First John Green Book.

One thing that I look into whenever I choose a book to read is the cover.. Yes, the cover; not the author, the synopsis, or how popular it is on Amazon. In fact, that is how I bought my very first fictional book, right in the "Young Adults" section of Powerbooks, where all the colorful, glittery book covers of Meg Cabot (Patricia Cabot) were placed, I grabed "All American Girl" because of its "cute" cover. (Lame. I know.) And from then on I started collecting her novels and series, and other books from Simon Pulse (Which also has cute cartoon covers..) and Sophie Kinsella. 

And so when I saw an Instagram post of this book, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green,  I instantly borrowed it from my friend. I don't know any novels of John Green, I didn't even know he's the author of this book, what caught my attention more is the comment of Jodi Picoult right above the book. Haha! So, when I got the book, I immediately started my reading.

I didn't put down the book until I've read the first five chapters of it. (I won't go into details on the story as I may be spoiling some of the parts to those who haven't read it yet or planning to read it too.) I was hooked up on the character of Hazel and her situation and wondered if people similar to her were really like that. Anyway, as I am at the middle of the book, a friend (Ate Grace) saw me holding it and she said.. "Ay? Maganda yan! Pero... Basta!" and I was like "Eeeeeehh.. Ano? Mamamatay noh? Hindi happy ending noh?" (SPOILER MUCH!) So upon hearing that, I read it as fast (I'm a busy person, and I do my "leisure" reading and "school" reading almost simultaneously..) as I can and when I reach the end of it.. I let out a sigh and felt my eyes watering.. BUT I managed to hold it back. (Kung nagkataon, unang beses ko iiyak sa pagbasa ng libro, paano na kung nagbasa ako ng Nicholas Sparks?) After finishing the book, I texted Ate Grace.. "Bittersweet ending.. Naiyak naman ako dito.." and she replied "I warned you.. :)". Yup, you did warn me. 

It was a good read. And one thing I've learned from this book is that life is unfair, and knowing that, we should be able to live it to the fullest (not recklessly of course), to live it like it was our last day, and to simply appreciate life as it is, however unfair it may seem. Also, I realized that if people like Hazel and Augustus can have a good life despite their condition, why on earth am I focusing on all the negative things that's surrounding me? :) I know I'm not a bearer of "happy jujus" and can spread it like the fairygodmothers spread pixie dust (HA? ANO? Anong pinagsasabi ko?) but it doesn't hurt to sometimes be happy and smile for no reason at all, right? 

I am no "book critic", but I recommend this book for anyone who has a time to read. :) It's so good, I think this is the first that I've ever written a blog post about a book. HAH! And I'd like to thank Ms. Paulina Piñon for lending me this book.. I really loved it dear.. Thank you. :) 

So 'till here..

Paradigm Shift.

Think of a Paradigm Shift as a change from one way of thinking to another. It's a revolution, a transformation, a sort of metamorphosis. It just does not happen, but rather it is driven by agents of change. [http://www.taketheleap.com/define.html]

A paradigm is our perception of reality, our view of the world. It is our interpretation of events based on previous teaching we have received. If our paradigm is based only on our input from the media of conventional newspapers, magazines, radio, television, Hollywood films, public education etc., may God help us, for we will only see things the way they, the elite and wealthy rulers of this world who control these sources of information, want us to see things! This is often the opposite of the Truth. A paradigm shift means to have a sudden change in perception, a sudden change in point of view, of how you see things. [http://deeptruths.com/paradigm_shift.html]

So what about "paradigm shift"? [WOW! Big word!] Lately I've been having a lot of realizations about my future. It's just a matter of two months before I turn 25 and yet I feel like I've been on the same "episodes" of my life.. Routinary. Cycle. Paulit-ulit? Unli? Something like that. [Quarter-life crisis? Di naman siguro.. But it can be. Haha!] I know this has been my "forever rant" -- to have CHANGE in my current life, any change for that matter; career/job, hobbies, school stuff, etc. Basta, anything that will change something, be it temporary or permanent, I'll jump into it. BUT of course, I need to weigh certain pros and cons before making a decision, and I need to consider a lot of factors that will affect my decision; time management, salary [Haha!], "financial damage", outcomes, sacrifices, etc.

Paradigm shift, as to my understanding, is a change not on the current situation but rather more on the change of perception on why certain things happen. Change of perception -- this has been a challenge for me for the past two years [Grabe, ang tagal!] -- that certain things happened and turned out to be NOT IN MY FAVOR. ANG SAKIT! Tagos sa buto! [*Angel Locsin tone* in the movie "Unofficially Yours." Bwahaha!] There were nights I kept wishing that it didn't / never happened, I even blamed myself why it happened, or why I let it happen.. But as time goes, I've come to accept that those things happened, IT JUST HAPPENED, and there's nothing more that I can do but just these three things -- ACCEPTANCE, FORGIVENESS, AND LIVE. True enough that it's easier said than done.. but that's the beauty of it.. "challenging" as it may seem, it is possible to overcome the bad with the good, rather than let yourself be consumed by evil. Change of perception. Paradigm shift. 

A friend once told me that "there can't be any change in your life unless you allow change. Parang ang dating nya eh "Walang magbabago kung wala kang babaguhin." Change is not a gust of wind [YEEEEEES! Guma-gust of wind pa! Ano nakain ko?] that will come your way and then.. poof! Changed person ka na! You also have to have effort to bring about change in your life, if your open to it, then you'll be positive on what change can bring you. Certain sacrifices must be made, it the outcomes will be for the better, why not do it, right? As hard as it is to let go of the things na nakasanayan na natin, we need to do it so that change can occur.Set your priorities well. Allow change. Paradigm shift.

Lastly, dahil sa gustong-gusto ko ng "changes" sa buhay ko, I take charge of  how to run my life. I have MY plans set already and then that's just the time that I'll turn to God to bless and guide me as I execute MY plan. I 've had my fair share of having control in my life, but it turns out I'm not so good at it.; I keep stumbling, mistake after mistake. And that's when it hit me.. I NEED TO BACK DOWN AND SURRENDER. So I guess now is the time to stop putting puzzle pieces that don't fit on the blank spaces. Let go. Let God. Paradigm shift.

So, this ends here. Au revoir! ^_____^

I'm still.. and will always be excited on God's awesome plan for me. BRING IT! :)

Go And Sin No More.

The perfect song for this year's Youth Camp with the theme "Breaking Sin". The message is simple but has a great impact, especially to the ones who can relate to it. [I think almost everyone can.] It's about Repentance, Redemption, and everything in between. If you're not familiar with the song, you can search for it via YouTube. :)

GO AND SIN NO MORE
by: Rebecca St. James

I've sinned, come on my knees
For I'm not worthy of Your love
How could You die for me
Such grace can only come from God

Oh Lord, You search and You know me
You see me inside out
God, You alone can forgive me
Erase my fear and my doubt
Father, You pick me up
I feel like a child in Your arms
I don't deserve this love,
but I hear Your voice, Lord Jesus

CHORUS:
Go and sin no more
He said "I will not condemn you,
I'll forgive and I'll forget it all
Go and sin no more
My child, let me remind you it
is I who'll lead and guide you as you go"

You are my purpose - You are the reason that I live
I want to be like You - Help me to love and to forgive
God, let me not be distracted
Lord, help me focus on You
Keep sin from ruling my life, Lord - make me holy and pure
Father, You pick me up - I feel like a child in Your arms
I don't deserve this love but, I hear Your voice Lord, Jesus

CHORUS:
Go and sin no more
He said "I will not condemn you,
I'll forgive and I'll forget it all
Go and sin no more
My child, let me remind you it
is I who'll lead and guide you as you go"

Wipe, wipe away
Take, take away
Break, break away
Fill my life, make it right
Father, help me, Father, help me go

CHORUS:
He said "I will not condemn you, no
Go and sin no more
My child let me remind you it is I
who'll lead and guide you as you go"

I've sinned, come on my knees, how could You die for me
You search my heart - know my thoughts
See me inside out and all throughout me
You alone can forgive me
You always pick me up - like a child in Your arms
I could stay with Your forever here

And the saga continues.. Let's put on the armor and together be the army of God. :)

Yes, She Doesn't Mind.

New URL. And yes, SHE DOESN'T MIND! She. Doesn't Freaking. Mind. Ü

I first thought of 'shedoesntmind' for my new URL, but since its so common and any other girl can think of it to be their blog's URL, it wasn't available for use. And so I used my beloved first name and came up with 'melissadoesntmind'.

Why I don't mind?

First of all, I am a bit of a worry-wart. An OC planner. A workaholic mulit-tasker. [Yep, I'm that busy bee.] And I am very VERY tired already. With all the things I've been doing lately, I think I lost track of what's really important, my priorities are lost. I keep on looking at the future, but the sad truth is, my present is a mess. A really big mess. So during one of my devotions, I came across with these quote:

"In principle, we want God's wisdom. In practice, we follow our own."

It made me think for a while, and realized that it was right. That I always tend to ask for God's wisdom and knowledge when I need it, especially when making a decision, but in the end, I follow my own discernment, and trust that God will make it work in my favor. Gaaaaah! Control freak. Kainis!

But now, I have a new mantra. I won't mind. It doesn't mean that I won't care, its just that I wouldn't stress myself with the things around me to go my way. Or I would take it nicely and whole-heartedly if my desires wouldn't be given to me. [YET!] And I will try to live one day at a time. Ü I won't mind if my boss continues to reprimand me whenever/wherever she wants. I won't mind if my professors gave a lot of "last-minute" papers due next week. I won't mind if some of my friends may seem distant at times. I won't mind if people continue to lie, cheat, steal, etc.

But I will mind my judgments towards other people; my choice of words and my tone of voice when I talk to other people; my my heart to find forgiveness to others, and to myself as well.

That's all. Couldn't think of a better conclusion for this entry. I hope you don't mind. Gaaah! Get it? Ü

Scrubs. (All Over Again.)

And because I'm super bored everyday at work, and because the "resource" is available (and accessible), and because I CAN.. I'm currently watching Scrubs, from Season 1! Ü I've seen it before 'till Season 5, I think. And now, watching it again.. Mas gets ko na yung jokes at sarcasm nila. Hahaha! Ü SO mas natatawa na ko.

That's it. Ktnxbye.