I was fortunate enough to have read something other than my law books this summer. Since I particularly enjoy reading non-fiction of the biographical/memoir type, it was easy for me to pick Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestseller, Eat, Pray, Love and get into all the hype surrounding it and even its movie counterpart starring Julia Roberts. I also felt like it could be a fitting summer read. Amazingly, it turned out to be so much more than leisure reading. I could rave about it and go into the more beautiful details but I really don’t know where to begin. Ultimately, the book fueled my desire to travel, reflect and indulge on more life-talks. Now if only I had the luxury of time…

There are a lot of quote-worthy lines and insights from the author, but it’s so much better if you guys just buy the book and find yourself in it. However in the spirit of sharing, I would like to share this short excerpt that I found particularly special (there are A LOT in the book, honestly).

In one chapter, the author, Elizabeth Gilbert is at an ashram in India. She is instructed to go to the roof of the ashram, watch the stars come out, and to come back down again when she can let go of her marriage.

Instructions For Freedom

• Life’s metaphors are God’s instructions.
• You have just climbed up and and above the roof. There is nothing between you and the Infinite. Now, let go.
• The day is ending. It’s time for something that was beautiful to turn into something else that is beautiful. Now, let go.
• Your wish for resolution was a prayer. Your being here is God’s response. Let go, watch the stars come out — on the outside and on the inside.
• With all your heart, ask for grace, and let go.
• With all your heart, forgive him, FORGIVE YOURSELF, and let him go.
• Let your intention be freedom from useless suffering. Then, let go.
• ...

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I am reeling. Reeling from one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen.

I’m not really hard to please when it comes to movies, because I usually try to find something positive about it. But this time, I’m just going to rave incessantly about how much I enjoyed my pre-Valentine’s Day movie. (Actually, I just said that for the sole reason that I just watched it now, a day before Valentine’s Day. And no, it’s not some sort of date, as I happily watched it alone before I finally start with my Philo102 long test.)

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Peter Petrelli owns me.

Fear not. This is a spoiler-free reaction. Don’t be surprised if I’m going to be at my utmost fandom point, because I just finished watching the best episode of Heroes an hour ago.

I wish I could post my theories, my rants and raves, but I know some of you guys might not want that at all. How does Tim Kring do it??? The storyline is nothing short of brilliant. The twists are aptly put. The way the characters are developed are amazing. It’s freakin exciting! It doesn’t end up becoming some mindless action, X-Men rip-off of a show. It isn’t hard to sympathize with the characters and follow through their adventures. It’s just too good. And it will be very painful for all this to end so soon.

3 Episodes Left – The Hard Part

To those who follow the show religiously, comment and tell me I’m not alone. Haha.

CREDITS: Photos are c/o NBC.

Once I caught a glimpse of the trailer for the Spanish film, Pan’s Labyrinth, I was beyond enthralled. And yesterday, I finally had the chance to watch it and was just floored by how brilliant it was. I haven’t been affected by a movie this much for so long. Beeing the big movie-buff that I am, I enjoy watching all kinds of movies even if it means subtitles. At the end of it all, no matter how supposedly bad a movie could be, I will eventually find something to my liking. But this is hardly the case.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

A gothic fairy tale set against the postwar repression of Franco’s Spain, Pan’s Labyrinth unfolds through the eyes of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a dreamy little girl who is uprooted to a rural military outpost commanded by her new stepfather. Powerless and lonely in a place of unfathomable cruelty, Ofelia lives out her own dark fable as she confronts monsters both otherworldly and human. (www.tribute.ca)

It’s a fantasy movie like no other. Crafted beautifully, it is even incomparable to Narnia or to possibly any hollywood fantasy flick. (I’m not even touching Harry Potter.) It stands on its own, I guess. You will literally be captivated by the cinematography and storytelling. It’s not some wishy-washy kid’s dream fairytale. It’s gothic and even morbid to an extent. You might even cringe a couple of times with how brutal it all can get. But it works and blends with the very essence of the movie, and won’t distract you from its overall tone.

The movie doesn’t only touch on the realm of the magical and fantasy, but it also weaves in so many historical real-life ordeals that the young heroine (who I so love) experiences. It’s set during the 1944 Fascist Spain (oh polsci…) and gives us a glimpse of the brutal war and undeniable cruelty during those times. There were so many underlying themes...

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