Arlene Manocot's Blog, page 12

We Can All Be Beautiful, You and Me

When I was younger and so oblivious of what really matters in life, I thought beauty is only skin deep. that beauty can only be achieved only if you are perfect, if you aren't, then being beautiful is too far from your reach. And this kind of mindset pestered me unceasingly during my adolescent years and early and late 20s, I thought I can only be called beautiful, only if I am perfect, free from all flaws and imperfections. I wanted to be a good example of the manufactured beauty of society. I did the best I could in my own way to be perfect, but in the end, I was far more than being perfect, even light-years away. The sad part during those times of insecurities and dissatisfaction with my physical appearance is I took for granted some people who appreciated and accepted me the most, the real me, the imperfect me, with a beauty that I failed to recognize because of the unrealistic expectations from myself.
It is only in recent years that I finally accepted that true beauty is more than meets the eye. That anyone and everyone can be called beautiful. The true beauty that we all possess within us is something that we fail to recognize most of the time. I thought beauty is something that I see physically from celebrities, models, and the likes. They are all gorgeous and I thought I wanted to become like them, look like them, but I was so wrong trying to copycat them. I may not look like any other celebrities or models out there, but I am glad that it is never too late for me to accept and appreciate the imperfections I have and recognize the true beauty God has given me. 
You can be beautiful outside but completely rotten inside. Cliche and supernatural it may sound, I feel most beautiful when I have peace and contentment, and when I said peace, I mean "the" true peace.
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 
1 Peter 3:3-4
You Can Be Beautiful by Diana Reyes is another preloved book that I got from my co-teacher. It took me more than a month to finish this book. I have to be honest I disagree with some of the ideas I encounter from this book. You may want to read the book to know exactly what I mean. In general, it is a self-help book that showcases practical tips on how to be beautiful, especially for women. You have all the right to apply or not to follow the recommended tips that you may come face to face from the book. It is helpful in its own way and you can get some helpful reminders to improve or add light to the way we see beauty.

Jujutsu Kaisen makes GojoHime a Canon (Onegaishimasu...)

I just finished another series. 

Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime series based on a manga by Gege Akutami. Attack On Titan Season 4 led me here. They are both produced by Mappa Studio. I like the style of the characters I mean who wouldn't. (hehe) So, as I watched the series I learned that Jujutsu Kaisen is translated in English as Sorcery Fight.

I was hesitant to take a chance on this series since it has a violent theme and a lot of fight scenes are to be expected that's why I withdrew from watching JJK right away after finishing the season of AOT. After a month or two have passed, I finally had the courage to watch Jujutsu Kaisen. I had a high expectation for JJK since I heard and read a lot of raving about it, and again I repeat, the graphic style of the characters really got me at first sight. Just like many of us, if not all, I must say that Gojo Satoru did all the luring. He expectantly charmed the anime fans into watching Jujutsu Kaisen. (haha)

I haven't read the manga, and I am never planning to. I guess I'll stick to its anime series for now, and wait for the second season since the author is on hiatus. 

Jujutsu Kaisen falls under the genre of adventure, dark fantasy, and supernatural, I decided to prepare my heart and mind, and it is a good decision I made. There are a lot of fight scenes in JJK and deaths are something that is unavoidable. Heartbreaking as it is, it is a reality that humans have to reconcile with; be it in your favorite story or in real life. But still, it is difficult for me to move on whenever someone has to say goodbye in the series. There are also hilarious scenes in the series which I think balance the morbidity a little.

Mappa Studio never fails to amaze me with their production. The fight scenes were incredibly and smoothly executed. It felt eerie watching the fight scenes and your heart won't be able to rest. It is a good anime to watch if you prefer this kind of genre, but if not please pass on this one.

This is not a romance-themed story and I am aware of that, but I just can't help to notice the chemistry and possible budding of romance between Iori Utahime and Gojo Satoru. If you have watched or you are planning to watch the series I am sure that you will notice it too. I totally ship them. They can be a canon, soon. (hehe)

Canon or Fanon?

Have you watched or are you planning to watch JJK? Share your thoughts. 

Boy Meets Girl, But When Will My Turn Come?

If I'll be honest, this book definitely got tons of tears from me. It is not about a drama, but this book made me realized of the wrong things this I have been doing and worldly perspective of being in a relationship. It hurts a little, but really I must say it hurts so much to be convicted of how wrong I was in the past. I was self-centered and wanted a relationship that was centered on me. I imagined a very unhealthy and ungodly relationship. I was always looking for the wrong kind of relationship which thankfully never transpired or even migrated to the next level. I now consider those unfruitful longing as God's way of protecting me from the worst.
Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship by Joshua Harris is a self-help Christian book about dating and relationships. It is a pre-loved book I got from my co-teacher who persistently asked me to buy the book along with other titles, and I am so glad I gave in to her and bought them. She even lured me by saying that if I buy those books I would be able to get a partner right away and I knew that she was just bluffing, and honest to goodness, I didn't give in to her because of that (hehe). I just genuinely like to get the books even though I was hesitant at first since I just recently bought a few titles from NBS Sale at that time, so I was trying to cut my expenses with book buying and didn't want to got beyond the budget.
So again, as I mentioned I am happy to have this book and finally read it since I have always been curios about this title because I have seen it many times from some of the book themed group page on Facebook. Unlike any other books that I sell after reading them, this one is for keeps I have no intention of selling it even thought it has some misprints particularly on chapter 7, there are two chapter 7 in this edition. But if I get to buy a better edition then I might change my mind. 
Boy meets girl, but when will my turn come? Hmm... I no longer dwell so much on that question these past few years. I learned from my D-Group leader to pray for it, to pray for him, if he is part of God's plan in my life. I even prayed that if it isn't His will, please remove or take away this desire in my heart, but guess what He hasn't. I already surrender this to the Lord and through His grace I try to live a life that is glorifying to His name and I am still trying until now. I desire to have a relationship that is wholly God-centered. I may doubt my faith in Him sometimes, but He remains faithful. 

"God's way really is best. His timing is perfect. Wating on Him is more than worth it. Honoring Him and practicing His principles as you walk the path to marriage will lead you to the greatest joy and fulfillment." ~Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris

    
Page 211 got me sobbing and reflecting hard, and I was greatly reminded of God's love and grace. I super recommend this book. It offers a holistic approach to dating and relationship and covers everything you need to know before getting ahead of yourself if you are "under the influence".
Read this book and tell me what you think, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Big Bad Wolf Returns to PH in the New Normal

 

Finally, alas! Our waiting is never in vain. The Big Bad Wolf is coming to town.
This is what we all have been waiting for my fellow bookworms. For those of you who do not know what or who is the Big Bad Wolf. Let me brief you a little. According to their Facebook page, Big Bad Wolf Books (The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale or BBW Books) is a Malaysian book fair frequently held in Malaysia, Thailand Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The books were majorly taken from the stocks of BookXcess, a book store dealing in excess or remaindered books from international distributors. The Sale was the brainchild of BookXcess founders Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng. It was first held on 13–18 May 2009 for 5 days at Dataran Hamodal, Petaling Jaya. 
The book fair sells all kinds of book genres, for example, fiction, non-fiction, novels, literature, children's literature, and young adult fiction. It also sells merchandise including collectible books and posters, wallpaper, movie posters, tin-plated signs, and their own merchandise.
Big Bad Wolf first arrived in the Philippines in the year 2018 and has been going on since then. We are so used to physical displays of thousands and thousands of books and for me, it is always a sight and a paradise to experience BBW at the World Trade Center, Manila. I am glad that despite our situation right now, the team behind BBW made it possible to bring us the book fair we all have doubted to come into reality this 2021. But here we are now, it is happening again, finally!
Our most awaited book sale will go online this year and we will all experience and enjoy discounts up to 99% OFF for everyone in the Philippines, nationwide. Isn't that a lot better compared to the other years? The book fair will be OPEN ONLINE from June 30 - July 7 in the BBW's exclusive portal: https://signup-ph.bbwbooks.com/. Sign up now, because I already did!

Yes, God, Yes But No, Please...

Stop. Don't read this blog entry if you aren't mentally, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually prepared. You have been warned. 
I saw the trailer and I was warned that the movie was never what I thought it would be. I was hesitant to blog about it. It is not as wholesome as I expected it to be. And right now, I am not even sure if I should publish this one on my website. But one thing is for sure, I don't recommend watching this movie if you ain't ready mentally, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually. If you aren't, then this movie isn't for you.
It is a coming of age movie, about a teenage girl who discovers masturbating. Again, don't watch this if you aren't prepared mentally, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually. The movie is under the genre of comedy, it's cute, and sure we all have some laughs with this one, yet I can't help but be drawn with the subtle and emphatic message of the story. 
We live in a world where we are often judge by what people heard from others and sometimes, if not always, we are surrounded by self-righteous humans who think they know exactly how life works and they put on a facade like they have it all together. Being wrongly judged is something that we all don't want to happen, but sometimes people believe whatever they hear or if not they tend to talk about it endlessly. Such an unhealthy way of fellowship. This reality in life is something that is evident from this movie.  It is sad and hard, yet we have to be fully armed with the right weapon to counter this kind of attack. It is a spiritual battle and you should be prepared. So pray. It is important that we respect and love each other, and help one another to live a life leading to the right path. We are all trying to figure out life. 
Yes, God, Yes is a movie that I will never recommend to young souls out there, so please NO.

Sweet Home is not your typical Home Sweet Home

Sweet Home may sound blissful and romantic, but don't be fooled by its sweet title. I have watched this Korean TV series a month ago, and I was supposed to blog a review about it and things just happened again and days passed by and I neglected this space. I intended to keep me (and you) posted on my blog, but I failed again. However, I am back with another post about this Korean TV series, Sweet Home.
It is a show with an apocalyptic horror action-packed plot. A group of people are trapped in an apartment building and one of them is the main protagonist Cha Hyun-Soo who is a suicidal high school student. The residents of the building are confused and fear ensues within them. They are desperate to get out of the building, but it does not take them longer to realize that it is not safe to outside. Their surrounding is pestered by monsters who eats humans.
Hyun-Soo gets infected with the virus which turns humans into monsters that later on enable him to gain power and use it to save the good and some twistedly wicked human beings who are trapped with him. The horror of seeing monsters in the human form is frightening and brings a realization of how far we can go just to entertain our own interest and human desire.  
When it comes to the graphics, they are undeniably horrifyingly beautiful. I mean the production team behind this series did an excellent job in giving the audience a realistic cinematography, and the actors effectively engaged the audience by how they played the characters. They just get through me. I am still looking forward to season two, but there is no news about it until now. Let's all hope that a sequel is already under planning. 
If you haven't watched this, I suggest you give a try and maybe you can tell me whether you like it as much as I did, or maybe not. Either way, let's engage. :)

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith is a young adult novel about Al with her two other friends Leo and Teddy. It is a story about luck and how it brought change into their lives. 
It is a book about first love and first major luck, which brings us to Al and Leo's funny gift for Teddy's birthday. Leo gave him a pack of cigarettes, and Al gifted him with a lottery ticket. The most unexpected thing happened when the lottery ticket gift won a whopping one hundred forty-three million dollars. 
Teddy hit the jackpot and had his life turned a hundred eighty degrees, all thanks to Al's gift on his eighteenth birthday. But it is not always a bed of roses when you've got yourself a lot of moneybags, the fortune he received also has its backlash which he finally realized later in the story. 
Al, on the other hand, tried to keep it all together expecting that the huge fortune they won had the potential to turn her normal life upside down and it was something uncalled for. She didn't want any of it. What she wanted was a normal life with her family and friends. Everything seemed to slip away within her grip and she didn't like the changes that were happening before her eyes, Teddy was getting further and further away to someplace she didn't want to be in.   
Alice Chapman a.k.a Al was a girl who brought luck to the person she loved when she thought nothing better could ever happen to her life as she was blinded and paralyzed by the sad past she held dearly in her heart. She never thought that luck could find her or any of her closest family and friends. 
Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith reminds us that maybe, just maybe, luck will find us one day, and probably win a huge fortune like Teddy or in Al's case, find where she truly belongs.     

P. S. In a world where luck is nowhere to be found, let God find you.

Attack On Titan Sinks the Ship

Last month, I watched the final season of Attack On Titan or Shingenki No Kyojin in its anime version. It's good, but sad. 
I am more inclined to its manga version. I get the feeling that I might miss some details if I plunged into the anime series right away. But I stopped reading manga for almost or over a year and deleted the manga reader app on my phone, so I lose track of what chapters I last read from all the bookmarked manga titles I had before the hiatus.
I read more than I should. I had to stop. ~Circa 2019 to 2020
Praise God for stepping on the break!
Now here in 2021, the end and the final season of Attack On Titan was always the one I got to see on my feeds. At first, I declined the offer of the media to indulge myself to another heartbreaking, action-packed, tragic, and breathtaking story from Hajime Isayama.
I find the graphics of the last season more attractive. Mappa studio made the series this time around.
The manga already ended and it broke me to tears, seriously. Good thing, I recover faster nowadays. Praise God! But the anime version isn't over yet. The fandom still awaits for its final installment. Some changes might happen in the anime version, maybe a lighter ending for Eren and Mikasa, 'cause I really ship them. And I also don't want to get my hopes up so I do prepare my heart if anything worse happens in the story. I want to see Levi Ackerman again, and maybe ask him to marry me, just kidding. 
A lot of ships did not sail in Attack On Titan, and for some reasons I could not hate the author like I usually do, sorry. I know he has his reason why the story ended up that way. I kind of accepted it and at the same time still remained hopeful.

He Caused All Things Work Together for Good

He owns everything. Not a single thing is our own. We are merely stewards of God's creation. We are to serve Him. Even the life we have is His, and He wants us to make the most out of it. Our beloved family here on earth is also from Him. He owns them.
My father had shown his support to my mother during those moments of weakness. I knew so well that he was not like that in the past. He did change and it was a very long process. He cooked for us because my mother couldn't, using our tricycle he was the runner, and sometimes he was the dishwasher when it was not my turn. We were able to keep it together all by God's grace. And what he is now is only possible through God's power. I could not help but share this with you and praise Him with all my heart. We are very far from being a perfect family, and I doubt there is such a thing as a perfect family since a family is composed of imperfect human beings, but I grew to appreciate the kind of family I have. God gave them to me and they are exactly who I need in living a purposeful life here on earth.
Before I forgot to mention, my sister also helped in doing some laundry, and overcoming those seemingly unending weeks of struggle was a challenge for all of us.
I realized a lot of things in life during those times of trouble and I resolved to be a better daughter to my parents, to enjoy my time with them and serve, care, and love them the best I can through Him who strengthens me. I am still not the perfect daughter, but I am glad that God put a desire in my heart to honor and respect my parents in His perfect ways. I am also reminded that in times of trouble we can still remain hopeful, the true hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.
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Previous: HE SAID YES

He Said Yes

I wondered why God does not yet answer my prayers. I was questioning His silence. A conviction to ask the fellow believers with me weighed on me. I was hesitant to share my struggles with my sisters in Christ I thought I would be a burden to them and I did want that. It was my pride and hate that was holding me back and God does not want a proud and hateful child. He want us to be loving, humble and always be dependent on Him. He knows how far we can endure.
When she could not take it any longer, my mother asked and insisted we bring her to a doctor for a check-up since over-the-counter medicines were not helping her to ease her suffering. We went to different doctors, but it was already late in the afternoon, and it seemed like no one was willing to take in a patient who have symptoms similar my mother suffered with. We were frustrated and filled with uncertainties. A hospital has only the capacity to entertain patients with CoVid symptoms. 
My mother was swabbed test and we waited a few minutes for the result outside the hospital. We were not allowed to enter and we also did not want to. We were feeling agitated and my hate towards my sister grew bigger. I was browsing my social media account just to have a little diversion from the predicament we were all facing when I came across one of my sister's shared posts on her one of her social media accounts about something that was funny. I was furious that she did not even care that's why I reacted an angry emoticon on her posts. I knew it was childish but I had to vent out my disappointment towards her. But I retracted the angry emoticon later on when I surrendered the anger and disappointment. 
The result was negative. Praise God! I thanked and prayed to Him. She was also advised to be x-rayed and the film showed that she had phlegms in her lungs which was still alarming. The doctor prescribed her some medicines for her fever and dry cough. 
On the second day of taking her medicine, my mother was dissatisfied with the effect of the medicines. She still had difficulty with her coughing and felt like she could not breathe properly. She borrowed a nebulizer from her sister who was also my aunt and thank God, my very own sister assissted our mother in operating the nebulizer.
But my mother was far from being okay after the check-up and taking all those medicines. She did not feel any better. I was sad and hope seemed to be loosing my grip. I held on to the promises of God.
During one of our DGroup meeting and of the days of the online True Life Retreat 2021, I had the opportunity to tell my predicament in a conversation/Bible study with the fellow believers. They were compassionate and very willing to pray with me as my family went through health problems in the time of pandemic. I was humbled and grateful for God's answer when He said 'yes' to all of our prayers.
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Previous: HE STAYED SILENT



To be continued...