Severus Snape, for the Last Time

I don't... I wanna cry. I'm still in the office and I wanna cry after having read this a second time. 

There are very few things in this world that elicit this strong a feeling from me (because let's face it - I'm pretty apathetic and oblivious to a lot of things). One of those handful of things is the Harry Potter series. Jo Rowling built a world with her marvelous wit and imagination - the world where, upon reading the first book, I undoubtedly belonged to. I found home buried in those pages, devouring chapter per chapter as fast as my eyes could read, as swift as my brain could process. I grew with the characters. I laughed, cried, learned, loved, got frightened, and triumphed with them. 

I read those books over and over, discovering new things with each rereading. Those are the only books that I guarantee I will never get tired of reading. Going back to those pages feels like enveloping myself in the arms of friends and family. The wonder and awe that every sentence gives me brings me back to my childhood.

Ten years. Ten years of my life I spent with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They aren't just characters anymore. They're friends, all of them. I couldn't look back at my life without mentioning Harry Potter.

The movies, on the other hand, brought my world to life and made many people here appreciate the magic. It truly is amazing. Now, with only 2 months to go, the last movie is coming out. Harry Potter will not really go away, what with the theme park and the unwavering love of us fans. The sadness is brought on by the thought that there's not gonna be anything new with Harry anymore. Us fans will just have to content ourselves with revisiting the books and holding Potter-thons. 

Alan Rickman summarized this overwhelming feelings in his short blurb. He encapsulated my experience in a few short sentences. He captured it beautifully. He was perfect as Severus Snape, and for the last time, I'm sure he will exceed all our expectations. I wish the journey could go on forever, but, as they say, all good things come to an end. That's what makes them special.

"Like a Virgin" - Supernatural S6EP12

*spoiler alert*

Sam gets his soul back!

Yeah, did I just spoil it for you? I did warn you though.

Anyway, this is maybe the funniest episode this season so far. The past eps were thrilling, but I missed the softness in Sam that is his soul. Yeah, he is again Mr. Righteous and whiny but the brothers' lovable dynamic is back. It's been so long!

I actually think Dean is funnier with the normal Sam than the soulless one.

So here, the boys are hunting down dragons because the creatures have been kidnapping virgins and taking gold. Dean goes to a professor that specializes in medieval history to consult about killing dragons. A blade forged in dragon blood was needed to do so, and lo' and behold, the professor has one right in the office! And guess what - it was stuck inside a stone. No, it wasn't the Excalibur. 

How Dean got it out of the stone is something to be seen. Seriously, go see it now!

And then there's Sam - crafty crafty Sam. He knew that Dean and Bobby were hiding something from him. And since both wouldn't tell him anything - he fished it out of Castiel! 

So then afterwards, our heroes charged into sewers wielding the magic blade and rescuing virgins. Lol.

In the end was revealed the Mother of All. 

I don't know what will happen - I'm excited to see!

Harry Potter Exhibit!!!

This Harry Potter exhibit will be touring around the world starting next year. It will feature authentic costumes and props from the movies. The tour will last for five years and will go to ten or maybe more cities.

Read the whole press release or visit the Harry Potter: The Exhibit site.

I'm so excited! Okay, I know that it's a long shot for them to come here in the Philippines but hopefully they'd come to a nearby country. I am seriously going to fly there just to see that exhibit!!!

Wow, it's been a long time since I've unleashed my harry-potter-a-holic side. I've missed it! Haha.

Anyway, since I'm in a Harry Potter mood now, updates:

• November 21st : Release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie
• Early 2009 : Harry Potter Exhibition
• Some time between December 15, 2009 and June 30, 2010: Opening of Harry Potter Theme Park
• November 2010: Tentative release date of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
• May 2011 : Tentative Release Date of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

I'm so excited!!!!! Long live the Harry Potter Fandom!!!

I Have No Idea What Title to Give This

So there.

I was supposed to write one of my Top 10 lists I made during work today while I was bored outta my wits, but I went through the top 10 lists and I just realized that they're so boring like Top 10 favorite songs or favorite movies or countries I would like to go to... So ordinary, right? The nice ones I haven't finished yet. I'm still working on 10 Things I'm Gonna Do When I Go to England and the 5 Albums I Wanna Listen to If I'm Trapped in a Deserted Island. Pretty hard because I mean, I'd probably die on that island and so I wanna be listening to all my favorite songs by different artists. Maybe I'll just write "My Own Compilation" there.

I'm still working on the 10 Weirdest Things About Me.

So... I don't know if I've mentioned it but I've been marathon-ing Charmed since I don't know, two or three weeks ago. I'm in Season 4 now, and so I'm kinda back in the whole magical world and everything. So these past couple of days, I've been feeling kinda down. I wanna make myself feel better, but that usually entails lots and lots of sleep, maybe a bit of baking, and lots of DVDs and some books. Maybe ice cream and donuts too. But I'm trying to cut back on fats now 'coz work has me sitting all day, add that with the heat of the summer and I just might get a stroke or a heart attack. So I'm sort of being careful now. And work takes up my whole day (and I can't sleep there) so no time for all the other things, except at night, like right now, maybe for a couple of hours.

I rambled, I know, I'm sorry. So anyway, being back in the magical world because of Charmed combined with the shitty feeling makes me wanna wallow in my sorrow or something. So I thought, what is magical and at the same time sad?

Now I'm back to Harry.

I'm not sure if I'm ready for it yet. I held off all these months from reading it a second time because it's like...such a huge thing. It's the last one, and a heavy one, filled with actions and emotions. It's not like the other books where I could just cry at the end because that's where the sad part is. This book... It's all throughout.

I read until page 6 just awhile ago. It was... I think I'll stop there for now. Because Harry Potter books, especially that last one, demands my whole attention. I can't concentrate when I'm thinking about how I should sleep early because I have another 9 hours of my life to waste at work tomorrow.

But I miss that world. I really do. It's like my safe place, you know? When I'm sad, I could just open the book and get lost in that world again. I wish this work thing is over so I could get back there.

Voldemort, Voldemort, oooh Voldy-voldy--voldy-voldemort!

A couple of week s ago, I downloaded about 13GB worth of Christmas videos. From classic holiday flicks like A Christmas Carol to modern Hollywood products like Santa Clause (1 to 3) to silly cartoon specials like Johnny Bravo Christmas, I have them all, safely tucked inside a folder here in my fast-diminishing Drive C. I really need a new hard disk.

So, as my quest for Christmas videos went on, I stumbled upon these awesome videos which I've almost forgotten about (and I feel really guilty about that. I mean, just because the books are all out doesn't mean that I could forget...what kind of fan am I?! --crazy--).

POTTER PUPPET PALS!!!

I absolutely loved the first two clips they made: Bothering Snape and Trouble at Hogwarts. But guess what, they have new ones! They even did a live performance some time early this month. Of course it's somewhere in the US of A but thank goodness for technology, right?

You can just check out my Multiply site for the rest of the videos, but I'm gonna post my favorite of all.

Potter Puppet Pals in
THE MYSTERIOUS TICKING NOISE

I swear, you're never gonna get this out of your head once you've seen it. it's awesome! I'm still figuring out a way on how to make this my ring tone.

Snape...Snape...Severus Snape...
Snape...Snape...Severus Snape...
Dumbledore!
Ron-Ron-Ron Weasely!
Snape...Snape...Severus Snape...
Dumbledore!
Ron-Ron-Ron Weasley!
Hermione. Hermione!
Harry Potter! Harry Potter! Harry Potter! Harry Potter!

*I can't type everything HAHAHA I just watched it again, makes me crack up every time!

So now, back to reality. I have two long articles to edit and I've only finished like 1/5 of the first one. I also have to make invitations shaped like Chuck Taylors and read about 200 pages worth of readings, all in one day.

I'm going back to my Grey's Anatomy marathon now.

OotP the Movie

Well... It was good enough.

Okay, there wasn't much enthusiasm in that answer. As much as it pains me to admit, I was a bit disappointed with this one. It's the trailer thing. The trailer of OotP was just so amazing that every time I saw it I wanted to cry because it made me so excited to see the movie. But the movie came short of the trailer. I did like the movie, but I know that I didn't love it when it ended because there's this feeling I had like the one I had with the third movie (although I've now seen the beauty of that). When the credits rolled, I was like... Okay... That was it? There was something missing. I don't know what. But it kinda left me hanging.

I must say though that the kids have grown up a lot in every way. Their acting have become fantastic. I guess being around award-winning actors like Gary Oldman and Maggie Smith has paid off. I felt the angst and loneliness of Harry and the love of his friends. Although I'm still not very comfortable with their present Dumbledore... He's too stern for my taste.

One of the things that disappointed me was the show of Fred and George. I expected the chaos to be...well, more chaotic than that. Bigger fireworks. But I guess the one they did was okay enough. The dragon firework was pretty cool, and the way it destroyed all the decrees.

I also didn't love the abruptness of Cho Chang's disposal. But I guess they needed to do that because Harry ends up with Ginny in the next movie and they didn't have time to introduce Marietta, Cho's friend who was the real culprit. Then again, Cho was made to drink Veritaserum so it wasn't really her fault. Poor Cho. Even though I don't like her cahracter in the books very much, I still feel sorry for her.

Come to think of it, maybe the ending was what left me hanging. I really expected Harry to be so angry and pissed and unreasonable after the incident at the Ministry. I guess it's another time constraint problem. I really can't see why they can't afford to add what, about 10 minutes to the movie. I mean, hello, Lord of the Rings ran for almost a full 3 hours. They didn't have problems. OotP was only on for about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Would it kill them to have it at 2 hours and 40 minutes? After all, they filmed a total of 4 hours or more, right? Anyway, the ending showed Dumbledore and Harry having a heart to heart talk. True, Harry was still mad, but it went over like he was just annoyed. I wanted him to be yelling at Dumbledore and destrying things and stuff like in the book. I mean, Dan can do that, easy. Maybe they didn't have stuff to smash... I mean, this is a very crucial moment, a moment that makes Dumbledore and Harry very human. In the book, this was the moment when Dumbledore, for the first time, was truly sad and sorry and Harry was kind of taken aback by that because he's never seen Dumbledore that way. In the movie, Dumbledore was like, stony. Stern. I really want Michael Gambon to have more emotion. Make him smile a bit! Dumbledore in the book does, even though the times are dark. Make him cry even, or even just sad. Hopefully in the sixth movie he does the death scene well.

The MoM incident was fantastic though. I didn't expect the ghostly swooping entrances from the Death Eaters and the Order. That was such a cool thing. And the duel between Voldy and Dumbly was awesome too. Voldy is just plain creepy. When he possessed Harry, Harry looked like a zombie. That moment really tugged at me and that's when I cried, when Harry was having those flashbacks. I don't know, I cried not only because Sirius died. I guess it's also because I'm proud of Harry. I'm proud of him because he chose to be on the good side even though he has the power to be on the bad side. I also cried because those flashbacks showed how much he's gone through, and how much Ron and Hermione have gone through with him. It's been a long time, and I feel like I've gone through the same things. I've watched them grow and get hurt and I get hurt with them. And the looming release of the final book of the series added to that feeling...

What will life be after Harry Potter?

I felt really awful that day. It's just everything. I know it sounds weird bordering on absurd that I am this much affected by just some books, but like what Emerson Spartz said in Mugglenet's book, those outside the fandom do not understand. I've been a fan since I was 13. It's been seven years. Having something as a part of your life for seven years is not something that can be easily forgotten. It's not something that I can easily get over.

I feel really lonely too. Because none of my friends, even my family members, really know how I feel. I mean, I try to make them understand, but they just can't. Ever since I was a little girl, I had this fascination with the moon, witches, ghosts and goblins. Halloween is even my second favorite holiday, although we don't celebrate it with trick or treats here. That's one of my most dreamed of thing, to be able to go trick or treating. But hey, I'm way overage now. It sucks. Even before I discovered Harry, I already loved his world. My first fiction book that I asked my mom to buy me was the Halloween Party of Sweet Valley Kids. After that, I got hooked with Goosebumps and Fear Street. When I was 11, I even drew witches and jack-o-lanterns and a skeleton and cut them out and tapes them to my ceiling and my wall. I played spooky music all night. They looked at me funny though, because I was celebrating Halloween by myself that day.

Then I met Harry, and it was like I found home. I knew I belonged there. It's kind of painful to know that I'll never go to Hogwarts. I never got my letter. But maybe I did. Maybe by feeling this way, I was really there. I'm part of that world. And I love it.

Umbridge's Office

Found another one! Thanks to Mugglenet.com, I got to look around Professor Umbridge's really really extremely completely pink and lacy office. I have to admit, one of those sofas seem quite comfortable. It's a pretty nice room. I do like pink, but not that much pink. The design is okay, (if only they cut back on laces by half) and better if it's in another color. I mean, different colors. For people who absolutely love pink, I think they'd like this room. Except the cat plates. Kinda weird but looks okay from afar. Check it out here. :)

I wonder if they're gonna make one of the room of requirements or the prophecy room. oooh, exciting! I hope they make one for Dumbledore's office and the Great Hall and all the other prominent HP rooms.

July is Harry Potter Month! 2007 is Harry Potter Year!

It's about time you hear something about Harry Potter from me. The fifth movie, Order of the Phoenix, is only three weeks away and the last book, the Deathly Hallows, is only a month away. July is Harry Potter month. I am so glad that I was born in July. Really, this is the first time I'm this grateful for being a July baby and a Leo. I have finally found a meaning of my life. Harry Potter was also born in July! Only 3 days after my day!

Okay, I did sound moronic there. But whatever. I am excited and no one can stop me from losing my mind.

What makes me sad and bitter is that my brother gets to go to London this July and I can't go with him because I've got school. I'm really happy for him because he gets to properly graduate at last. The ceremony is going to be held in Scotland so he has to travel miles. Isn't that cool or what? An excuse to go travel! He gets to spend about a little over a week there. He'd be there in time for the movie release. I told him to pay attention if he passes big crowds. J.K. Rowling might be there! Or one of the Potter stars. I admire them too. But I really really want to have one of my HP books signed by Mrs. Rowling. I'd die happy after that. He might still be there in time for the book release. I'm not sure though. He's going to go to Hong Kong too. But if I were him, I'd spend all my time in the UK. I mean, how many times has he gone to HK anyway? About 4 or 5! And a lot more times in the future! Now, a UK trip is just a once in a lifetime thing. I really want to go now that I have a really important reason to go. I mean, Harry Potter is ending. And I'm a fan of the book, although seeing a movie's premier is also on my list. I don't want to beg my dad to let me go now because one thing, there's school and late July is midterm week. Also, it's too expensive. My brother's trip alone costs an arm and a leg. Dad can't afford both of us right now when he's still recovering from paying my tuition for the first semester. So he promised me that when I graduate, we will definitely go to London. But I'll be graduating on 2009. I don't think there's gonna be any Harry Potter event then, unless the 7th movie is that easy to make. No. I think the 7th movie will be released on 2010. So I am definitely going to hold off the trip until then. I'd be 23. Oh God.

I can't believe I'm thinking this, but this is the first time I wished I were older. Okay, when I was a pre-teen I wished I were older. When I hit 17, I stopped celebrating my birthday. Kidding. Now I wish I were 2 years older so that I won't have classes now and I'd be working already so i'd have the money and time to go to London. Argh.

Right now. the only thing I'm really thankful for is my not having Saturday classes. I can go to the book release and party! Unless a professor schedules an exam or a field trip of some sort on that day. I would really really be pissed. Really. I'd even cry, if I can't get out of it without flunking the subject.

So anyway, enough of this ranting. I found a couple of Harry Potter stuff over at Mugglenet.com. One is a 3D of 12 Grimmauld Place, the ancestral home of Sirius Black. It only shows the dining area but it's really awesome. Check it out here.

This other thing is an article of the speculation of Harry's fate in book 7. Will he die or not? I found this tip to parents very amusing. It's a tip for them on how to help their children cope if Harry dies. At first I was like, what the hell? Then I remembered how I felt when Sirius and Dumbledore died. I better print that out and give it to my parents. And warn them to hide any rope or sharp objects too. Check it out here.

Okay, that's all for now. I'd be back probably after seeing the 5th movie. Lol! :)

And So Everything Led to This...

The baby is now a guy with a pony...and a babe with a hot body.

Tears of Joy

When I saw this video (even the shorter one), I discovered that tears of joy truly do exist. The wait is unbearable...I just hope it's worth it. Well, Harry Potter is always worth it. :)

Harry Becomes A Man

And the whole cast, too, actually.

I haven't been updated with Harry news for some time now. Been busy with school. I've been primed by an email from Mugglenet to go visit that world that I leave behind when I choose to live in reality. So I went to Mugglenet, and found a whole lot of new Order of the Phoenix photos.

I've seen a few in the past months, stolen shots here and there. But these official hi-res photos reveal the fact that the kids (okay, I'm not too old. I'm the same age as the guy that plays Malfoy!) are growing up fast. There's a re-run of Sorcerer's Stone last night on a local channel (because it's Halloween season). Remembering their innocent faces in that film, it's amazing how much they've matured over the years. I've literally watched them grow up, and even grow up with them.

The Weasley twins are so manly now that it's kind of hard to believe that they're supposed to play seventeen or eighteen year-olds. Still, their wacky antics are perfect for the characters. Hermione has grown beautifully. Neville's weight loss can't be denied anymore. Ron seemed to have been stretched vertically. Basically everybody's grown taller! Dan's, on the other hand, most noticeable change for me is his face. Really. He really looks like a man now (okay, almost). He used to have chubby cheeks back in SS and now...just take a look at these pictures. (Click them to view larger version)



Luna Lovegood is pretty, too. :)

Here's Umbridge in her creepy little pink office...


Three more movies to go, and only a book left to wait for...then all of this will end. Harry Potter will be over. I'm not saying that the fandom will die. No. I will forever be a fan, and so will millions of people out there. I'm just sad that there'll be nothing to look forward to anymore. What will Mugglenet do now? What will the HP Sleuths analyze?

It's hard to see the end, harder to get over it, too. I've been living in the Potter world for six years already. And I can really say that I grew up with Harry Potter. I've found my home in Hogwarts, a home where I'm just like everyone else, not some wackjob who believes in witches and flying brooms and magic. I really wish I lived there, you know? Even though there's Voldemort - the epitome of evil - residing there, I'd still take it. At least they only have one, unlike over here in reality, there are several Voldemorts who don't care about anyone else but having power.

Social Life At Hogwarts

Social Life at Hogwarts

Your friends love you. You aren't well-known around the school, just within your house. You are very outgoing and love to have fun. You get decent marks in class and play quidditch.

Harry: Doesn't know you very well, but thinks your nice and funny.

Ron: Thinks your a good person and wishes he was as good in Quidditch as you.

Hermione: She thinks you should think more about your grades, but thinks you are still a good role-model.

Ginny: Thinks you are the perfect role-model and hopes she'll be like you, which means she wants to have guy friends like you.

Neville: Doesn't talk to you because you are older than him and are kind of intimidating.

Fred and George: Fred thinks you are a great prankster partner and George has a crush on you. They love that you always help them with their pranks.

Oliver Wood: Has a huge crush on you, probably because you are just as quidditch obsessed as he is.

Cedric Diggory: Thinks you were a great quidditch player and thanked you profusely (before he died) for setting him up with Cho.

Cho Chang: She is like your younger sister. You watch over her and you were the one who set her up with Cedric. She adores you and will miss you when you graduate.

Lavender Brown: Doesn't know you very well. Doesn't talk to you either.

Draco Malfoy: Only knows your name and hates you for always kicking his arse in quidditch.

Pansy: Doesn't know you.

Crabbe and Goyle: Same as Pansy

Dumbledore: Thinks you are a very bright witch.

McGonagall: You are the apple of her eye. You are excellent in Transfiguration.

Hagrid: Likes you because you are nice to him.

Snape: Hates you. You suck at potions and he doesn't let you forget it.

Voldemort: Doesn't think of you as a threat or possible ally. Doesn't care about you at all.

Reputation: The Quidditch Girl.
Take this quiz

This is the first result that I got on this quiz. It's the same one as Joyce's, which is a good thing, because I'd love to be the Quidditch Girl (and Oliver Wood's crush, yipee!) But I went back and took the quiz again, just to see what I would've gotten if I chose the first choices that I would've picked, you know, the ones which I automatically select. The things I picked in this result were well thought over.

Social Life at Hogwarts

Everyone, except the Slytherins, like you. You are friendly, nice, and a well-rounded person. Your studies aren't that important, but you pull of decent grades. You live your life with risks and don't think about the consequences. Friends mean a lot to you. Your friends love you because you are always the one who they can talk to.

Harry: He is in love with you. You're the one he wants to be with forever. He's tried to push you away, but you refused to leave him. Despite the danger that comes with being his girlfriend, he's too smitten with you to let you go and is glad you are willing to face the danger to be with him.

Ron: He loves you as a little sister. He admits to having a crush on you before, but has stronger feelings for Hermione. He acts as an older brother to you.

Hermione: She is one of your best gal pals. She always scolds you for not doing the best in your studies, but she is your friend just the same. She's very happy for you and Harry. She secretly has a crush on Ron, but she won't admit it. And neither will he. You're the one who's going to put them together.

Ginny: She secretly hates you. You stole Harry and one of her older brothers too. She knows she's overreacting, but she doesn't care. She hates you and shows it when no one is around. But when someone is around she acts like the sweetest little girl.

Neville: Thinks you are great and has a crush on you, but he's too shy to do anything. Plus, you're with Harry now.

Fred and George: They love you. As a friend though. You're one of the few priviledged people who get to help them with their pranks. They are glad you are with Harry, but sort of wish you ended up with Ron instead.

Oliver Wood: He knows you, but doesn't really talk to you. All he knows is that you are Harry's girlfriend.

Cedric Diggory: Him, like Oliver Wood, knows you, but doesn't talk to you. Or should I say he knew you. That is before he died.

Cho Chang: She is slightly jealous of your relationship with Harry. Cedric died and she was left alone, and her and Harry didn't work out either. She is nice to you, but doesn't really like or hate you.

Lavender Brown: She doesn't like you because she thinks Ron likes you more than a friend. She hates Hermione more than you though, if that helps?

Draco Malfoy: He doesn't like you at all. You seem like a goody-two-shoes to him. He dislikes you even more because you're Potter's girlfriend. All in all, he doesn't talk to you or have any contact with you whatsoever.

Pansy: Doesn't talk to you and hates you. Period.

Crabbe and Goyle: Don't know you.

Dumbledore: He likes you and thinks you are strong-willed and perfect for Harry.

McGonagall: She thinks your an average skilled witch, she doesn't really notice you that much.

Hagrid: He adores you and constantly invites you to help him with his creatures. He loves that you and Harry are together.

Snape: He hates you. Loathes you. Despises you. He thinks you are very poor skilled and dislikes you even more for being Harry's girlfriend. He loves taking points away from you.

Voldemort: You are on his list of people to kill. You make the top 5. Not exactly a good thing, but what'd you expect being Harry's girlfriend and all.

Reputation: Harry's Girlfriend.
Take this quiz!

This is the result that I got 3 out of 4 times that I re-took the quiz. Like in multiple choices in exams, I read the question and then have an instant answer. And then later, after thinking the answers through a LOT and battling myslef over for it, I change it, just to find out later that my initial answer was correct. This happens to me 90% of the time. Lesson learned: follow your gut instinct in answering. So I did that this time around in this quiz: followed my initial instinct, the first thing I would've chosen. This is what I got.

I don't really like it. Haha! Harry's girlfriend?! I'd rather be known as the cool Quidditch girl who'll eventually hook up with Oliver Wood than merely as Harry's Girlfriend who'll probably be killed by Voldy, or at least lose an arm along the way. Besides, being the Quidditch girl has more attitude.

On Potter... (I get it. Stop yawning.)

I was going through blogs awhile ago (trying to score points...) and was getting really drowsy when I stumbled over one with a post titled Damn That Potter . Of course, addicted as I am, it immediately caught my attention.

What did Harry do again?

I thought it was another one of those hatemongers' rambles against Harry. I was pleasantly surprise, and relieved, that the author was actually frustrated with being branded as "childish" or someone with "no intellect" because of reading and liking the Harry Potter books.

True, true, the books were initially aimed at children, but that doesn't mean adults are restricted from reading, nor liking, them. They are good books: very well written and contain multiple levels. As I explained on an earlier post (just dig around somewhere, I know I've mentioned this) some people can read it on one level - that is, the very shallow one. Just Harry and the magical world. On other levels, you can read the emotional development of the characters. You can actually delve into their psyche, especially Harry's, who is a very round and well-developed character. If you dig deeper, you can also read it in the light of politics (the Ministry of Magic is very similar to real-life governments).

Just because it is under the children's section doesn't mean the book is stupid. At least it's not just about some teenagers stressing about what color of dress they'd wear for the prom or if their crush would ask them out. I do read those kind of books when my brain is too numb to think. But Harry Potter books aren't just for passive reading. It gets you involved. It makes you feel. Every word transports you to that magical world, and it places you smack in the middle of the goings-on of Harry's life. There are aspects in the HP books that are too complicated for children to fathom. For example, Harry's battle with himself, his emotions, what Dumbledore is trying to say to him, to accept his fate and his impending doom. These things can be read in a simplistic manner, like the wicked with in Snow White, that kind of evil. But as adults, if you read this kind of struggle as a simple fairytale-wicked-witch-versus-princess kind of struggle, then the books aren't the problem. YOU ARE. You have too simple a mind to actually get a deeper reading of it.

A lot of adults, if put in Harry's place, wouldn't even be able to handle it. A lot of suicides would probably take place if ever. So for those snobs, to brand HP as "childish" and "stupid" is just the same as saying that you yourselves are childish and stupid. Give it a try, why don't you. If you're that much of a genius like you think you are (which, by the way, would probably mean that you have Narcissism as your personality disorder), you've got nothing to lose. Stop dissing and start reading.

Hatemongers....Hatemongers......Hatemongers MUST DIE!!! Hatemongers....Hatemongers....Hatemongers MUST DIE!!!

HP+Theo

Theo class ended only ten minutes ago. Yes, I got a hold of a computer right away.

I wasn't really paying attention to his explanations. I was too busy brooding over the quiz we just had. It was open notes, and I only got 4 out of 5. The answer to the last question was right at my face but I still didn't get it! How pathetic am I?! I'm actually flunking that subject, and I'm hating myself for it. Kahit D man lang... Shemay talaga!!! ARGH!!!

Anyway, ayoko nang problemahin yan. Baka mapatay ko lang sarili ko. I computed, and 69.8 ang labas. Leche.

The only thing that caught my attention of his long rambling was this sentence: "If you were asked to pick a power in the world, the best one to pick is the power of love."

The power of love...

Yes, it's the title of a song, but I'm not gonna talk about that. (I don't really like the song very much)

If you read Harry Potter, or even bothered to go see the movies, this line would be very familiar. In the fifth book, they were talking about a room in the Department of Mysteries which had a locked door that couldn't be picked. It was said that within that room lies the greatest "weapon" of all. Tying it up with the prophecy:

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to
those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the
Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows
not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while
the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be
born as the seventh month dies ..."

The "power the Dark Lord knows not" refers to - what else - LOVE. As Dumbledore have so many times said to Harry, this is what protected him from Voldy that day his parents got murdered. It's what kept him safe all these years, kept him from being possessed too long, and this will eventually be the greatest power he will have over Voldemort.

What's the point of me saying this? Well, for all those losers out there who say that Harry Potter is satanic and evil... IN YOUR FACE. HP books revolve around LOVE. We are saved because of Jesus' LOVE, that's why He died for us. Now how can you say that HP is evil???

My advice: Read the books and take Theo 121.

Happy Birthday Harry and J.K.Rowling!

Born as the seventh month dies...

It's the 31st of July, the last day of the seventh month of the year. As the prophecy indicated, it's Harry's birthday (the fictional character, not Dan)!!! Well, it also meant Neville, who had his birthday two days ago, July 29!!! Yey! I just wanna greet the both of them a happy happy birthday! (If they're still alive, that is.)

And of course, my personal hero, J.K. Rowling (rhymes with bowling) turns 41 today. Wish you all the best, Jo! You deserve it for coming up with the best books ever!!!

One year and nine days ago...

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released.

It was a Saturday, and I was at home in all giddiness, waiting for the delivery of my copy. I regretted having it delivered because it took the delivery guy until 1 PM and I missed all the joys of the release party. Still, when I got the book, I ran stright to my room and spent two days lying on my bed with my nose buried in HBP.

Well...what's with all this reminiscing? Nothing. I just want to announce that HBP's paperback version has been released weeks ago here in the Philippines. It's around 400 pesos so go buy now!!!

OotP the movie, as Mugglenet said, would be released next year on July 15th. Can't wait!!!

Ninth Day of Christmas

I'm writing Christmas cards tonight. Tons of it!

I feel like an elf. :(

But I love writing, so that's okay! I'm just scared that I won't be able to finish everything by Monday, with 3 more papers to submit and all...

But... GOOD NEWS!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is shortlisted for an Oscar on Best Visual Effects!

and

"Do the Hippogriff" is longlisted for Best Original Song for a Montion Picture.

I'm sooo excited for them! It's time they win an award, they deserve it! They've got tough competition though (King Kong and Narnia) but I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!!

So for today, here's my list:

J.K. Rowling - writer of the best series ever (no matter what anybody says!)
Harry Potter books - my home
Harry Potter movies - they make me have something to look forward to!
The cast and crew of HP movies - great job guys, right from the start!
HP merchandise - they help me show that I'm proud to be a HP fan!
Warner Brothers - for making my world come to life
Pancit Canton - yummy!
Cooking Shows - although they make me constantly hungry, I still love watching them.
Text messaging - a simple way of showing care :)
Snail Mail - for me, this is a more special way of letting someone know that you care. it takes more time, it means more love. :)
Christmas Carols - I just love listening to them... makes me tingle and warm all over!
The Rat Pack - best singers of all time...their Christmas album is wonderful!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Movie

One word:

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saw it yesterday. Still can't get it out of my head. I sit and stare into space the whole day today. The movie was just so good. Excuse the few stuff changed from the book and the movie would've lived up to my imagination of my fave book.

VIKTOR KRUM was so HOT!

CEDRIC was so CUTE!

MIKE NEWELL THE KING!!!

P.S. : I just didn't expect Mad-eye Moody to be uhm...full figured.

Better Days

Yep, there's always the r a i n b o w after the rain.

From being totally down on the dirt from the last post, I'm actually quite happy today! I hope it goes on throughout the day though.

But anyway, why am I happy? First of all...HP GoF is 6 days away!!! And I've got reservations! Not premiers though, but heck, it's still on the 16th so it'll still be the opening day. If only I could cut classes.

What really made me happy was... Yesterday, during enrollment, I ran into G. Javs in the line to the cashier. He was going to DLSU after, to be with the guys during U-break. I thought I had doctor's appointment, so I said I'll just drop by with him for a quick chat. And so after rushing to the ID validation, we traversed the long long distance from Katips to Taft. Around 1:17pm, G and I got off the car and precariously crossed the busy street of Taft to Munch Gulp, where my long-time-no-see friends were hanging out.

Ah, it was like heaven seeing them for the first time in months. Yep, that's right. MONTHS. Before, we're already withered with grief when we don't see each other for a few days or weeks. Now, yeah, months. I hope it doesn't turn to years! So there, shrill sounds of excitement escaped from us when we got together. We hugged, chatted and of course, took pics! There were a lot of things to catch up on, but we didn't get to because others had to leave early for class and stuff. So we went forth to what's-it's-name, a "hang out place" for them during extended break times. We got beer! Yeah! At 2pm! G and I even forgot that we haven't eaten anything yet and we had beer. Well, a couple of sips only. No harm done!

The most fun part was when we did karaoke!!! Singing along to beautiful songs with bad musical arrangements is so much fun. First of all, nobody cares if you suck because it's too noisy to point out which one was doing the song justice and which one was like fingernails on a chalkboard. I had loads of fun! In my school, when I had 2-hour breaks, I slept in the library. There's nothing to do on campus except rot infront of a computer. Off campus, well, that's another world. It's like, miles away. We need to ride a trike to get to McDo or Jabbee. If you walk, it's like having your week's workout needs done in a day.

So I say, it's more fun in Taft. The people who matter are there. Yeah I know that it's also good to make new friends. I mean, I do have new friends now, and it's nice. But for me, knowing a lot of people have its perks, like for connection and popularity purposes. But who needs a lot of people that will only be mere faces afterwards, when you have the handful of people that can be your everything for a whole lifetime?

Happy Halloween!!! (100th Post!!!)

There are two things that I'm celebrating right now:
Halloween...
And my 100th post! Yey! :)

Last night, around midnight, I was watching tv, trying to fall asleep when there was a faint knock. I thought someone was knocking on someone else's door, so I ignored it. I was watching NFL Football, and it's my first time to watch an actual game so... I was hooked. But I still couldn't understand the rules, etc.

Then, there was the knock again.

I thought of just telling the person that my brother's probably asleep already so he couldn't answer the door. I was on my way to my door when the knock became a bit louder and I realized it wasn't from my door or any of the neighboring doors---it was from my window.

I got irritated and kind of mad. This happened before, but not involving my windows. Some time ago, because our house is at the corner of the street and another street, a lot of people pass by here, including drunks. They used to frequent this area, and one time, they got to fighting and throwing beer bottles at each other, hitting the wall that surrounds our house. And that wall is right below my window.

So yeah, I thought there were drunks throwing beer bottles to my window. Or maybe they're psycho kids that are high and got hold of pebbles and threw them at my window. Hey, that also happened before.

So imagine the shock I got when I pushed aside my curtains.

It was HEDWIG!

She was hitting her beak against my window. A letter was tied to her right foot. It took another minute for me to return to my senses.

OH-MY-GAWD

Hedwig!

So I hastily opened my window and she swiftly swooped inside. She landed on my bed and hooted, annoyed at me because I took so long to let her in. I said I was sorry and removed the letter from her leg. Then I disappeared to nowhere, and brought back a cup of water for her to drink a minute later.

The envelope had my name on it. Seriously. As in quill-written name. And it was parchment. Seriously.

It went like this:

Dear Tep,

Hey. How are you? So, Ron and I were wondering if we could hang out there tomorrow? Or is it today? What time is it there? I'm kinda confused with the time difference and everything. We just want to be somewhere other that here on Halloween, and your place is pretty exciting, so if it's ok with you...

Please???

Hermione and Ginny are coming too.
And I have a surprise for you.
You'll see... :)
So send me your reply A.S.A.P., 'coz we want to get there before dusk.

Harry

So there. It's all so weird!!! And yet, so exciting!!! They just arrived a couple of hours ago. Lucky that nights are longer than days this time of year so sunrise is later than usual. They're here, sleeping, so tired because of the long flight. Harry says my surprise will arrive later.

What do you think that is???

Anyways...

TRICK OR TREAT!!!!!