The Immortal

It’s been a long time since I read an adventure fiction book. First I thought this kind of book is not suitable for an adult, although they categorized it as a young adult book. I love and enjoy reading these books with its series. There are 6 books in the series… I have read the first 2 books.

The first book called, The Alchemyst {The Immortal Nicholas Flamel}

The story begins with teen twins Josh and Sophie discover, in a rather explosive way, that the San Francisco bookstore owner Josh works for is really Nicholas Flamel, a nearly 700-year-old alchemist who created the Philosopher's Stone, from which he and his wife Perenelle get the Elixir of Life. Their enemy is Dr. John Dee, who works for the Dark Elders, members of the Elder Race who are the source of most of humanity's ancient myths and legends. The Dark Elders want to reinstate their dominion over the Earth.

Dee kidnaps Perenelle and steals the Codex, an ancient book containing the secrets of magic, and a prophecy involving twins. But Josh accidentally grabs the final two pages, and now Dee and his masters are out to reclaim the pages, and enlist or kill the twins. As they race across the West Coast, members of the Elder Race begin lining up on both sides.


The Second book called, The Magician {The Immortal Nicholas Flamel}

Suddenly finding themselves in Paris thanks to a magical gateway, the twins Sophie and Josh, the immortal alchemist Nicholas Flamel, and the vampire warrior Scathach must face a new enemy: Nicollo Machiavelli. He's to collect the magical twins on behalf of the powerful magician Dee. Looking for any ally they can find in Flamel's home city, they run across Saint-Germaine, a former student of Flamel's who's versed in fire magic and currently tops on the techno music charts. But Germaine's house is known to Machiavelli, and it isn't long before scary creatures are unleashed to bring them in.

The second book is more exciting to me. THE MAGICIAN is just as fun and exciting as the first book, maybe more so because now Sophie's powers have been awakened and she gets to try them out -- and she's really got some neat tricks up her sleeve, especially after she trains in Saint-Germaine's fire magic. Twin Josh is brooding over not having his powers awakened yet -- and makes some "what were you thinking?!" decisions because of it -- but he still gets a heroic warrior moment with a particularly nasty monster.

The book takes readers all over Paris -- even below it into the creepy catacombs -- where all sorts of historical and mythological figures pop up. The author, an authority on mythology and folklore, really unleashes some fascinating creatures on readers and barely restrains himself from delving into each character's complex history -- which is why the book, which takes place over just a couple of days, is close to 500 pages.

For you who love fantasy stories, I highly recommended these books.

Special thanks to Nit2x, who generously lend me these books.

Source: www.commonsensemedia.org/...reviews

Making The Passport

I never make passport on my own. So, I was worried about a lot of things when I made it. Afraid of the interview, the officer, etc... I'm a worrier... (laughing).

I started the process by searching how to make a passport on the internet and asked a few friend how has the experience. According to them, the process was simple and easy. I have to buy the form, fill it up, and give it in to the officer. Just like that... Hmm, that should be a piece of cake... From the internet I found out that there are an online service for making a passport.

Well, I thought it would be easier if I try the online service. After scanning all the documents required by the Immigration Office, I tried the online service. I was disappointed. I filled the form and uploaded the documents but always failed due some error at their (Immigration office) server. That's it I gave up online service.

Here we go, the manual process. I went to the Immigration office on Tuesday. As a friend advice, I came early. I arrived at 8.00am and guess what? The office was opened but there are no officer. This office should be open by 8.00 yet I have to wait until they came. By 8.15 the office already crowded with people. The officer arrived at 8.20, so we started to queue to buy the application form.

After I filled the form, I went to the second floor where the whole process took place. Let's see! The counter was opened with no one behind it. So, I waited for 15 minutes. The officer came, I gave in the form, he checked all the documents. It didn't take much time. He gave me a receipt and schedule my next visit for interview.

My schedule for interview was 3 days later, Friday. This the horrible part. I came at 8... The counter was still closed. The officer came at 8.30, I queued for my form. I got my form back at 8.45 and the next thing I should do was paid at the cashier. Again! The counter was closed. I felt tired of waiting. I couldn't remember the exact time it opened. I got queue's number 3 for the interview and photo. I waited until 45 minutes when they finally called me to take my picture and another 20 minutes for the interview.

The most shocking moment was the interview process. The officer only asked me whether they wrote my name correctly. I said, yes and that's it. The interview was ended (laughing out loud). I mean, is that it? That's the only question? Gee... I have to wait this long for such question? Well, why don't the first counter's officer ask? It would save my time.

Well, in my opinion... "some people doesn't respect at other's time just to make them wait and wait.." Don't they know that waiting is a wasting of time?

I went back to the first counter to ask when I should be back for my passport. He said the passport should be done by next Friday. Whew!Next Friday when I came back, again I have to wait for the officer for 15 minutes. He took my receipt and told me to wait. After 30 minutes, I asked the officer how long I should wait? Explicitly he said that the officer who suppose to sign my passport hasn't arrive yet. So he asked me to go back after lunch. What the ?!@#*

I decided not to came back after lunch that Friday. Instead, I took my passport on Monday. Waited not for long, the officer handed me my passport. Yay! I finally have a passport and I'm proud of me because I made it by myself. This is it, my experience of making passport.

Me - East Meets West

I was born early due an incident. I only spend 8 months in my mother’s womb. Sometimes it’s confusing when I took a glance at today’s horoscope. Should I read Virgo or Libra? Hmm, should I read between Leo and Virgo since my birthday isn’t that far from Leo. One thing for sure I was born in a horse year based on Chinese calendar. In this entry I try to figure out between the east and the west… the female and the horse. I collected the data from many source, hope it can give a clear view on my character.

THE WEST - VIRGO (THE FEMALE)
Virgos are famous with perfectionist, conservative, practical, diligent, intelligent, analytical, fussy, worrier, overcritical, and harsh character. Virgos define pure modesty; they can't bear to be taken care of, they prefer to take care of others. They have keen, good intellects, are very discriminating about those with whom they associate, and in all business matters they have good judgment, and are not easily imposed upon or deceived.

Virgos can become good literary critics, being quick to see the weak points. They are inclined to become wrapped up in themselves and their own ideas, and often become selfish in the close pursuit of their aims.

Love for Virgo is devotion and will include love of family, friends, and those less fortunate than them. There is no pretense involved in how they act or what they say. Marriage is a major commitment; they value their union as both a love relationship and a working partnership. A warm relationship brings out the best in Virgos because basically they are kind, devoted and very loyal.

Virgos consequently become quite critical with themselves as well as with circumstances, due to the effect of such disappointments on a sensitive and discriminating nature. Disappointment can harden them into a cynic and a skeptic. Some Virgos really don’t like to be the center of attention. They become quite embarrassed if singled out in the crowd. They'd prefer to remain anonymous. They are the quiet achiever who likes to remain in the background concentrating on getting things done right without too much talk.

THE EAST - THE HORSE
The horse is famous with self-reliant, joyful, outgoing, sophisticated, greedy, resilient, and arrogant characteristic. The horse symbolizes a strength, energy and outgoing nature. They are extemporaneous and quick-witted. They are quite intelligent and use their practicality to their advantage in their business and personal lives. Their sharpness makes them quick to pick up new skills and is able to handle many tasks at one time.

Since I was born in 1978, so it makes me an Earth Horse. Earth Horse is able to see situations from all angles and corners. They are relatively easygoing, preferring to determine each pro and con before making a final decision. Earth Horse works hard to accomplish goals they have set and would rather take longer to do an outstanding job than to work shorter and shave a little quality. They have great senses of humor and are extremely adaptable in most instances. Horse doesn’t like people, who ignore them. They don’t like being stuck in a situation, or envious people, or feeling dependent.

Horse is honest, friendly and open-minded. They’re perhaps a bit too centered on themselves and have been known to throw tantrums when situations don’t go their way. In relationship, Horse, being spontaneous, has a tendency to fall fast and hard for others. They tend to give themselves fully in each new relationship a quality that ends up chipping away at their inner being. For horse, RAT is their mortal enemy.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST
Hmm, quite confuse to make conclusion for this entry. When east meets west means Virgo meets Horse. Let’s combine these two symbols and find out my true character. Well, I have to admit that I have most of a Virgo’s character. I am perfectionist, conservative, analytical, worrier, fussy, overcritical, harsh, loyal, kind, devoted, difficult in making friends, very discriminating, and don’t like to be the center of attention.

While from the horse’s character I find much in common too. I am honest, friendly, open-minded, analytical, sophisticated, like to work hard, easily angry when situation don’t go my way and self-centered. I don’t like to be ignored, hate to be dependent, and stuck in a situation. On the contrary to the horse, I don’t have a sense of humor at all, not easy going, have difficulty to adapt, and very dependent to other. According to the horse symbol, Rat is the mortal enemy. This is funny, since my closest friend is someone with a Rat symbol in Chinese calendar. I am challenged to be couple with someone with Rat symbol (LOL).

This is it… trying to capture the true character of me. What do you think?

Missing You

Sad... and empty...
Tired... and lonely...
In timeless memory

Wandering through time
Walking thru our paths
Trying to find you

In every place and every step
I can see your face everywhere
I miss you so much...

Want to forget you
Just to let you go
Although it's hard and painful...

But for a moment...
Let me be with you
Let my heart beat only for you...

(Dedicated to someone. I miss you, I love you)

Second Month Result

Last week I got my period, last only 3 days. The bleeding was lesser than before. The menstrual pain gradually reduced. But I still felt the pain that I use to have after the menstrual period. The ache from my right tummy spread trough my back and leg. This time is as painful as before I begin the treatment. Sometimes it's hard to get up after sitting for a long time and felt awkward to walk afterward.

Have to admit that I skipped one pill. Completely, totally forget about it on Sunday. The alarm in my phone already remind me of it but I forget to bring the medicine since I switch my bag. Stupid!!! I remember bout it at midnight before I slept and it's already too late to consume it according to the leaflet yet still took it. I continued to consume until the last pill.

I will continue this treatment. Wishing that one day it will make all the pain disappear. No matter how much I hate to take it...

Christmas' Wishes

December! One of my favorite month of the year. I love the Christmas' ornament at the malls, the theme colors of Christmas - red and green... perfect combination, the Santa Claus, all the music... Don't you love Christmas? I do.

Santa Claus, the big guy with red suits and long white beard, is very identical to Christmas' wishes. When I was a little girl, I sat on his lap and asked him many presents. Now as an adult, I still have Christmas' wishes and today I will write my Christmas' wishes. Hope the Santa Claus will hear my wishes ^o^.

First wish is to bring the lost sheep home. This is a hard! I've given my best effort... They have been lost for quite a long time, I wish to be able to open their eyes and make them see the right path. Come home with me... walk on the right path... No matter what may happen, I love you.

Second wish is a glasses. I have 2 glasses. The first one looks very funny on me. Well, my dad choose it for me... actually I didn't like it but since he paid for it, I have to take his choice or else (~laughing out loud~). I hardly wear it. My second glasses was my own choice, I bought it with my own money. I love it very much but still rarely wear it... too heavy (~laughing~). Several months ago a friend ask me where I bought and how much it cost. I told her the place and then I thought she needed this glasses more than me, so I decided to give it to her. Now, I need a new glasses since the big meeting is coming soon. Last Sunday I saw a friend with "Levi's" eyeglasses... and I fall in love with it. This is my second wish for Christmas.

Third wish is a watch. I don't have any watch right now. My old and favorite watch was broken, tried to repair it several time. It's running again but the chain is too small (even with extra chain) and I easily drop it. There is another watch from my dad, but the genuine skin color leather chain is broken. Since it is an expensive watch I couldn't change it with regular leather chain. The original leather chain is too expensive for my pocket (~laughing~). So, I need a new watch and I like to have a "Fossil" Watch... This is my last Christmas wish.

Now, who want to be my Santa Claus? Hmm...