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Spring Break Reading

Slumdog Millionaire
(originally published as Q&A)

I read Slumdog Millionaire over Spring Break during the endless train rides from place to place. It was different from the movie in many ways, but then again, it always is. I liked it more than the movie so I'm kind of glad that I read it after I watched it, because I probably would've hated the movie for being so different from the book. But now I get to like both. It was fast paced and at the same time, it told the story perfectly. The chapters go in order of the questions so it's not chronologically in order. The ending is the best, of course, because all the holes between each story is filled and everything is revealed. I would highly recommend this book!!

Next book:
Good in Bed

It was another easy-read chick lit. The main character, Cannie, actually kind of pissed me off sometimes, especially towards the end. She just complains, keeps to herself, and is all depressed, kind of like Bella in New Moon. The main character has these insecurities with herself, her body image and being loved, which are all caused by her bad relationship with her father. But she was just so stubborn. I guess I just didn't understand her because that is something I've never been through. Of course, in the end, she finds someone and happy ending, but I also didn't like the way it all unfolds. I feel like her relationship with her father is still unresolved, which is what everything comes down to, or something just doesn't seem resolved by the end of the book.

I need a new laptop...

I fear the blue screen. So I did some online laptop window shopping and I can't decide between the Apple Macbook and the Sony Vaio FW Series. I'm sure your response is Macbook, duh!! And at first, my mind was so set on it too, but after I did some research on some other brands (I shouldn't have gone looking elsewhere in the first place), I found the Sony Vaio FW Series, which looks pretty sick too. I'm being a bit wishful looking at laptops when I don't even know for sure where I'm working this summer and especially when I'm so in debt to my parents after studying abroad this semester, but... I desperately need a new laptop. This shit is driving me crazy. It's either a new laptop or a new battery for this crap, financially, a new battery is the wiser choice... but I want a new laptop.

Apple Macbook:

2.0GHz

• Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2GB DDR3 Memory
• 160GB hard drive¹
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
• Standard keyboard
• Aluminum unibody

• Ships: Within 24hrs
• Free Shipping
• $1,299.00

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTE3MzM

Sony Vaio FW Series:
Performance

• 2.00Ghz (T6400) - 2.93Ghz (T9800) Intel^® Core^™ 2 Duo Processor
• Available Intel^® Centrino^® 2 processor technology
• 1066Mhz-800MHz Front Side Bus Speed
• Up to 6MB L2 Cache

Memory and Storage

• Up to 500GB HDD available or up to 128GB SSD available
• Up to 8GB DDR2 SDRAM

Power

• Estimated Battery Life: Up to 5.5 hours (standard capacity battery)
• Up to 8 hours (large capacity battery)
• Power Requirements: 150W + 10%

Weight & Measurements

• 6.47 lbs. -7.0 lbs (with standard battery)
• 15.1"(W) x 1.14 - 1.46"(H) x 10.3"(D)

Starting at $839.99

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644570896&parentCategoryId=16154

The Sony Vaio is heavier... but has a larger screen. It also plays Blu-ray Discs, not that I own any of those anyways. It's more of an entertainment laptop, not that it really matters. Even if I bought it at the starting price, all the specs would be the same as the macbook and I would be saving $459.01 (without tax) or I could pay a little more and upgrade some things like memory and whatnot. Both companies offer student discounts. But with the Apple, I'm not as likely or even not at all gonna get any viruses and I know that even though I'm paying almost $500 more for the Macbook that I'm gonna get my money's worth and it'll be a better investment in the long run. First, I gotta make some money to afford a laptop.

I'm ready...

I'm ready to come home, not that I'm not enjoying it here, I just miss my family and friends too much now. I've been staring at the same faces for the past almost 3 months, not that I'm sick of them or anything. I miss home and I'm excited for this summer.

I can't wait to work 2 jobs this summer because my bank account and credit score is looking quite depressing right now.
I can't wait to spend many Saturdays at the shore. mmm... Italian sausage and peppers!!
I can't wait to spend some lazy afternoons reading in the sun without feeling guilty that I could be doing some form of schoolwork.
I can't wait to run and join the gym (I've sadly gained an obscene amount of weight here).
I can't wait to replace my crappy, battery-less laptop with a nice, new mac, hopefully.
I can't wait to take this laptop to a field and beat the shit out of it with a bat with Michelle Office Space style with the music and all.
I can't wait to visit Michelle in Miami and go to DisneyWorld!!... where dreams come true...
I can't wait to shower without flip flops on.
I can't wait to go to Max Brenner's with Laura and Tiffanie.
I can't wait to bum around and have napping parties with my friends.
I can't wait to have reunion dinners.
I can't wait to see/hug/hold/squeeze Lily. I miss my doggie :(
I can't wait to embrace my family at the airport.
I can't wait for summer 2009.

I'm crippled and blind...

I woke up one morning and my foot was hurting. Maybe I've been walking too much, but the sole of my left foot hurts and it's hard for me to walk on it.
And there are my allergies that are starting up again. I was hoping I wouldn't have them here in Paris... but I do. UGHH

Lovely Bones into a movie?!

It says here on imdb.com (which I've been spending an awfully lot of time at lately), that Lovely Bones should be released on December 11, 2009. I read that book a LONG time ago, but all I remember was that I didn't like it. Hopefully the movie's better. Maybe I'll try reading it again.

This is one of the synopsis from imdb.com...
Based on the best selling book by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones is the story of a 14-year-old girl from suburban Pennsylvania who is murdered by her neighbor. She tells the story from Heaven, showing the lives of the people around her and how they have changed all while attempting to get someone to find her lost body.

... that still doesn't interest me, especially the part where she tells the story from Heaven... ehh

But I do wanna try reading Lucky, her other book.

The Time Traveler's Wife

... is going to be released on August 14, 2009 according to IMDB!! Who's excited?! I'M EXCITED!!

Please please please don't ruin one of my favorite books.

Chasing Harry Winston

(Love the British cover much more than the furry shoe on the American version... yuck. It creeps me out a little actually.)

After reading The Devil Wears Prada, I was a bit discouraged to read Lauren Weisberger's other books. Even though I thought it was a good book in the end, it was a bit of a struggle getting through the slow, repetitive middle. But before I got on the train to Amsterdam, in a hurry and out of impulse, I bought Chasing Harry Winston (choosing it over Slumdog Millionaire, which I didn't even know was a book actually). I was in the mood for an easy read, a funny chick lit, rather than something more serious as Slumdog Millionaire. And that's exactly what I got.

It was a very easy read and a lot faster than The Devil Wears Prada. It was nothing amazing and not much different from your usual mindless, guilty pleasure chick lit. But I enjoyed it. I would say that I like it more than The Devil Wears Prada. There were some good surprises, but nothing too jaw-dropping yet I could not put down the book. I wanted to go back to my room to read rather than explore Amsterdam... and do other stuff.

I don't want to give anything away so I would describe the book as being very "Sex and the City." There is a reference to the book Something Borrowed, which I LOVED, because I LOVE that book hehe. It was a feel good book, and in the end, I couldn't stop smiling from the friendship of the 3 main characters. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it was too fast (ugh this one was too fast and The Devil Wears Prada was too slow... I'll never win) or maybe it was even too short. I feel like there wasn't much substance or that BIG turning point. It was just basically a year long story of these 3 best friends and the changes they each undergo, and she doesn't go much in depth when I want more. But overall, it has left a good enough impression on me that I'm searching to find her other book, Everyone Worth Knowing, here in Paris. I might have to desperately resort to ordering it from amazon.fr. And plus, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the UK cover for that book even more!

This makes book numero 3 out of 15 that I've made as a goal this year. I'm not sure how many books a year I usually read so I just decided on 15, as like a starter.