When do four seasons begin?

Looks like autumn is already here. Rainshowers have already started with temperature that plummeted from 29 C to 10C. Though I like the romantic effect of the yellow -orange color hues of autumn foliage, but my favorite is still summer no matter how scorching hot it may turn out to be. Probably because of my Asian background, coming from a tropical country, I got used to coconut trees, white sand and temperatures rising up to 33 C all through out the year.
During weekends like this one, gloomy weather, rainshowers and cold winds are not helping me as I start writing the first shitty draft of my book. Well, at least this gives me more reason to stay at home and pound my computer keyboard and update this blogsite.

Stay tune for more!

Colorful

People Who Write...

Here's a message from one of my favorite writer, Marisa Delos Santos who recently wrote "Love Walked In" a book included in New York's Best Seller list.

Hi, Joy--
Thank you for your email. As a person who came to novel-writing relatively recently despite having been a writer for my entire adult life, I can tell you that NO ONE can write a novel until they have a story to tell. Sometimes that happens at twenty-five, sometimes at sixty-five, and whenever it happens, it's at exactly the right time!
Keep the faith!
Yours,
Marisa

What's the Big Deal about the Weekend?

Every now and then eversince I lived in Europe, I have always looked forward to the weekend to recharged my tired physical batteries and to rejuvenate my battered soul from tons of pressures from work. Yes, I am not saying that I hate work. Got to have some bucks to pay my bills with.

However, during weekends, I make it a point to do something different other than staring on my computer the whole time and waiting for friends to send me some short hello -how are you messages in yahoo messenger.

This weekend, my husband and I went to a lake ....strolled, sunbathed, swam and had coffee in one of the outdoor coffeebar across the lake while engaging in people watching. Thank God for small mercies!

Then upon reaching home, I craved for food and ate voraciously like tomorrow will never come ( hopefully not for me) checked my emails- old habits never die,huh and a refreshing quick shower then dashed off to get my forty winks. The highlight of my weekend? lying down on my soft sweet smelling pillow brought comfort to my overused and abused body during week. Next day, I was as good as new.

Did I tell you that I turned off my cellphone too? Well, as for me, that's the big deal about the weekend.

So tell me how was yours?

Freedom at Last!

Oh freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, yeah freedom Freedom (freedom), freedom (freedom), freedom, ooh freedom . It's not Aretha singing ...but it's me this time.

Don't ask why I am singing this. I've got all the reasons why I opted to knock you all out with my song. The hard part is over. Work is done for the whole year. God knows how much I broke my back teaching young kids every single day. Preparing lesson plans, printing worksheets for my tutorials, managing ( actually co-managing the school) and recently researching for the seminar that I recently conducted for teachers were what I struggled to do until this mid June. I felt that I slowly and gave all my physical strength and mental power to rock climb to reach the summit.

Burn out? overstressed? sounds like an understatement to me at this point. But hey, it's over.

I don't want to imagine what is instore for me this coming school year as a teacher. All I look forward to is to spend time lying down on a beach worshipping the sun..feeling the sea breeze clasping "Chasing Harry Winston" book thinking about nothing related to work.

Thank God, now I definitely know the real meaning of freedom.

Wishes May Come True

Just a few weeks ago, I was muttering to myself that I wanted to diversify my career.

No more teaching ...no more school stuff and hoping against hope that I could find

an equally challenging task to do that would enhance my other skills like writing.

Then just for kicks, I submitted a book proposal an outline in one of the publishers that liked the idea of the book. Lo and behold, he asked for a personal meeting straight away.

During the meeting, I was asked to submit a draft of the manuscript which he has no idea that I haven't started yet. And a particular assignment to boot ( that I am not at liberty to write here on my blog) that would require so much of my "serious time" to work on as part of the book promotion. Now, with all the work in my lap right now. You could just imagine if I am smiling at this point as I type this. This would mean that no more lazy surfing and messaging on yahoo. Thank God that American Idol 7 is over. Otherwise, I would be doomed not to even take a peek on the Davids on you tube.

Lesson learned folks, be careful with what you're wishing for, one day your wishes will surely come true.

Hope you have a great weekend. With what's in store for me? hope I would have a great one too.

NOT LIKE THE OTHERS

This is not my typical posting on this blogsite. I usually write feature articles eversince I started blogging. But due to my feature article contributions to American Chronicle ( online publication), I decided to make a slight variety to what I usually give to my loyal or only readers ( meaning my sister, husband and a friend.) Therefore, if you wish to read more about my yackety-yak-yak about some global issues or anything under the sun click on this site:

http://www.americanchronicle.com/viewByAuthor?authorID=1489

Thank you folks and I hope that this week will give us more sunshine and less rain....more spring freshness and less humidity but most of all, more smiles and lightness.

Have a great week!