday?

journal entry #8

It's nearing 12 midnight and yet I'm only starting to write here just now. Not that I've forgotten, of course. Distracted was the right word for that. So should I start with listing what's different today? I think I just kept doing that since I started writing on the journal, huh? Despite having the same routine (well, almost the same) every day, there would still be things that will make it completely different from the other.

Anyway, here goes:

• Hearing the news that one of the Filipino actors I adored had passed away after being in coma for days. So in this small portion, I'd like to say thank you so much to Mr. Eddie "Manoy" Garcia for every contribution you gave to the Philippine cinema and the Filipino entertainment industry itself. Thank you for everything that made me adore you, even when I was a kid. Thank you... and rest in peace.

The Last Sky Of The Earth 83 - Invitation To A Date

"You just got discharged two weeks ago and now you're on the roll to ask me on a date? Nasisiraan ka na yata ng bait, eh. O baka naman gusto mong mag-stay pa ng ilang araw sa ospital." The way Kourin had asked that question could go even more incredulous than how she did it at the moment. But Seiichi's question that day when they met — rather accidentally — at a bookstore could make it possible.

"Yes. Is there something wrong with that? Seryoso ako sa sinasabi ko, kung iyon ang ipinag-aalala mo."

Of course, there was something wrong! How could he not realize that? Was this guy on high for saying that? That was not the reason, right? But in all honesty, Seiichi was surely not himself for saying this to her. Kahit sabihin pang sinabi na nito na seryoso ito.

At least, Kourin thought of it that way. Then again, could she even deny that she felt good and warm when he had asked her that? To her, it felt like a dream come true. How long had she been secretly dreaming to see this day finally come true in front of her? Mula pa noong huling beses na magkasama sila sa Japan.

journal entry #6

I thought about not going to make it in time. Hehe! I just finished eating the burgers I bought earlier and drank my Vitamin E (which is the only dietary supplement I have, by the way) before writing this. Oh, right. I should be including about me applying micellar on my face quite late, as well. You know, when I went to Watsons earlier, I was contemplating on whether or not I should buy a face mask (those tissue mask that people apply to their faces before going to sleep). But in the end, the only thing I bought was a small powder. Body and face powder, to be exact.

Weird of me, I know. But it seems I wasn't ready to apply face mask on my face for some reason. Even though I'm starting to become conscious on how I look recently, I think I couldn't get myself ready to step up somehow.

journal entry #5

Just great. Why do I keep forgetting the date today? Okay, maybe not just today, but recently, as well. Signs of aging, perhaps? I'm turning 28, anyway. Not only that, the right side of my nose slightly hurt for some reason and I have to figure out why.

Anyway, I didn't do much today other than the usual. Should I list the ones that are different?

Here they are. I think it's better this way.

• I paid for this month's electric bill, so yes. I ended up going out of the house.
• After paying the bill, I went to various stalls in Maharlika and Center Mall to find cardigans. Long cardigans, to be exact. I was able to buy two for ₱80.00 each.
• This actually happened around midnight. I was still awake at the time. I ended up changing my IG username from fjad830 to florencejoycead830 after blocking someone. I haven't done that (the blocking part) in months. I don't mind being friendly on IG but seriously, don't make me do things I don't want to. And don't say things easily like you're assuming that you're the person I'm going to choose to be with. I'm truly scared with that kind of approach and it makes me really uncomfortable. So sorry if it came out mean. But the one thing I hate is assuming that you're the guy for me. Assuming things had given me too much trauma since 6th grade.
• Aside from changing my IG username, I also changed my profile picture. I did a few more changes on the pictures I chose — from rain, an original character I drew a long time ago, to a song lyric from one of EXO's songs — before settling to a picture of a light teddy bear reading a book on a table. The teddy bear is something I really want right now, if I have to be honest. Haha!

So there you go. Not much, but at least there's something different. And as I recall it now, I forgot to add one more thing. I remember watching something on Youtube a long time ago, about certain signs that one's soulmate is coming near. One of the signs I remembered was about unconsciously doing things to make yourself beautiful — make-ups, beauty tips, things like that. I actually started becoming quite conscious about how I look just this year. There had been certain changes about the way I want to present myself whenever I go out and head to town recently that made me feel weird sometimes. But I'm still doing it.

Then also, the amount of selfies/selcas I've been taking this year. If I were to base it on my usual number of selfies taken in a week, the ones I had since the start of this year jad tripled. Seriously speaking...

Now I want to ask this question as I end writing today's entry here: What is going on with me right now?

Anyway, good night! (⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠)

My Final College School Article

Before I graduated in college, I wrote this small article about our field trip last February 16-17, 2015. This was the second article I wrote for our school newspaper that time. Sadly, I never got my own copy so I have no idea what the final output of the article in the newspaper looked like. I would’ve taken a picture. I also haven’t been able to take pictures of the aforementioned places concerning the two groups. So most of what I’ve mentioned here was from my own experience and a few verbal accounts from the students of the other departments who also went to the field trip.

All in all, even though it was just a short trip, it was fulfilling for me since I don’t get to go out of the town that much. I really wish I could still find some time to travel even just here in the Philippines. I’d do my best to ignore the scorching heat if I would really be given another chance to travel outside Baguio.

Anyway, this wasn’t an article written by a professional so I’m sure you’d find mistakes, especially in the structure of the article. Even still, I hope you’d enjoy reading this one! You can probably think of this as just a blog entry rather than an article for a school newspaper. I think that’s for the best.

journal entry #3

Another day has passed again. And this is my first Saturday writing in that diary. That means I've been writing there for three days straight, as well. It's already an achievement, you know. I went out again today and headed to the market. I also bought more personal things on Watson's since I want to take advantage of the fact that I have money to buy them. I'm not sure if I mentioned it there previously, but I don't usually buy personal things like cologne/perfume, toothpaste (whitening ones), and even micellar cleansing water and even whitening soaps since I don't really give that much of a care about my skin. But only this year that I actually gave a damn about it.

Sorry for my word usage. I don't do this often, to be honest. And even if I do want to say something bad, I'd rather keep it to myself and not talk about it. That's because I kept on remembering Conan/Shinichi's words from the Detective Conan movie "The Quarter of Silence" and an episode of Detective Conan titled "Three Days with Hattori Heiji". They were said like this:

• "Words are like knives. Once they come out of your mouth, you'll never be able to take them back. There are cases of broken friendship that should've lasted long if not for verbal abuse..." — This was from the DC movie "The Quarter Of Silence".
• "Words can be a double-edged weapon Use those words with discretion... no matter who it is you're dealing with..." — This was from a DC episode "Three Days with Hattori Heiji".

I only wrote these as I remembered them, though. They may not be the exact translation, but they're still similar. And trust me, these lines never left my mind. Probably the real reason why, even though I wanted to talk back or burst out and tell what I really feel, I'd rather hold it in. It's not always a good idea, though, since it could give me enough stress to deal with. Especially at night when I'm about to sleep. I think it's better that I bought that diary. I could just write down those frustrations I have. Or if it won't be like that, at least I could rant there through writing.

Anyway, I should end this here since I need to sleep already. It's Sunday tomorrow and not only that, it's also going to be a Father's Day celebration. I'm still unsure on how I will greet my father on it tomorrow since I could still feel some sort of strain in my relationship with him since my parents' separation in 2015. There are several issues that further created that strain after that and it's going to be long for me to mention here. But even so, he's still my father.

So, yeah. I'm ending this here by saying "goodbye".

Till tomorrow!

journal entry #2

It's 11:42 in the evening so I better write something here before the day ends. It still rained in the afternoon. I'm listening to a different music right now because at the moment, I don't have to listen to rain BGM online since it's already raining outside. Preferably, I'd only like to stay lying in my bed but I had to run an errand for my mother. We still have problems financially. I guess that's almost every people's problem right now.

But then again, I had to thank Dreame somehow for actually earning a little something from those that I've previously written. I still couldn't believe that I still managed to gain something from them. Aside from that, Miss May Herrera of FPH posted the photos for the first set of Pixie books on her Messenger and the FB page of FPH. So yeah, I'm still writing even though there's only little I could gain from them.

Thinking about it right now, I think I'm really glad that I remained holding on and do what I really love to do all this time ever since discovering this passion I had during elementary. 6th grade, to be precise. It was the same year in which I used my crush as my inspiration to strive for something, to write those words that always remained in my imagination.

I got nothing much to write about write now except for those I put above. I guess it's starting to become obvious about how boring my life is. Will there come a time that I'd be able to write something exciting here? About an unforgettable experience or a memorable, if not, life-changing moment? Maybe not today.

Who knows? Perhaps one day... before I knew it.

Anyway, let's stop here right now.

Good night!

journal entry #1

The day after Philippine Independence Day celebration. On this day, I bought a journal. Pero sa tingin ko, hindi tamang magsulat ako ng entry doon in English. Feeling ko, sasakit ang ulo ko, eh. Kaya lang, gusto ko talagang subukan. Siguro, may mga instances na English ang isusulat ko. Alam mo na, kailangang mag-practice.

Tingnan natin.

Anyway, it's been a while since I last owned a diary. Wait... Should I really call that a while if the last time I actually owned a diary was during my last year in high school? That was way back 2008 and I was in fourth year high school back then. So I think I shouldn't call it a while when in fact, more than a decade had already passed since then.

The Last Sky Of The Earth 82 - Knight's Scene: Eldest Knight

WALA namang dapat ikanerbiyos si Shigeru ngayong nasa Shinomiya mansion na siya. Kababalik lang niya galing sa huling misyong iniatang sa kanya may isang buwan na rin ang nakakaraan. Pero hindi nangangahulugan na wala siyang ideya sa anumang nangyayari sa mga kasamahan niya. Lalo na sa Shinomiya clan princess.

Isa iyon sa dahilan kung bakit naisipan ni Shigeru na umuwi na pagkatapos ng misyon niya. Bukod sa mga kapatid niyang panigurado ay aawayin na naman siya dahil hindi siya nakauwi kaagad gaya ng ipinangako niya sa mga ito, may nag-utos sa kanya na umuwi kaagad sa oras na matapos na niya ang mga dapat niyang tapusin.

At ngayon nga ay nasa harap na si Shigeru ng silid ni Mari. Ang 13th Knight ang nag-utos sa kanya na bumalik dahil may isang pabor daw ito sa kanya. Kilala niya si Mari na madalang pa sa patak ng utak sa tagtuyot kung humingi ng pabor sa kahit kanino. Babae man ito, hindi rin matitibag nang ganoon-ganoon lang ang pride nito. hindi lang bilang nakatatandang kapatid ni Kourin kundi bilang isa sa mga tagapangalaga ng Shrouded Flowers.

Kinalma muna ni Shigeru ang sarili bago kumatok sa pinto ng ilang ulit. 'Di nagtagal ay sinabi ng taong nasa silid na tumuloy na siya roon. Sa pagtuloy niya sa silid ay nakita niya si Mari na nasa office table at abala sa pagbabasa ng kung anong mga papeles.

Imera Character Introduction

IMERA (Konno Ayaka)

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A carefree Power Caster with a mischievious character on the side. But even with that, it was undeniable that her skill as a White Thunder Caster made her known all around. Especially when it was known that her skill was in par to that of Renna and Khidell. She has sworn loyalty to Miho and Hatsue upon meeting them after a round of duel because of the initial thought that they were enemies of the Power Casters. She was ready to kill them in that duel until Raimon stepped in and told her about who the two girls really were. After realizing that it was the truth, she decided to become the shield of the two girls in that war.

Atris Character Introduction

ATRIS (Shida Yuumi)

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A rogue Gold Dust Caster who had chosen to live within the forbidden Agarion Forest and start a new life outside of her faction there. From time to time, her cousin Aznos could be seen visiting her in the forest for a certain skill that she possessed—divination. She was the one who informed him and Zelross about the arrival of "the two lights" mentioned in the Power Casters' prophecy that could help them end the Great Dimensional War and save the Cloud Dimension. However, she remained confined in the forest since she left her faction. But her skills there as a Power Caster could par to that of the deadliest warriors in their history, as Xan had once proven.

Aznos Character Introduction

AZNOS (Suzuki Shogo)

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A skilled Gold Dust Caster who was a cousin of Yrneha's dead fiancé Kirion. Though at the time of the story, he already left the faction in order to search for his cousin's murderer. But he ended up encountering the two Light Casters from another world in one of his travels. With his help, he guided the two girls to where Zelross was and aided them, as well, in discovering their true mission in order to save the Cloud Dimension. He was seen close and was respected by both fellow Gold Dust Casters Navarre and Kailu.

Yrneha Character Introduction

YRNEHA (Takanashi Rin)

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A skilled Power Caster born from a Red Fire Caster father and a White Wind Caster mother. Like Elred, Elorshin, and Zelross, she had the ability of longevity. But this ability was one of the reasons why she chose to forsake the Red Fire Casters' faction where she grew up. Another reason was because of the death of her fiancé Kirion who participated in the battle that nearly wiped out the entire population of Power Casters 80 years ago. Because of the growing hatred in her for what happened, she became a cold and heartless warrior. But a fateful encounter with the youngest White Ice Caster became a catalyst for her to change her views about her ability and even the world.

Castien Character Introduction

CASTIEN (Yokohama Ryusei)

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A silent genius known to many both as a skilled White Dust Caster and a White Ice Caster whose loyalty to the Power Casters' duty was irrevocable, as Goren and Namys had proven. But his silent attitude stemmed from the deaths of his childhood friends who were killed during an ambush when he was a teenager. He dedicated his life trying to find the perpetrator responsible for their deaths and also to find one of his childhood friends Clanire who could've possibly survived the attack.

Eldred Character Introduction

ELRED (Ono Kento)

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A powerful White Ice Caster and was regarded as a legend in his faction because of his ability. However, at the age of 16, he chose to leave the faction for the point of wanting to find a reason to continue living besides fulfilling his duty as a Power Caster. Apparently, he knew about the death curse that Lyra was suffering from even before Zelross mentioned it to him. One revelation about his past turned out to be a key for Lyra to help her end the death curse once and for all.

Eroan Character Introduction

EROAN (Motoki Seiya)

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Cyran's White Sound Caster best friend and rival who was able to survive the attack meant to wipe out the entire White Fire Casters' faction since he was at the scene of the attack when it happened. But as a price for protecting Cyran, he suffered from partial retrograde amnesia, making him unable to remember anything about the past four years of his life, including Cyran and Raina.

Raina Character Introduction

RAINA (Kudo Haruka)

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One of Lyra's best friends and a skilled Green Wind Caster who always had a crush on Eroan but chose not to say anything about it, especially when the attack at the White Fire Casters' faction rendered him unable to remember the past four years of his life. And that included her.

Wyrran Character Introduction

WYRRAN (Chiba Yudai)

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Arun's best friend and Raina's stepbrother. He was known as the most talented White Dust Caster but soon left the faction in order to travel and find his biological father who disappeared during the Dimensional War 80 years prior. Later on, it was revealed that Arun also had the same reason for traveling the world.

Lyndis Character Introduction

LYNDIS (Iitoyo Marie)

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Zelross' niece and Renna's friend. It was always a mystery to many people as to how she became the niece of the Nephelus Agency's director who looked like a dragon while she looked human. She was a Yellow Thunder Caster and also Neia's childhood friend. She took pride of her kicking skills which could seriously knock down anyone who got hit by it. In addition to that, she had been assisting his uncle in the agency even at the young age because of her skills and intelligence.