My attempt at the 2009 100+ Reading Challenge starts here.
Fate has brought you to this sketchbook - a slice of life behind the eyes of a seventeen-year-old Filipina residing in sunny England.
Alanis Morisette - Ironic
Title: Stargirl
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Rating: 4.5/5
Book 3 of 100: (The 100+ Reading Challenge)
Stargirl Caraway arrives at Mica High and everything changes for Leo Borlock. At first everyone likes her nonconformist attitudes but when it starts to wear thin the students shun her. Not Leo, for he finds that he has fallen in love with her!
I loved this book. Stargirl has definitely moved me and inspired me to a great extent. However, I could not fathom why it was written for young adults when I think it is acceptable to place it onto children’s shelves.
Stargirl Caraway is not your average schoolmate. Too perky and goofy (pet rat, ukelele, sunflower canvas bag?), it’s just a case of either loving her or loathing her - there’s not an in-between. But in Leo Borlock’s case, of course, there is an exception.
Although she seems out of this world, no pun intended to her name, she is closer to our inner selves than we could ever imagine. She may be annoying at times but it’s through her that I learned the possibility of erasing oneself and being one with the earth.
They’re okay most of the time. But sometimes they just get in the way. The earth is speaking to us, but we can’t hear because of all the racket our senses are making. Sometimes we need to erase them, erase our senses. Then, maybe, the earth will touch us. The universe will speak. The stars will whisper.
I was genuinely impressed by her simple outlook in life - making others happy is what makes her happy. Turning a year older tomorrow? No fuss - she’s got your birthday card ready. Brace yourself for a serenade, too. It’s funny how she thinks of everyone for the most part of her life but there are times when she never gets appreciated. The nice thing about it, however, is that she does not care what they think of her.
Apparently, Leo has never thought of this in a million years: Stargirl is to become his girlfriend. Standing on opposite poles, there is just great attraction between them that even Leo could not explain. This story just goes to show that a nobody, in layman’s terms, can change you for the better and that simple things in life can set you free.
She was bendable light: she shone around every corner of my day.
This book is a light and hilarious read with a deeper meaning than what I have expected. I was pleased to know that there will be a movie adaptation of this soon and I just can’t wait to get my hands on its sequel Love, Stargirl. In the words of Archie:
When a Stargirl cries, she does not shed tears, but light.
Keyshia Cole- Heaven Sent
It’s only Monday but I feel like I’ve gone through a whole week already - I’m exhausted. The rain totally didn’t help. I feel a bit glum.
Chemistry was okay. We only have one topic left to do and away we go to University. If we pass our A-levels, that is.
I also think I’m allergic to something. My hands itch like hell. I initially thought it was because of the gloves I used for washing up the other day, but no. Until I find out what I’m allergic to then I guess I’ll have to put up with resisting the temptation to scratch for now.
It’s funny how I’m a clean freak and all that - washing my hands all the time - yet it’s still my hands that get the worst treatment. Not that there’s any connection, that I know of at least, between washing your hands and getting allergies - I’m just saying.
I need a bit of cheering up today.
Contrary to my previous blog entry, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO WATCH SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE TODAY.
Urgh. I am so gutted. And do you know why we haven’t been able to watch the film?
Because my parents and I are so used to lying that it finally took its toll on us!
Okay - I see you knitting your brows. You don’t understand a word I’m saying, do you? Well, here’s the thing. Whenever we go to the cinema, or ride the metro and stuff like that, I usually get one of the children’s tickets. Obviously, I’m not a child anymore because I’m nearly eighteen. But the good thing about being a Filipino is that you can tell everyone that you’re only thirteen and get away with it. Nobody will dare ask for your ID and stuff - just do your wide-eyed-slash-innocent face and you’re all good to go.
If you’re asking why I always get children’s tickets - well, let’s just say it’s waaay cheaper than the normal price. Lol ^_^ Sayang din naman yung mase-save mo, di ba?
So yeah. My dad got into the queue and when he reached the till, he asked for two adult tickets and one child. The lady asked him how old I was and he said, automatically, thirteen (halatang sanay na mambola, eh noh?). Apparently, Slumdog was only for ages 15 and over. Yeah, well - I’m seventeen and I’m perfectly old enough to watch the film pero nagkabuhul-buhol ang mundo.
Today’s ironic. Really.
Moral of the story - don’t lie. Mag-ipon ka na lang ng pambayad sa sinehan. Mura lang naman. Kahit Pilipino ka pa, iwasan mo na rin ang pagiging kuripot paminsan-minsan. ^_^
