NBS 99 Sale Haul on a Tight Budget

Sunday, July 25, 2021

NBS 99 Sale is extended until the end of August 2021. Despite doing some major budgeting for the two months, I was able to squeeze in at least 6 books, 5 of them are from the National Book Store Shopee account and 1 from their branch at Pavillion Mall Biñan. These are the books I got online and their discounted prices:

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach - P99 
Desert God by Wilbur Smith - P100
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon - P99
Ramona Forever by Beverly Cleary - P50
Sword of Destiny by Justin Hill - P100

It was packed pretty well and got more discounts via Shopee coins and vouchers, so in total, I spent 336 pesos for 5 books. I thought that was a pretty good deal I guess. hehe.  And this is the biggest sale with huge discounts I ever experienced from the National Book Store plus the mode of payment is COD or Cash-on-Delivery via Shopee platform, I didn't want to miss it. I got nothing from BBW 2021 online sale since they have a payment first policy and the delivery could take months.


Then, just the other day after claiming our loot bags from Gabay Guro with my co-teachers, we also dropped by at the NBS branch of Pavillion Mall. I wasn't able to resist the charm of the books though I was really trying my best not to be tempted, I decided to buy one book by Sophie Kinsella. Shopaholic and Sister was such a steal for a price of 63 pesos from 351 pesos. So why not squeeze another book on my tight budget. hehe. Justification. haha. I am hopeless. 


So for NBS 99 Sale, I spent a total of 399 for 6 books. I need to cut and stop buying for this year since I still have TBR on my shelves. haha. How about you? What are your experiences with this year's NBS 99 Sale? What's in your haul?

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I Surrender To Know Him Completely

Sunday, July 18, 2021



Men have always been a mystery to me. For sure I had a lot of ideas about them based on the environment I grew up in, books I read, movies, and series I have watched, I thought I knew them well enough. But now, here at the moment, I realize that it is only a peak of an iceberg and some are biased or stereotyped or even a fabricated version of what a man is or can be or should be. I was clueless, out of footing, and in a bliss of ignorance.

The male type of human species was a threat and a danger to me. They are enemies. Violent, angry, and abusive were only a few of the impressions I had towards them. Though I had a few crushes and infatuations from the male type species, it didn't diminish the bad impression I had with the group. I guess it was the idea of a perfect or fictional image of a man that I created based on them that made me fall for or like them, which most of the time were too ideal to be real. 

I reconciled this off feeling towards men when I surrendered it to God. There are still times I get too conscious and suspicious towards men, but I am aware that it is a moment-by-moment surrendering, it is not a one-time thing for me for now. I am looking forward to that time when this ill-feeling will completely vanish in my heart, and I am glad that I am in that process. 

When I accepted how sinful and imperfect I am, and how Jesus Christ paid for my sins and that through Him I was forgiven, I was able to forgive him, them, those who did something to me, to my innocence. And also through the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, my dark past no longer has its grip on me. He freed me from shame and guilt that haunted me for a very long time. He made me anew. He brought peace to my life. He accepted me and transformed my life.    

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17

So the recent book I read, Know Him Completely by Jenny King, gave me some practical tips or information that can be or may be useful in understanding or at least have a little idea on how to deal with M. Again, I agreed and sometimes disagreed with the author as I read the book. There are some ideas that I think are outdated, that's for me, and there are also a few helpful tips that I appreciated so much. Better yet, try reading this book by Ms. King, and you may tell me what you think by commenting down below or sending me a private message. See you. 

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We Can All Be Beautiful, You and Me

Tuesday, July 6, 2021


When I was younger and so oblivious of what really matters in life, I thought beauty is only skin deep. that beauty can only be achieved only if you are perfect, if you aren't, then being beautiful is too far from your reach. And this kind of mindset pestered me unceasingly during my adolescent years and early and late 20s, I thought I can only be called beautiful, only if I am perfect, free from all flaws and imperfections. I wanted to be a good example of the manufactured beauty of society. I did the best I could in my own way to be perfect, but in the end, I was far more than being perfect, even light-years away. The sad part during those times of insecurities and dissatisfaction with my physical appearance is I took for granted some people who appreciated and accepted me the most, the real me, the imperfect me, with a beauty that I failed to recognize because of the unrealistic expectations from myself.

It is only in recent years that I finally accepted that true beauty is more than meets the eye. That anyone and everyone can be called beautiful. The true beauty that we all possess within us is something that we fail to recognize most of the time. I thought beauty is something that I see physically from celebrities, models, and the likes. They are all gorgeous and I thought I wanted to become like them, look like them, but I was so wrong trying to copycat them. I may not look like any other celebrities or models out there, but I am glad that it is never too late for me to accept and appreciate the imperfections I have and recognize the true beauty God has given me. 

You can be beautiful outside but completely rotten inside. Cliche and supernatural it may sound, I feel most beautiful when I have peace and contentment, and when I said peace, I mean "the" true peace.

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 
1 Peter 3:3-4


You Can Be Beautiful by Diana Reyes is another preloved book that I got from my co-teacher. It took me more than a month to finish this book. I have to be honest I disagree with some of the ideas I encounter from this book. You may want to read the book to know exactly what I mean. In general, it is a self-help book that showcases practical tips on how to be beautiful, especially for women. You have all the right to apply or not to follow the recommended tips that you may come face to face from the book. It is helpful in its own way and you can get some helpful reminders to improve or add light to the way we see beauty.

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Jujutsu Kaisen makes GojoHime a Canon (Onegaishimasu...)

Monday, June 28, 2021

I just finished another series. 

Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime series based on a manga by Gege Akutami. Attack On Titan Season 4 led me here. They are both produced by Mappa Studio. I like the style of the characters I mean who wouldn't. (hehe) So, as I watched the series I learned that Jujutsu Kaisen is translated in English as Sorcery Fight.

I was hesitant to take a chance on this series since it has a violent theme and a lot of fight scenes are to be expected that's why I withdrew from watching JJK right away after finishing the season of AOT. After a month or two have passed, I finally had the courage to watch Jujutsu Kaisen. I had a high expectation for JJK since I heard and read a lot of raving about it, and again I repeat, the graphic style of the characters really got me at first sight. Just like many of us, if not all, I must say that Gojo Satoru did all the luring. He expectantly charmed the anime fans into watching Jujutsu Kaisen. (haha)

I haven't read the manga, and I am never planning to. I guess I'll stick to its anime series for now, and wait for the second season since the author is on hiatus. 

Jujutsu Kaisen falls under the genre of adventure, dark fantasy, and supernatural, I decided to prepare my heart and mind, and it is a good decision I made. There are a lot of fight scenes in JJK and deaths are something that is unavoidable. Heartbreaking as it is, it is a reality that humans have to reconcile with; be it in your favorite story or in real life. But still, it is difficult for me to move on whenever someone has to say goodbye in the series. There are also hilarious scenes in the series which I think balance the morbidity a little.

Mappa Studio never fails to amaze me with their production. The fight scenes were incredibly and smoothly executed. It felt eerie watching the fight scenes and your heart won't be able to rest. It is a good anime to watch if you prefer this kind of genre, but if not please pass on this one.

This is not a romance-themed story and I am aware of that, but I just can't help to notice the chemistry and possible budding of romance between Iori Utahime and Gojo Satoru. If you have watched or you are planning to watch the series I am sure that you will notice it too. I totally ship them. They can be a canon, soon. (hehe)

Canon or Fanon?

Have you watched or are you planning to watch JJK? Share your thoughts. 

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Arlene Manocot's books on Goodreads
Once Summer Days Once Summer Days (Fangirling Series, Book 3)
ratings: 4 (avg rating 4.25)

My Hopeless Case My Hopeless Case (Fangirling Series, Book 1)
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Chasing an Elusive Dream Chasing an Elusive Dream (Fangirling Series, Book 2)
ratings: 3 (avg rating 5.00)

Yearning for the One Yearning for the One
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ratings: 2 (avg rating 3.00)

The Gung Ho Lady The Gung Ho Lady (Gung Ho Series, #1)
reviews: 1
ratings: 1 (avg rating 5.00)

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