20th December 2013

I have been very busy because of my internship and final project.
20-12-13 was my 19th birthday and also my final project presentation. Oh-ho! What a great present for my birthday. What worse was.. I was the first one to do the presentation!
I can't even sleep.
Luckily, you know what? I was told I was the best presenter. Yeay!
And I really wanted to go home faster. I had a reason for that.
Because Ochan was waiting for meeee!!! Special guest on my birthday!
I never get this excited on my birthday.
I requested my brother to bring Ochan to home. I feel it is a must to meet Ochan again before I leave.
My second family (read: best friends) also came to my house. Stefanie gave me a necklace.

She has her necklace from long time ago. She just put it there to take a photo of it together. We have our friendship necklace now! This is the most precious gift from the most precious person.
Ah!
My best friends gave me a surprise on 19-12-13. We went to karaoke. Stefanie got a call and she went out. She did not come back for quite a long time. I wonder what took her so long. When Kevin Ong and I sang 'Hunter Hayes-Wanted', it stopped in the middle we were singing. The whole room was in bewilderment. What happened? Suddenly, Stefanie came and held a cake. Of course, the others grasped the situation and then sang a happy birthday song to me. It was not an usual birthday song. It was Jambrud's song (an Indonesian band).
Why she gave me the surprise on the wrong date? Why earlier?
It was because I already knew the cake. That was her reason.

It was said, that was Ariel cake. However, the barbie did not have the red hair.
But, whatever! That was the most beautiful cake so far on my birthday.
My crush *ahem* and my friend also came to my house. He brought a cake for me. However, he forgot to ask the candle because he was in a rush. He had a class on that day and skipped the class. I really appreciate his effort. He did not need to do that though. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it. I cut it right away!
I asked him to come inside my house but he refused because there were my friends. I felt terribly sorry to him.
To conclude, my birthday in this year was so satisfying!

Book Review : Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Synopsis :
One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

I think I expected too much from this book.
The story is quite boring and not really necessary.
What's with the fuss, everybody in Allegiant?
I keep reading it because of my favorite characters, Tris and Tobias.
I wish they had a happy ending after all the struggles they've been through.
Too bad.. The author wants it another way.
I don't know whether I should be happy or not with the ending.
Too many sacrifices in this book..
Tris always sacrifices herself and prioritizes someone else first. I respect her decisions. She did it because of love.
I love Tris. She is a very likeable heroine for me. I will miss you, Tris........and Uriah.
[Uriah is my third favorite character]

Well, I didn't really understand the point of the story. But I understand now!
Someone explained to me in goodreads's forum. Perhaps some of you don't understand too, here's the explanation:

"The way I understood it in the book was that a long time ago, people got the idea that they could improve people by messing with their genes.
The plan backfired and resulted in what they now call the genetically damaged (GD) people. Which is who they blame for the Purity Wars that wiped out over half of the world's population.

The Divergent people are the ones they think are the genetically pure people - like the original people who's genes weren't altered.

They look at the GDs as a lower class of people and say that because of their bad genes, they can't help the bad things they do. But they also don't really care if they live or die since they aren't what they want in terms of genes to pass on to the future generations in their goal to attain a perfect humanity again.

I don't really get it. It's not really necessary I think.

That's the whole point of the last part of the story when they want to change things by erasing the scientist's memories. Tris and the people who want to rebel against the system don't believe that the GD stuff is true. They blame bad things on human nature and think that the experiments are cruel and unnecessary. And result in a lot of unnecessary death."

And I will be good enough to rate this 4 stars because I love the first two books so much!

Favorite Quote
“You don’t believe things because they make your life better, you believe them because they’re true.” - Veronica Roth, Allegiant

Rate 
★★★★

Book Spoiler : Fast-Tracked by Tracy Rozzlynn

Synopsis :

Study hard, do well on your assessment, and you’ll be rewarded.

The phrase had been repeated throughout Alexandria's life. A person’s ranking on the assessment test determined everything. Their job, where they lived, and even who they could marry. At least that’s what Alexandria though before she received the results.

Everything Alexandria believed was a lie. Fast-trackers run the country. Anger one of them and your whole world could fall apart. Anger one of them and the people you love would suffer.

Alexandria was elevated to fast-tracker status while her best-friend turned true love was plummeted to the lowest possible rank - a guaranteed life of hardship and misery. She plunges herself into the fast-tracker’s world in hopes of helping Byron. But can she help Byron before she completely loses herself to the allure of their lifestyle?

Alexandria got the highest society status, gold. She is fast-tracked.
Meanwhile, Byron got red. He became a garbage man.
Not only Byron who live in misery, Alexandria too because Byron is not with her.
Alexandria met Avery at the air-tram. Avery was totally a nice guy. I loved him! However, Alexandria did not like him. She keep insisting she is not interested in romance right now. Her mind still thinking about Byron, Byron, and Byron!
Her goal is to rescue Byron to get his proper status. She is in the advantage position and situation because Avery's father has the power to arrange the status. If any one messes up with his father, get ready to be sent to low status. Well, it is so unfair. Byron's father did have a problem with Avery's father at work.
I got mad with Alexandria. Like, seriously?! I was at lost of words. How can she be that selfish after all Avery's sacrifices for her? Avery does everything to help her. He always pampers her with luxury dates.
Fortunately, she did not choose Avery.
At the end of the book, oh my.....gawd! I can't believe it, Avery!
He is the baddest man tantamount to his father! Like father, like son. It broke my heart.
I was wrong. He does everything not to help her but to win her heart even if it has to hurt her. Such an evil bastard. I thought he had a healthy battle with Byron.
The twist in this book is very unexpected!
I am sorry Alexandria, I judged you too fast. I like her a lot now. She is a very strong character, independent, and loyal.
The flaw of this book is too many narratives. The author is too detail and I do not think that all of the things she stated was very necessary. I like more conversation in a book.

Rate 
★★★★

Annoying Personality

After fraternize with some of my friends, I sum up some personality that I dislike from people.
First, sensitive person. Whenever I am with this person, I have to be careful with my words. I am a sagittarius and I talk bluntly. It's like whatever I say to them is wrong, and they get hurt. They get offended easily. I prefer to be quiet then.
Second, nosy person. I had this kind of situation : I was having fun chit chat with my friends and then suddenly my uninvited friend came to us, sat there, listened and the ambiance got awkward abruptly. Well.. I thinks it's better if the person who comes to us is talkative or extrovert one. What are you doing come to a group suddenly and just listen the whole thing? Are you a spy?
Third, liar. I believe everybody in this world hate this type. But still, depends on each individual. There are some kind people who still giving them another chances after they are deceived. For me, I will mention it again, I am a sagittarius and I will not give a second chance for a liar. I will not trust a liar forever and ever again. If a liar confides in me, my role play will be turned on. I have to be a hypocrite in front of them. I will pretend to listen to your story when I don't even care a single tiny bits of your story. Just hear them. Let their words come into the right ear, and come out from the left ear. Not forget to mention, better don't lie to some people! It will be the best if you don't lie to all of the people though. Just avoid those 'some people' (read:Sagittarius) like me. We will find out the truth eventually. No kidding. We are so persistent to know the truth. We are a great detective wanna be!
Sometimes, I think why should I have these kind of friends? May be God is testing me and my patience?
For now, I think that's all I can share. I will update if I meet another annoying personality.

Bag Review : Michael Kors' Jet Set Travel Tote

I bought this bag earlier than Coach's Mini Tanner.
It's neverfull style!

 

I was hesitating about what size should I buy, small or big?
Ended up bought the big size! This color is called Zinnia Pink.

The flaw of this bag is.. there is no zipper closure!
It's quite dangerous to use this bag.
It provokes 'naughty hand' action when you are not aware of your surrounding.
For me, I use it to go to campus since I can put all of my necessity inside. Like macbook's charger, mobile phone's charger, scarf, bottle, hair roller, and miscellaneous.

I'm thinking to buy Coach's North South City Tote because it's slimmer and has a zipper closure. Safer, right?

So, what do you guys think?

Bag Review : Coach's Mini Tanner

This is my very first time reviewing a bag.
So..I bought this bag by myself from my pocket money and I'm proud of it!
Well, this is not the first bag I bought by myself though, but I want to share it because I love it so much!
The model looks a little bit similar with Celine Mini Luggage.
I want Celine Mini too!
Due to the expensive price, I can't afford it yet by myself since I still am a college student and haven't worked.
And...this is it! Mini Tanner by Coach.
I love blue, that's why I picked this color! This color is called Robin.

Well, this bag is quite spacious for a "mini"

See what I can put inside it

I will take 'em out from Mini Tanner

Those are things that I carry all the time : Band-aid, make-up poach, wallet, wet tissue, power bank or portable charger, and 2 mobile phones.

Lastly, here is the close-up picture of my baby♥

See you in the next post!

Book Review : The Disappeared by C. J. Harper

Synopsis :
In a future where children are segregated into institutions that range from comfortable “Learning Communities” to prison-like “Local Academies”, seventeen-year-old Jackson is an academic high flyer, living in a top Learning Community and destined for a position in the Leadership. But when he is sent with his best friend Wilson to deliver a package to a factory block, the two boys are attacked, leaving Jackson badly beaten and Wilson dead.

Confused and upset, Jackson returns to his Learning Community only to be dismissed by his teachers who claim not to know him. Sent to an Academy, an institute set up to train factory workers, Jackson finds himself immersed in a world that couldn’t be further removed than the comfortable life he’s used to; a harsh, violent, semi-articulate society where the students have created their own hierarchy based on fighting ability.

Using his wits to survive, Jackson starts to realise that his whole life has been based on half-truths. And in order to survive he needs to expose the lies that surround the Academy and find out the truth about who he really is. As he builds alliances and begins to educate those closest to him, a plan for rebellion and escape gradually comes into shape...

Fast-paced, page-turning, moving, yet with a streak of dark humour, The Disappeared is a very British dystopia, with shades of Orwell and Huxley.

Bumped into another mediocre novel again. The romance in this book is meager.
In The Academy, all the students are called Specials.
They have their rank based on how they fight in the arena on friday night.
The highest level for male is called Rex and for female is Dom.
They get extra food and Specials respect them.
Below them are Red and Hon Red.
Out of all that just normal Specials and of course all of them strive to get into one of the category above.
The Academy is a very dirty, horrendous, and uneducated place.
They are not taught how to read and write,
they are allowed to have sex and babies, moreover the enforcers encourage them,
the food given have drug in it, and
they will be punished with a little bit of electric shock and for the worse case, they will be sent out to the Wilderness.
Wilderness is a deserted place with feral boys in there. They hunt you, they eat you.
I can't imagine if that place did exist in this world!
But basically, the suspense in this book is not high, just mediocre.
I feel nothing towards the characters too. I don't know if I really need to read the second book or not.

Rate 
★★