Ok, it's been a while since I've written anything. Lately, or just late last week, I've been fangirling on SHINee--a 5-man boyband from South Korea. I'm not new to K-pop, but I wasn't a fan either. I like J-pop more, which is probably because of the animes I watch. :D

I've had a long-standing love affair with this famous coffee shop. From the very first cup of Cafe Latte (yes, I remember the first cup of coffee I ordered, since I was a noob, I played safe) to their latest blended drink--Salted Caramel Mocha--I've never wavered in my affection for this java megacorp.

Since 2006, I've been collecting their annual planner. Amassing sticker after sticker as soon as I can, so I can get hold of their beautiful planners in as little time as possible. Even if that means drinking a cup a day (drastically draining my weekly allowance, of course), or asking friends who weren't really interested in acquiring the planner to hand over their stickers to me instead.

It's that time of the year again, and I've had a slow start in collecting the stickers for the planner because usually I'm there on the very first day. But this year, I'm taking it in stride, since I still have the 2012 planner to fill out until the end of the year, anyway.

What got me excited was the new colors that the planners came in. Green is my favorite color and will definitely get that planner...soon. Only 16 more coffees to go!

I clearly remember the very first time I came across Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl. I was looking for alternatives after reading Harry Potter's 4th installment. I didn't want to be idle while waiting for book 5 to come out (which did take long, by the way), so I searched and searched for a good HP-like series and found Artemis Fowl.

Artemis Fowl the First Book

I was instantly hooked. It was like Harry Potter, but it really wasn't. Haha! First, Artemis wasn't a wizard with a magical wand or spell to zap away evil minions. No. All Artemis had was his remarkable brain (and his adorably gigantic but efficient bodyguard, Butler). He was a genius. And a criminal. A very rich, intelligent criminal. Who stumbled upon the world of the faeries, in particular, Holly Short.

I followed Artemis and his many adventures until the 7th book, Artemis Fowl The Atlantis Complex. Watched him grow into a teenage boy and change from a mastermind out to amass wealth and knowledge, to a savior of the world. I love the witty banter between the characters. I love the characters and the way they developed in each book. I even love Mulch Diggums, even though he seems like a stinky character, literally.

I love the series so much I even bought the 2 graphic novels of the first 2 books (wonder when the 3rd will come out)!

The First Book in Graphics

Now, the last book of the series has rolled off the press: Artemis Fowl The Last Guardian. And like the HP series, it's going to be hard to let go of  the characters you've come to love over the years. It's kind of sad. Like an ending of an era. Haha! Getting all sentimental, am I?

I have yet to buy the last book, as it's still in hardbound cover. But until then, I don't have to say goodbye to Artemis. No, not just yet.

Just watched a replay of the Top 13 results show of American Idol, and I'm glad that my faves in the boys got through, Philip Philips, Heejun Han, and Colton Dixon. Very happy that Jessica Sanchez made it. Yey! Another Filipino-American this season. I hope she makes it to the very end. I also like Erika Van Pelt for the girls.

However, I think one of the boys will win this season - AGAIN. C'mon girls! Represent!

Couldn't say much about the judges, since as of today, they'll have no say on who stays or goes. But they did great in bringing in an eclectic mix of super talented people to the show.

Yun lang. Bow.

I've always wanted a tree house. But here in the Philippines, it's not really a common thing to have, especially when you live in the city. The closest I've come to a tree house is in our province in Pangasinan. The old house of my uncle was a typical bahay kubo where the first floor was open space where you can keep your chickens and other stuff.

A typical Bahay Kubo in the Philippines

I loved that house. It was cool, airy, and it was shaded with trees. The floors were made of bamboo slats from which you can see the open first floor. I remember many days with my cousins when we used to scrounge for pukak (for the life of me, I don't know what this fruit seed really is called, I just know this is what we call it) seeds and my auntie would roast them while we wait on the dining table. Good times. Happy good times.

Anyway, going back to tree houses. This one I found on the Internet takes the cake. It's not just a tree house you play in with friends. It can totally be a real house - just up in the trees. It's really idyllic and I can see myself reading a gazillion books and writing novels and drinking coffee and doing crafts and baking...yeah, all those homey things I like to do but don't have the time for.

This makes me wish we had a big tree and space in our yard...

From Apartment Therapy