Rainy afternoon everyone! I've been at home for the last two days just enjoying the short break before coming back to the busy world of school. Yes, I'd be more busy next semester because I'd finally enroll the dreaded Thesis. Anyway, I wouldn't think about it for now because I'll have all the time next month to think about how my group would survive it. :)

Even before the semestral break started, I was already thinking about what to do on this little vacation from school. I said to myself, 'finally I can rest and sleep early!' Well, that's not the case because I still sleep late (due to more hours to spend on the computer/internet. hehe). I'm not being productive and I don't like it. So let me list down the things I must do before the second semester starts.

1. TV Series Marathon


While watching these tv shows would still let me spend time in the computer, at least I get to catch up on previous episodes. I just finished Season 3 of The Vampire Diaries last night. It's good! I'm looking forward to watch Season 4. Boyfriend and I have already watched the pilot episode of The Walking Dead Season 3. So far, such a good start! I understand Gossip Girl will have its final season this fall. It made me sad actually. I've watched it from the very beginning and now it's gonna end. Hopefully Blair would end up with Chuck <3

2. Make New Friendship Bracelets

I posted some of the friendship bracelets I made last summer. I did enjoy making those especially for my friends. I already have the list of patterns I'd like to make. I just have to buy more threads and buttons for the bracelets. I'm thinking of being more creative and adding some beads or chains. I'll post pictures of the bracelets when I finish! :) Also I found the kumihimo disk my friends and I bought way back in high school. I'm also excited to use it to make a different kind of bracelet. Here's a photo of the recent ones I made:


3. Read More Books!

I have like, a bunch of books on my shelf left unread. Also in my online shelf (goodreads), I've added hundreds of book on my to-read pile. I'm currently reading an ebook version of J. K. Rowling's new book - The Casual Vacancy. I find it good but very hard to read if you're not really into it. I want to finish it before I start with another. If you're not aware, I am such a bookworm. I will always love books and reading. It's kinda sad though because I hardly post any more reviews on my book blog. I hate not having enough time to do the things that I love like writing book reviews. I'm kinda hoping I can update that as well this sembreak. Next in my to read list is a book I bought from the NBS sale this year. Just covered it with adhesive plastic for protection. I care about my books you know! They are treasures.


4. Update, Clean, Organize and Rest

I want to use my free time this week as opportunity to update my blogs, clean some clutter in the house, and organize things needed for the next semester. When school works kept on coming and adding up to my priorities, I couldn't figure out what to do next. I think I have to manage my priorities this time besides school. I need to get a life where schoolworks and projects are least of my priorities. Although I need more motivation for our thesis project, it's also important to take some rest, reflect on what we have already done and find some time to do the things that will make you happy. ☺

For now, those our the things I have in mind that I need to accomplish. I don't know if that will make me productive or not. hehe I just want to have some time to relax so I can get enough energy and motivation for the next semester. How about you? Any plans for this sembreak?

(p.s. While I type this, I'm already thinking what to do on Christmas break. lol :D)

Thanks to Nuffnang and Mandaue Foam, D and I was able to watch for free the much-awaited fourth installment of the Bourne series - The Bourne Legacy. I was supposed to watch it with my best friend but the screening was moved so she couldn't make it. :( But let me tell you, the movie is more like a side story or a full spin-off with a new character called Aaron Cross. No Matt Damon on the movie besides some photos of him and references to the previous movies.

I think I've watched the previous movies before, but I can't really remember what had happened. All I know is that Matt Damon starred the previous films, he has this kind of amnesia and the movies are spy-thriller action movies. So The Bourne Legacy is all new to me. Of course I was so excited to see the film because most of the action-packed scenes were shot here in Manila. I guess everyone is as excited as me to see the streets of Manila on the big screen.

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films.

For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles. (from their official website)

First of all, I don't want to be such a spoiler. haha I don't really make movie reviews but sometimes I just have to post what I thought about the movie. As I've mentioned, I was quite excited to see the film especially  that first time when I learned that the film was shot here in our dearest country. This is new. Although I'm guessing a lot of Hollywood films have also been shot here, it's special because it was really mentioned and acknowledged in the film that the protagonists are going to "Manila". And when Rachel Weisz said "In Manila" for the first time, people inside the movie house buzzed and I felt the excitement as we wait them to land in Manila.

Photo from Hypable

I see mixed reviews about the movie. That it lacks the brilliance of the previous movies in the series is one of them. I'll be biased here because Jeremy Renner is the star of the film! haha Besides the sexy body and that action star face, he did quite well here. I admit at first I was so confused. I couldn't understand what this program Treadstone is all about and the significance of the previous stories to what's happening now. Eventually I was able to catch up and understand what's going on.

Renner plays Aaron Cross, one of the agents within the program where they take blue and green pills to enhance their physical and mental abilities. Rachel Weisz plays the role of Dr. Marta Shearing, one of the scientists that supervises check ups for the agents. Then comes Eric Byer played by Edward Norton who decided to terminate the agents of the program including the scientists. Fortunately, Cross and Shearing survived the assassination then they later fled to Manila to viral off Cross from the meds.

So there they went to Manila and got chased by everyone! haha That was actually a long chase sequence. We see the crowded streets of Manila, the jeepneys, the heavy traffic and all. But then the pride is there. We saw the familiar faces of our great Indie actors in the movie. The actors did a great job. I really admire Rachel Weisz' acting here. Also Jeremy Renner! I was obsessing over him last night and watched behind the scene videos until I felt sleepy. haha : )

The last part which was shot in Palawan is beautiful. But then the ending... how come I felt so bitin and the movie just stopped and the credits start to appear on the screen? Well, let's see for the sequel. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and seeing Manila and Palawan in the big screen! And of course Jeremy Renner. : )

Here's the official trailer of Breaking Dawn Part 2! Who's excited to watch? Besides Twilight, Breaking Dawn is one of my favorite book in the series. I think the most anticipated part would be the battle with the Volturi. Hopefully the movie will be good. Gotta reread the book for the finale! Of course the bf and I will watch in November, right baby? ☺

Wow! So, I just watched the official trailer of The Perks of Being a Wallflower movie and I must say, I'm excited to watch the film! The movie is an adaptation of the book with the same title by Stephen Chbosky. I just learned that he also directed and wrote the screenplay. Amazing! Well, I haven't read the book yet so gotta read it soon. Here's the official trailer:


Oh how I love Emma's American accent. Just watching the trailer, you'd know that Emma did a great job here as an actress. I see her here as Emma herself and not Hermione. : ) The release date would be on September. I still have time to read the book!

Love the catchphrase! ~ WE ARE INFINITE

These days of the end of summer vacation, I'm just at home and no plans (or budget) to go out. Good thing I was able to win free tickets for the screening of Snow White and The Huntsman. Thanks to Nuffnang and Skin White! So it was a movie date with the boyfriend! :)

The free screening was held at Shangri-La Mall and I really wanted to go there not only to watch the movie but also to try the Bonchon Chicken. When we arrived, we went immediately to the resto. There were a lot of people because it was already dinner time but fortunately we're able to get seats.

Wings Ricebox (Soy Garlic Chicken Wings)

Fish and Chips Box

I was actually craving for buffalo wings. I searched the web to look for a restaurant where we can try buffalo wings when I came across Bonchon Chicken. I learned that they have a branch at Shangri-La Mall and that made me really excited to try it. We ordered the Boxed Meals. I ordered the Wings Ricebox and my boyfriend ordered the Fish and Chips Box. The two cost P145 each with drinks! Well most of the Boxed Meals are priced below P150. I think it's worth the money!

Bonchon Chicken is one of those popular restaurants that offer "twice-fried" chicken. The "double frying technique" as they call it is used to create the crispy chicken skin in the first fry and then it would be fried again but this time with the tasty sauce. Bonchon is the original double-fried chicken from Korea and tagged as the Best Chicken in America.

My verdict: Awesome goodness! The chicken was so addicting. I liked the sweet and flavorful taste of the soy garlic that will make you want more. My order was served with rice but I wanted to ignore the rice and just savor the sweetness of the chicken wings. The chicken wings were fried golden brown and the skin is really crispy. You'll hear the cracking sound when you bite! The meat is lean, not too juicy but not dry at all. I don't know if there's breading or not but there's no hint of it. Great!

The bf gave me one of his fish strips so I was able to taste it. The fish fillet is dory, also coated with the same one as my soy garlic chicken wings. It also tastes good! It came with the delicious fries that are definitely great for snacks.

Unfortunately we're not able to take photos of the interior because of the dinner crowd. After we ate, we went immediately to the cinema to get our tickets. I thought we're early but there were already a lot of bloggers who got their tickets and chose their seats. We ended up seating at the right far end from the screen.

My review of the movie here.

What honey?

Picture taking while waiting! ☺

He's funny like that. Always in the background! haha

That face! XD The bf did something that distracted me from my own solo picture taking.

Then it's time to watch! The theater was full of bloggers! :)

The bf and I watched Snow White and The Huntsman courtesy of Nuffnang and Skin White (like their facebook fanpage here!) at Shangri-La Mall. I was also looking forward to go to Shangri-La because I wanted to try Bonchon Chicken. My next post will be about it!

Kristen Stewart (the Twilight Saga, On the road) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil Queen Ravenna (Oscar winner Charlize Theron of Prometheus, Hancock) who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined was that the young woman who has escaped her clutches and now threatens her reign has been training in the art of war with a Huntsman named Eric (Chris Hemsworth of Thor, The Avengers) who was dispatched to capture her. (from their website)

Seriously? I didn't see any training! But then, The movie is not bad at all. The special effects are good. Charlize Theron is really such an evil queen! She did a great job portraying Queen Ravenna. Of course Thor, I mean Chris Hemsworth is also good. The main reason I wanted to watch the movie is because of him. ☺ Kristen Stewart, well, not bad as well. It's just awkward to see her as Snow White. I think she was chosen because of her fierce look which is needed for the Snow White version of this movie.

Queen Ravenna

The Huntsman

Prince Charming

The movie is a retelling of the fairy tale so definitely the familiar plot is present (prince charming, dwarfs, enchanted forest, apple). The difference is that this version is darker and a braver approach on the traditional fairy tale. Action packed scenes and a fighting Snow White will be seen.

No training!

Warrior Snow White

Mirror, Mirror on the wall (I like how she said it with the accent!)

Over all, I enjoyed it. The dwarfs are funny. The Evil Queen is evil. Snow White lived happily ever after. I guess! :) It's a 7 out of 10 for me and the bf. ☺

My Girlfriend is a Gumiho

I just finished this adorable Korean drama last week. This is now included in my list of favorite kdramas. I just love this tv series! After I watched just a few minutes of the first episode, I got hooked! Well who wouldn't be enticed with these two charming Korean artists. They really played the role well!

Shin Min Ah and Lee Seung Gi

The story revolves around Mi Ho (Shin Min Ah), the legendary gumiho cursed because of her enchanting beauty, who wants to become a human. Then comes Dae Woong (Lee Seung Gi), a spoiled brat student who wants to become a popular action star someday, and accidentally releases Mi Ho from the photograph where she is cursed for 500 hundred years. During their encounter, Dae Woong falls in the forest that threatened his life until Mi Ho rescued him by giving him her fox bead. For 100 days, Dae Woong has to endure being with Mi Ho so that he can eventually heal and she to become a human. Trouble arises when Mi Ho and Dae Woong begins to fall in love. Little do they know that while one lives the other has to disappear.


I'm just really surprised how good this drama was! It's not the typical love story we usually watch on tv. It's a total package. There's drama, action, comedy, and a little fantasy. The actors are impressive especially Shin Min Ah. She did an outstanding job of playing the meat lover gumiho. She can be cute and bubbly but she can also be terrifying when her gumiho side overpowers her. I now have a girl crush on her! hehe

Lee Seung Gi and No Min Woo

I like Lee Seung Gi's role here. It seems to fit his personality and style. Like the boy-next-door type, a little immature and selfish, but later on became the responsible and loving boyfriend of Mi Ho and will sacrifice even his own life for love. I also like No Min Woo who played Teacher Dong Joo. I find him really attractive but he's so good looking that sometimes it seems like he isn't real. wut? haha

The humor, cuteness and the romance make this series worth watching! The last episode made me cry a lot. Especially when Dae Woong delivered this line "Even though I want to run far away, you stay on my mind and I keep coming back." Well, I can relate!

For those who like a romantic comedy series that will live up your expectations, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho would be a great choice. Nomu nomu nomu nomu chua!

Some screencaps I got here. Hoi! Hoi! Enjoy! : )

Dae Woong

Mi Ho

Cute!

The fox bead

Hoy! Hoy!

Memories

The first kiss!

And the last, I think

What do you think guys? Are you as excited like me? I'm no super fanatic but I watched the movies from the beginning and will definitely watch it til the series ends. This is only Part 1. Like Harry Potter, they divided the movie into two parts. It will be shown in theaters November 18.

Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul (Baifern)

Mario Maurer

What a beauty!

Such a cutie!

Nice

They won awards for First Love.

They make a cute couple right? : )