The Alchemist: Take 2

January 29, 2008

I am now reading again Paolo Coelho's The Alchemist. I did not understand the book quite well the 1st time I got a taste of it a few years back. I remember I had read it around April or May of 2005 before I went to Taiwan for my 1st living-abroad experience.

I also remember liking Coelho's writing style. There is a sense of adventure that gave me the momentary laps of wonderment and imagination, as well as enough touch of quotes about life that left me grounded.

After taking FLEX, ALC, LEAP, staffing thrice for FLEX and twice for ALC, and chiefing a FLEX, I am again taking another leap of faith as to what this book now has to teach me.

The words now about universal conspiracy to one's declarations of heart do not sound as alien as before. Previous images of cult practises now provide images of a graceful spiritual flight. Through the life of a young shepherd, I was allowed access to reflect on my own life.

My father used to mock me about keeping books for the purpose of rereading them in the future. I look back and see he is wrong.

Question Marks in the Air

These past few days I've been feeling simultaneously restless and sluggish with my work. I don't know if it's because I've started working full time or because I don't find enough excitement to going to office. The only reason I look forward to each day is because... heheh that's for another blog entry...

I've been thinking how this work is not cut out for me, and vice versa. A few days ago, I rediscovered where I had placed my Alchemist book, and I decided to reread it again. I do feel that books like that are meant to be read and reread and reread...

"Visitors"

Suddenly the guard here in Ateneo Professional Schools decided to recommend our Confucius Institute office as an unofficial library to graduate students who are going to have their midterm exams.

I did allow them to use the facility; however, I am really feeling uneasy about this whole arrangement. Processing myself, I realized that I felt I was taken advantage of. At first a couple students felt comfy then another came, then another, then another. Before I knew it, I am a librarian to half a dozen crammers. >:/

Later I plan to talk to the guard or whoever's in charge... Hay, "I" message...

I Am Legend not so legendary

Recently I got the chance to experience the cold ambiance of the movie houses again. Choices were the MMFF candidates plus a couple of foreign movies.

I remember when I 1st watched a movie. I was with my mom. She used to tell me when she was young, her eldest sister and she will go to Avenida to catch some Susan Roces flicks back I think when movies were still in faded colors or in black and white. I really like it when Mama goes nostalgic and tells me some stories of her younger years.

My friend and I chose to spend quality time with Will Smith's I Am Legend. And I perfectly agree with Julianna Palermo's write-up on that movie. The director/producer could've done better with the ending. Honestly, not the best movie I have ever seen. Sure the effects were not bad; however, I wouldn't recommend it to friends. Good thing I have someone special with me, so my night was still well-spent. ;P