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What I’ve Learned From the 2010 World Cup

Manda — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:09:41 +0000

Seeing as today is the 2010 World Cup final (GO NETHERLANDS!), here is a hodge-podge of what I’ve learned about soccer/fútbol and the World Cup in general from the 2010 World Cup.

Soccer/fútbol players must moonlight as actors, because I’ve never seen such childish, petulant drama on a sports arena. (Granted, I don’t watch a lot of sports.)
Speaking of drama, the French national team… a theater troupe of actors if there ever was one!
Vuvuzelas annoy everyone except South Africans, apparently.
FIFA referee calls are controversial at best, downright awful at worst.

My Brazilian soccer/fútbol player name is… MANDERTO!

This pie chart sums up the rest of my lessons from the World Cup, courtesy of Cracked:

And now, all talk of soccer will go quiet on the U.S. front until the World Cup in 2014!

Books That Changed My World

Manda — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:12:32 +0000

Inspired by Krissy, I’ve decided to compile a list of books that have changed my world. I don’t read life-changing books at a regular rate by any means; my book of choice is usually one in the chick lit category. But that’s not to say that I haven’t come across a life-changing book or two (or that chick lits aren’t capable of falling in that category!).

“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
I can’t put into words just how monumental an impact this book hand on me. It’s wonderfully written, with some of the most vivid characters I’ve read. The premise is very unique (have you ever read a book narrated by Death?) and Zusak is a gifted storyteller.
“Atonement” by Ian McEwan
I’m a sucker for romantic novels and the love story in “Atonement” just blows the rest out of the park. A sweeping love story set at the dawn of World War II, it explores how one girl’s serious mistake has irreversible implications for the lives of those around her. The balance of all the characters and intertwining plotlines is remarkably well done; it’s just a really amazing book.
“Someone Like You” by Sarah Dessen
This is not the first Dessen book I read, but it will always remain my favorite. The strength of the bond between Halley and Scarlett has always been a benchmark for me when it comes to the strength of my own friendships. It’s such a pivotal story of growing up, becoming your own person and falling in love for the first time and all the trials and tribulations that come with it.
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A standard required reading for all juniors in high school in the US, this is the best required reading I was ever assigned. The characters are so distinctly unique and I love how they embody the characteristics of the roaring 20′s.
“The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman
I’ve read the entire “His Dark Materials” series and “The Golden Compass” is my favorite (with “The Subtle Knife” a very close second). I love how the story completely takes you into this world filled with daemons and there’s always a sense of the world being a much bigger and scarier place than we realize, with so much that is unknown. It’s another book that stays with you, which I think is the best quality a book can have.

This Is an S.O.S.

Manda — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:32:07 +0000

I have a confession to make.

For all my ranting and hatred of Disney Channel pop stars and how I rue the day they were ever introduced to society because manufactured pop nowadays just isn’t what it used to be (*NSYNC and Britney Spears back in the late 90′s, anyone?), I… um. I might actually like a song by the Jonas Brothers.

I know, I know. I can’t believe it either, and I feel icky with shame as I write this. But the chorus of the song “S.O.S.” is just so damn catchy that somehow it’s making me put aside my very low opinion of the band’s songwriting and musical talents. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but I blame the catchy chorus melody.

Damn. I might need to signal my own S.O.S. for liking this song…

(If even I admit that there’s a Jonas Brothers song that I like, is it any surprise my university incorporated Justin Bieber in their admissions marketing? Actually, don’t answer that.)

Ooh! This is an S.O.S.
Don’t want a second guess
This is the bottom line
It’s true!
I gave my all for you
Now my heart’s in two
And I can’t find the other half
It’s like I’m walking on broken glass
Better believe I bled
It’s a call I’ll never get ♪♫

Affirmation

Manda — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:49:31 +0000

My iTunes decided to surprise me by playing “Affirmation” by Savage Garden, a song and band that I love but haven’t listened to in ages. As the song played, it struck me just how right the song lyrics were. I don’t know what inspired the song, but if the band had been asked to write a song about the unwritten rules of life, the guys would have hit the nail on the head.

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe we place our happiness in other people’s hands
I believe that junk food tastes so good because it’s bad for you
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe I’m loved when I’m completely by myself alone

I believe in karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe you can’t appreciate real love ’til you’ve been burned
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side
I believe you don’t know what you’ve got until you say goodbye

I believe you can’t control or choose your sexuality
I believe that trust is more important than monogamy
I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul
I believe that family is worth more than money or gold
I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires

I believe forgiveness is the key to your own happiness
I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed
I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists
I believe in love surviving death into eternity

My two favorite lines are “I believe in karma what you give is what you get returned” and “I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul.” This song is just beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

When I get my own place in the fall, I’m going to put the lyrics of the chorus up on my wall where I can see it every day. I feel like these are good words to be reminded of on a daily basis.

Hockey, and Why I Don’t Like Following Sports

Manda — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:03:28 +0000

Ever since the semester has ended and I’ve moved back home, I’ve been watching hockey games. More specifically, I’ve been watching the game whenever my team, the Chicago Blackhawks, is playing. I watched them beat the Vancouver Canucks and I watched them sweep the San Jose Sharks (that one was particularly satisfying as one of my friends is a diehard Sharks fan). Now the Hawks are against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals and I’m suddenly being reminded of why I have steadfastly avoided following sports my entire life.

It’s stressful being a hockey fan! You are glued to the game, pulse racing with every move, afraid to breathe whenever either team is about to score, bellowing in frustration whenever the other team scores, cheering with joy whenever your team scores… the tension, anticipation, anxiety and unadulterated joy when it comes to sports is really unparalleled. More often than not I’ve found myself alternating between wanting to cover my eyes at the truly tense moments (usually whenever either team is about to score) and not being able to take my eyes off the game. (I realize that wanting to close my eyes is silly because those moments can be part of the best or worst moments of the game.)

Part of the reason why I’ve become interested in hockey recently is that it’s just a fun game to watch. I’ve tried watching numerous sports over the years and the only ones I’ve found interesting are AFL¹ and hockey. (My friends that are fanatics about American sports will be disappointed to hear that American football and baseball are among the sports that bore me to death.) I’ve been able to pick up a surprising amount about hockey in such a short amount of time, both in terms of how the game is played as well as background about the Hawks players. Also, it is not a bad time to start watching hockey when your team wins the Western Conference and has a 50/50 chance of winning the Stanley Cup. Just putting that out there.

But yes. Even though I don’t like following sports in general, and even though I’ve discovered it is very stressful towards my health to start becoming a hockey fan, and even though last night’s overtime against the Flyers in Game 3 almost killed me…

GO HAWKS!

I’m a West Coast Eagles fan and yes, I know they are doing horribly but I don’t care.

Asian Vampires

Manda — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:59:10 +0000

This week’s Glee gave me a new life (or perhaps I should say undead) goal:

Tina: So here’s what’s gonna happen… my dad, he’s the king of the vampires, and Asian vampires are the most vicious of all the vampires. You’re going to let me wear my lady demon clothes or my dad will fly into your bedroom, and bite your face off. He’s really pissed. Is that what you want?
Principal Figgins: No, I don’t want that I’m afraid.
Tina: Good. I’m glad we had this talk. Now I have to go back to my coffin because the light is burning my eyes!

That goal is to become a vampire, because Asian vampires are the most vicious of them all¹, and then have everyone PH34R ME! Excellent plan, yes?

(And before anyone asks, no, vampire!Manda will not sparkle. Please. If I’m going to become a vampire, I’m going to be a badass one, not some wishy-washy sissy type that sparkles like diamonds in the sunlight. Duh.)

I’m half Asian, for those who don’t know.

Wanted: Chick Lit Recommendations (Preferably of the British Variety)

Manda — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:28:38 +0000

Even though it’s practically June, I’ve finally decided to make good on one of my goals for 2010 and start reading more fiction. I attempted reading a YA novel to start off with, but I think I’m starting to grow out of the YA genre. There are some exceptions, of course; Sarah Dessen will always be by far and away my favorite author and there are some YA novels that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. Still, I’ve begun to turn my attention from YA authors to that of chick lit, specifically British chick lit¹.

I know the genre of chick lit is not always seen as a respectable one in the field of literature and more often than not it is described as brainless/mindless reading. I’ll agree that there might be some merit to the arguments against chick lit; chick lits aren’t going to be novels that are taught in high school English classes anytime soon. Still, it’s one of my favorite genres, if not my favorite. After a long and harrowing day at class/work, the last thing I’m going to want to read is a hefty, brainpower-intensive tome like War and Peace or Anna Karenina. Rather, I’m going to want to curl up on the couch with a relaxing read that I know I will enjoy.

There’s something about British (and Irish, too) chick lit, though, that places it a cut above chick lits from authors of other nationalities. I’m not quite sure why, but there’s something I find completely fascinating about tales of these women in their twenties and thirties, living in London (or Dublin, as in some of the books by Marian Keyes, a favorite of mine²) and juggling work commitments, friendship/family dramas and of course ongoing conflicts with various misters Right and Wrong. Maybe it’s the culturally dry humor that’s rampant throughout these novels, or my own personal fascination with glamorous-sounding city life of a twentysomething woman in London. Whatever it is, I am always on the lookout for a British (or Irish) author whose novels fall under the genre of chick lit.

My go-to chick lit authors are Keyes, Sophie Kinsella and Harriet Evans. These three have never, ever let me down, and I love them for it. It was Evans’ novel “Going Home” that broke my reading “drought” of over nearly a year, which was no small feat considering I’d stopped reading almost every book I had begun in an attempt to start reading again after about 30 pages.

Both Keyes and Kinsella have novels out that I have yet to read, which I am very excited about; they are definitely next on my to-read list. I’ve also got some of Evans’ novels to catch up on as I’ve fallen a little behind in keeping up with her newest books. But once I’ve read all of those, I’m at a loss at where to turn to next for a good British chick lit. So, anyone have any recommendations?

Some might say that this is slightly ironic as my work-in-progress novel is deeply rooted in YA. Still, they say write what you know, and I most definitely do know YA. As of right now, the same cannot be said for chick lit!
Keyes is Irish, not British. Dublin is not a British city but I still love Keyes’ work (some of her books are also set in London, or both London and Dublin).

Which Glee Character Are You?

Manda — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:48:25 +0000

I took the Which Glee Character Are You? quiz and this was my result:

I agree with the first sentence about being passionate, determined and positive (although maybe not so much with the positive as I am pretty cynical at times). And I do work tirelessly for what I believe in, which sometimes shifts my priorities (I’m a classic workaholic). But helping others unlock their true potential? Sure, I don’t mind helping others, but I imagine it’d be hard to help others unlock potential when I’m still trying to figure out mine!

My one criticism of this quiz is that I wish there were a wider variety of characters that could have been an answer. (I also think the descriptions of the characters are a little dated since the quiz was ostensibly written during the first 13 episodes of the season.) Out of all the characters on the show, I don’t think that I am that much like Will in comparison to, say, Quinn. I quickly skimmed through the quiz comments and judging by what people have said, only a handful of the characters from the show were possible answers. Still, the other Glee quizzes out there are pretty crappy; this was the best one I found!

Question of the Week: Which Glee character are you?

Sign Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Petition and Help Make a Difference

Manda — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:55:09 +0000

It’s no secret that I am a massive Jamie Oliver fan. I’ve been following the news regarding Jamie’s latest endeavor, Food Revolution, and the petition involved in the project. Therefore, I’ve decided that this blog is the best place for me to plug for an incredibly worth cause.

You don’t need to have watched Jamie Oliver’s show “Food Revolution” to realize that the state of cafeteria food in U.S. public schools is appalling. When French fries are considered a better source of vegetables over a veggie stir fry, you know there is a serious problem. Unfortunately, the combined factors of lack of funding, interest, and/or care regarding food served to children in U.S. public schools means that this problem has gone unaddressed for far too long. Jamie is hoping to create a food revolution in the U.S. to bring back healthy food in schools, but he needs all the help he can get to make the difference.

By signing the petition and supporting Jamie’s cause, you agree to the following:

I support the Food Revolution. America’s kids need better food at school and better health prospects. We need to keep cooking skills alive.

What are you waiting for? Sign the petition and help make a difference today!

The Obligatory Glee Post (No Spoilers)

Manda — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:17:03 +0000

My thoughts on tonight’s Glee premiere:

Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), I want to have your babies. When he sang The Doors’ “Hello, I Love You” I was almost beside myself. I AM SO GLAD FINN/CORY IS BACK ON MY TV SCREEN.
The duet between Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff) took my breath away. Absolutely fantastic.
I am so glad to see Idina Menzel guest star as the coach of Vocal Adrenaline! Now, if only Glee brought back April Rhodes (Kristin Chenoweth) so that Kristin and Idina could be reunited…
Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer), I wish I could be half as fierce as you.
Terri Schuester (Jessalyn Gilsig) still terrifies me as much as she did in the first 13 episodes. That woman is an insane amount of crazy.

That is all.