Paco's Story

Paco's Story

By Larry Heinemann

Publisher: Vintage
Published: 2005
ISBN-13: 9781400076833
224 pages

Page 3, Chapter 1, The First Clean Fact: Let's begin with the first clean fact, James: This ain't no war story. War stories are out--one, two , three, and a heave-ho, into the lake you go with all the other alewife and foamy harbor scum. But isn't it a pity. All those crinkly, soggy sorts of laid-by tellings crowded together as thick and pitiful as street cobbles, floating mushy bellied up, like so much moldy shag rug (dead as rusty-ass doornails and smelling so peculiar and un-Christian). Just isn't it a pity, because here and there and yonder among the corpses are some prize-winning, leg-pulling daisies--some real pop-in-the-oven muffins, so to speak, some real softly lobbed, easy-out line drives.

I've been following Sandy Nawrot's participation of Paco's Story Read-along and couldn't resist reading the book myself. I ordered it from Book Depository (at the top left-hand corner, that's the cover of the book I bought) and when I received it in the mail, I jumped in straight away. Almost immediately I'm being blown away by its language and slang. Never have I read a war novel that shocked me into the reality of its brutality. Instead of a regular book review, I have decided to use the read-a-long format and let the discussion questions form the picture.

WEEK 1
(Chapters 1 and 2)

1. Who do you think the narrator is?
   At this point, I still do not know. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clearer. Please see my answer for Week 3, Question 1. An interesting point is that the narrator tells Paco's story to James but James is not a character in the story. Heinemann explains this: The "James" comes from a custom of street folks engaging total strangers by calling them "Him" or "Jack" or sometimes "Jake" in a jivey sort of way [...]. It is like sharing a story across a kitchen table, etc. While this is explained in my edition, I read that in some other editions it was not.
   
   
2. What do the opening paragraphs of Chapter 1 tell you about the narrator?
   They are filled with slang and "hard" dialogue. The narrator makes it clear that he is one of the grunts. The language is certainly not kid-friendly and is abundant with swearing. I tried to be in his shoes and followed his story that way.
   
   
3. How do you think Paco’s survival impacted the medic’s world view? And how did that change the medic?
   The medic couldn't stomach what had happened to Paco. You see, Paco is the only one they found alive an was in a terrible, terrible condition, they wished he was dead. Being a medic, he had seen so many dead bodies and soon-will-be-dead ones after they are rescued. Why would Paco be any different? Paco's survival is a miracle.
   
   
4. Is Paco’s Story narrated in a way that is “too” honest?
   I like it the way it is presented. Paco's Story shocked me; "slapped" me right, left and center; disgusted me; made me cry (when he talks about his father and the Army medals); everything about this book touches me. It is harsh and graphic. Dark and disturbing. It gives me a realization that all the people in this book, they have a story.
   

WEEK 2
(Chapters 3 and 4)

1. Do you think Paco is ready to rejoin the living and will he easily re-enter “normal” life?
   Try going through what he has gone through and then answer this question. I think it will never be "normal" for him anymore. Not in this life.
   
   
2. How do you think the lively atmosphere of Rita’s Tender Tap affects Paco?
   He is a man of few words and he is very direct when he speaks. He has a mission when he steps foot into Rita's Tender Tap and that is to look for a job and a place to stay. He may feel self-conscious with his physical condition holding a cane, limping, and all. But I felt that he is letting of all that go and focuses on his mission.
   
   
3. Do you think Heinemann made the right choice in narrator, or do you believe Paco should be telling his own story?
   I like how it is done in the book. It feels like an observation and it's refreshing to have someone else tells Paco's story. It might feel different if Paco were to tell his own story, but then you see, Paco doesn't want to talk about it.
   
   
4. Do you think the side stories about the medic who found Paco, the bus driver, and Mr. Elliot, etc., add to the narrative or take too much attention away from Paco, who seems to hide in the background during these asides?
   My answer is no. It is interesting to see what goes on in the thoughts of these people or how their lives are affected by it. They add to the story. I'm going to parrot Sandy in this because that's what I was thinking too. Here's what Sandy said: "In Mr. Elliot, we see a man damaged by his own wars and ghosts, and didn't even recognize the existence of the Vietnam War. The bus driver saw Paco as one in thousands that pass before his eyes in a year's time. The owner of the diner, on the other hand, was a Marine and saw in Paco a brother. Each of these characters represents everyman." Well said, my friend.
   
   
5. How do you feel about Paco at this point in the book?
   I feel sorry for Paco, and here he is wounded in war and having difficulties trying to stay afloat in his own country. But I also admire his tenacity and determination.
   
   

WEEK 3
(Chapter 5)

1. Is the identity of the narrator becoming more clear?
   It wasn't clear to me at the beginning of the book and I carried that big question with me until I've reached this chapter. It is not until page 136 of the book that it dawned on me that it is the ghost of of a soldier or their ghosts in Paco's unit. Check out these passages:
   

   "Not in all the hours that he lay terribly wounded--the rest of us long gone, Paco as good as left for dead--did he ask."
   
   "No James, Paco has never asked, Why me? It is we--the ghosts, the dead--who ask, Why him?
   
   So Paco was made to dream and remember, and we make it happen in this way, particularly on those nights when his work--washing the last of the dishes, clearing up and stowing down after closing--goes particularly well [...]. It is at those moments that is least wary, most receptive and dreamy. So we bestir and descend. We hover around him like an aura [...]."
   

2. What is it about the work at the Texas Lunch that makes it so easy for Paco to assimilate?
   

   "The process is straightforward and mechanical, James, all arms and back, side-stepping and skipping--Paco leaning over the washtub, slopping garbage and burning-hot soapy bleach water on his T-shirt and doubled-up apron; his fingernails are white with grease and his face squinched up and one eye squeezed shut because of the cigarette he keeps in his lips. First the breakfast dishes (often every dish in the place) and some of the pots and pans, then catch up all afternoon (Paco coming to know many of the dishes and much of the cookware as individual objects--on sight; knowing that he washes some things five or six times a day)."

   Paco does his job in a predictable, methodical manner, just like in the military. He knows precisely what to expect in his job, what to do when his day starts and how his day will end. I'm glad that Ernest Monroe, the owner of Texas Lunch and former World War II Guadalcanal Marine who also fought on Iwo Jima, gave him the job. He seems to know that the day Paco steps into his restaurant, it is more than just to get lunch. A warrior knows what a warrior needs.
   
   
3. What is the purpose of the dream sequences?
   Actually, I am not sure why the dreams are there. Maybe the ghosts of his fallen comrades want him to remember what had happened. Paco seems happy and contented, and it is during those times that the ghosts give him those dreams. There are parts that give me the creeps, so try to imagine this:
   

   "We come to stand behind him against the wall--we ghosts as flat and pale as a night-light, easy on the eyes. We reach out as one and begin to massage the top of his head; his scalp cringes and tingles. We work our way down the warm curve of his neck--so soothing and slack--and apply ourselves most deeply to the solid meat back of his shoulders. And Paco always obliges us; [...], when Paco is all but asleep, that is the moment we whisper in his ear, and give him something to think about--a dream or a reverie."
   

   The dreams, they are not happy ones. They are dark dreams and I share the same thoughts as Sandy, his dreams are the true indication of his psyche. I noticed too that when I dream, my dreams (or nightmares) often reflect the state of my mind.
   
   
4. Why do you think Ernest and Jesse are so forthcoming with their war stories, but Paco is not?
   People react differently to various life events and it is no different with Paco. Some find it easy to share and are able to talk about it openly, but some prefer to keep tragedies to themselves. Paco is the sole survivor of the massacre that had befallen his unit at Fire Base Harriette in Vietnam. He was waiting to die after being out there in the sea of corpses and rotting flesh for two days. His body shattered, covered by flies and maggots. He now lives on daily ration of Librium and Valium. Now, you tell me if that was you and you would be able to talk about it.
   

WEEK 4
(Chapters 6 and 7)

1. What is the significance of the rape scene? How does it change your opinion of Paco?
   The rape scene is one nasty bit in the story. The Vietcong girl who had ambushed the 1st platoon's night listening post and shot two of them dead, was taken in by the third guy. She's now a prisoner and Gallagher, one of the guys in the unit, decides to do something to her. Not only Gallagher but the whole platoon takes turn to have a go at the girl. And then he finishes her off with his .357 Magnum. Would this rape have happened if the Vietcong girl had never ambushed the unit and get herself caught? I'm not saying that what Gallagher did was right, though.
   
   I wouldn't say that I am disappointed in Paco. I don't think Paco participated in the terrible act of violence against the girl. Yes, he observed it but I think there is nothing he can do. Think about it. Two of his guys were killed by this girl. He was in the company of men who were raging both mentally and hormonally. Even the Lieutenant who heard everything wasn't doing anything about it.
   
   
2. Cathy’s diary plays an integral role in Paco’s final decision. Why do you think it has such a drastic impact?
   Paco knows that Cathy has been observing him from her window when Paco's at work. Paco's attracted to her and maybe, just maybe, they could have something going. One day, the night after he heard the sexual escapade of Cathy with her boyfriend, he discovers that someone has been to his room when he comes home from work. The only person he could think off is Cathy and so he goes to Cathy's room the next day. That is when he finds her diary and reads it.
   
   Paco discovers though the diary that Cathy "was" attracted to him, but when she saw his scars and disabilities, her opinion of him changes. I dislike the way she writes about him in her diary. Paco then knows that there is nothing there for him in this town.
   
   
3. What are some of the similarities between Vietnam and Boone, Texas? Differences?
   I'm not sure how to answer this so I am going to skip this one. I will be researching more about this, though.
   
   
4. Were you satisfied with the ending? What are your overall impressions of the book?
   I had almost expected the same ending. When you are disabled and return wounded in the war as a veteran, your life almost always does not mean anything anymore. Looking for a job would be extremely difficult. Trying to survive is hardship. I hope what I have read from the websites of the U.S. Army and Veteran Affairs about caring for the veterans are true. I hope they truly care and are not just looking it and sounding good.
   
   This is a book that I will remember for a long time. I have only read about the heroic stuff and the good side, but not from the wounded soldiers themselves. Well, I have some sort of idea prior to this, but now it is frozen solid in my head. Reading stories like this make me rethink the harsh reality of being a soldier.
   
   Yes, I am satisfied with the ending. I hope Paco finds what he is looking for. Perhaps he would find someone who would love him for who and what he has become. I hope he stays strong. I wish for the best for him.

From the back cover: Paco Sullivan is the only man in Alpha Company to survive a cataclysmic Vietcong attack on Fire Base Harriette in Vietnam. Everyone else is annihilated. When a medic finally rescues him almost two days later, Paco is waiting to die, flies and maggots covering his burnt, shattered body. He winds up back in the U.S. with his legs full of pins, daily rations of Librium and Valium, and no sense of what to do next. One evening, on the trail of a rainstorm, he limps off a bus and into a small town of Boone, determined to find a real job and a real bed--but no matter how hard he works, nothing muffles the anguish in his mind and body. Brilliantly and vividly written, Paco's Story--winner of a National Book Award--plunges the reader into the violence and casual cruelty of the Vietnam War, and the ghostly aftermath that often dealt the harshest blows.

The Winners: Tattoo Shop Mysteries Series

Announcing the winners of...

*DRUM ROLL, please...*

(1) Darlyn
dArLyn & bOoKs

The name is randomly picked by random.org

(2) Kathleen
Boarding In My Forties

The name is randomly picked by random.org

CONGRATULATIONS, Darlyn and Kathleen! Random.org picked you as the winners! I will be getting in touch with both of you to obtain your mailing addresses. Many thanks to ALL who have participated!

Oh, by the way, Driven by Ink will be released on September 7 and I will be posting my book the day before. Stay tuned!

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Happy Independence Day, Malaysia!

Malaysia is a lovely country. It's not perfect, but it's great. This is one place where you can get all kinds of food: Malay, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Western, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and on and on. It's summer all year long with showers of blessing (and occasional flash floods in some areas, but still...). There is freedom. There is opportunity.

And I want to share an article I "hijacked" from the August issue of CLEO Magazine, Malaysia Edition. I nicked it (not word-for-word) in the spirit of Merdeka! celebration: 10 Things to Love About Malaysians.

#1 Everyone is related

Oh yes, we can go around calling perfect strangers "uncle" and "aunty" but we are in no way related to them. It is our term of endearment. I do that all the time. Whether it is kak (short for 'kakak'), or bang (short for 'abang'), or jie (older sister in Chinese), etc. we are an affectionate lot.

#2 Pull-table culture
When we hang out together but there is not enough space around one table, we merge two tables together! Nobody is ever left behind or left out.

#3 Opinionated (silently)

Malaysia is a multicultural society, yet we live in harmony. Malaysians are one of the most tolerant people you'll ever meet. But that does not mean we do not have any say, but we are a resourceful lot so if you'd only ask, we have some insightful feedback to share with you.

#4 Let's get loud
We are an enthusiastic lot and we can get quite passionate about what we talk about. Our facial expressions and--I love how CLEO puts this--epic hand gestures, makes us quite some storytellers and entertainers.

#5 "Have you eaten?"
Malaysians almost always ask this. In various languages, it sounds like this:

• In Malay: "Dah makan?"
• In Tamil: "Sapa de?"
• In Cantonese: "Sek bao mei?"
• In Hokkien: "Jia bah boi?"

Here are some of the photos I took in various places where food abound. They're all yummy Malaysian food (click on the pictures for related blog posts).

The Famous Penang char kuey teow (fried flat noodles)

Satay Kajang

My favorite nasi lemak
Delicious Malaysian desserts and kuih-muih

Ayam percik (Seasoned barbecued chicken)

#6 "Got discount ah?"
We love a good bargain. 'Nuf said.

#7 Mind your language
For emphasis, Malaysians end (almost) every sentence with the suffix "la" or "ar". For instance, a question: "Do you want something to drink?" should be replied with "No la". "Where did you go?" would be replied with "Nowhere ar." Also, Malaysian-English is often shorten or simplified.

#8 Go-getters
Count me as one of them. You want something? You work hard and work out the action plan to achieve your desire.

#9 Curiosity killed the cat?
We are simply observant and curious to see what's going on. That explains why a crowd form when there is a commotion in the mall, or when there's an accident on the road (people slow down to check it out even though it's none of their business).

#10 Ethnic Fridays
Since we are a multicultural nation, we celebrate our diversity by wearing traditional get-ups of various races. We are able to wear anything from an Indian Punjabi pantsuit to a Malay baju kurung.

Some of the above may ring true for non-Malaysians, but in each of the things listed above, there's something distinctively Malaysians. I wish all my Malaysian friends a HAPPY MERDEKA and enjoy the celebration!

Walkumentary: My Daily Walk from the Office to Home

I love walking! When I relocated to Penang two months ago (it's been two months already?!) for my new job, I realized that I could still continue my walking routine, so I did. Almost every day after work, I would walk home. During one of my walks, an idea came to me to "document" it. These are some of the snapshots I took using my iPhone while sweating my way home, but before that I'll throw in some tidbits about walking and its benefits throughout this post.

Article: You'd Rather Walk Than Drive
"Fit" people--defined as those who walk for about 30 minutes a day--are more likely to live longer than those who walk less, regardless of how much body fat they have, according to a recent study of 2,603 men and women. Similarly, overweight women can improve their heart health by adding just 10 minutes of activity to their daily routine, says recent research. So take a walk on your lunch hour, do laps around the field while your kid is at soccer practice--find ways to move a little more, every day.

(That's so true for me for I really do rather walk than drive.)

Let the walking begin!

It's very safe to walk within the premise where I work. There are pedestrian walkways and vehicles will stop whenever someone's crossing the road. I can be in my own little world as long as I am walking on these striped paths without the fear of being ran down by cars.

But once out of the place where I work and onto the main roads, the adventure begins but only for a short time. Once I cross this major busy road, I'll be OK for at least another 20 minutes when I walk in a housing area.
(Walk progress: 20% completed)

I discovered this route inside a housing area about a week ago. It's a lot better walking here than beside the main road and there is less traffic noise not to mention smoke from exhaust pipes.

I continue to discover small lanes within the same housing estate and decided to use them. If you wonder whether it is safe, I think it is. There are kids playing in front of their houses and residents relaxing there.
(Walk progress: 50% completed)

After about 30 minutes of walking right from the start, I will re-connect with my regular route. This is my favorite stretch because there are many trees.

Article: Walk Off 5 Times More Belly Fat
Pop quiz: Two women go walking. One finishes quickly; the other takes her time. They each burn about 400 calories. So who sheds more belly fat? The obvious answer: It's a tie. But a surprising new study shows that the one speed walking actually loses more.

I always like this part of the walk because the road is a lot wider and with less traffic. It's peaceful.
(Walk progress: 80% completed)

Article: Walk Off Belly Fat
You know walking workouts are great for your heart, legs, butt, and energy level. Here's a happy but little-known fact: It's also a great way to flatten your belly.

But then, all that ends in about 5 to 10 minutes...

After crossing the first half of the above, I have to wait to cross the second half. Good balancing work is required on this narrow divider. It can get quite unnerving when a large or several large vehicles such as buses and lorries zoom past. Feel the road "vibrate"...

When I reach this part of my walk, I'm 80% done. It's easier to cross it when the traffic light turns red and vehicles stop. Since the road is very narrow, I have to watch out for traffic from the opposite side.

I found another shortcut and cut through these houses or shops to avoid the narrow road (pic above) with hardly any space for walking. (Walk progress: 90% completed)

Another 10 minutes later, I'm home in my cozy apartment! HURRAH!

Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love

Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love: Relationship Repair in a Flash

By Nancy Dreyfus, Psy.D

Publisher: Tarcher
Published: 2009 (Spiral-bound)
ISBN-13: 9781585427703
304 pages

Introduction: The idea behind this book is rooted in a piece of basic common sense: no matter what form of strain in your relationship is taking--be it jumping down each other's throats, nit-picking, walking on eggshells or endlessly revisiting an ancient grievance--it will be near impossible to begin to solve your problems if the energy between you and your partner feels more 'unfriendly' than 'friendly'.

How true. Words (the way they are used or not used) can make or strain a relationship. Do we hammer our point home? Or do we be non-defensive and seek another way to connect? How do we react when we are feeling threatened? How do we seek to generate goodwill and restore intimacy? No relationship is without its challenges and this book is like a first-aid kit that seeks to go right to the heart of "feeling connected." The author, Nancy Dreyfus, Psy.D., is a veteran psychotherapist, and she did a fine job with this book explaining when, why and how to use the statements on the flashcards.

What is special about this book is its flashcards concept. The idea was inspired when the author was working with a particular couple (unrelenting wife versus emotionally withdrawn husband). As a last resort, the author scribbled on a scrap of paper, Talk to me like I'm someone you love! and gently instructed the husband to hold it up to his wife. She noticed things began to shift between the couple and a strikingly more mutual connection began emerging in front of everyone's eyes.

This is how the flashcard looks like in the spiral-bound book. There are more than 100 "flashcards for real life" that can be used immediately during a crisis, which I think is a wonderful relationship tool that is both unique and insightful.

I try picturing myself having to use the book "in the heat of the moment" and actually flash a card. Is it practical? I do not know until I am in that situation that warrants the use of a flashcard. But I suppose I could--judging from the type of crisis I am facing--think through the situation (the relationship is, after all, important to me), and seek direction by picking from the theme the book is organized by:

1. Shifting Gear
   The basic message here is that what is going on is not good, and one of you is asking for something different; transform something unattractive to something beautiful.
   
   
2. Setting Limits
   Think of this set of flashcards are interpersonal stop signs for intense times (heartbreakingly frustrating to rageful). It demonstrates that you are willing to demonstrate goodwill and straightforward vulnerability (which brings us to the next theme).
   
   
3. Feeling Vulnerable
   Think of it this way: As long as I stay in the self-protective mode, I will never really feel close to you or make it safe for you to feel close to me. Loosen the grip when your instinct is to protect yourself from the states that we were taught as undesirable. Be beautifully human. By wanting your special someone to recognize your vulnerability is wanting that person to see the real you.
   
   
4. Taking Responsibility
   This section helps us to be more aware of "how you are feeling" and "how I look to you," and also to examine the impact of our sub-wholesome behavior on our partners. Build love and trust.
   
   
5. Giving Information
   This section helps you to let your partner know how their stance is affecting you. This is the reverse of Section 4, and lets your partner look at themselves and their impact on you. If we leave things unspoken when they should be addressed, they make real intimacy close to impossible.
   
   
6. Getting Clarification
   Interestingly, there are two versions of your partner available to you--the real one and the one in your head. So ask pointed questions so that your partner can take some real responsibility for the vibes they are putting out. Example of flashcard, When you treat me this way, it feels like you don't respect me. Is that true?
   
   
7. Apologizing
   "Love means never having to say you're sorry" is crap. This section provides opportunities to take something that transpired between you and your partner that was petty, mean-spirited, hurtful or thoughtless, and turn the moment into something honorable. Example of flashcard, I'm sorry that I've been acting as if everything's all your fault.
   
   
8. Loving
   Here, I am going to quote the author directly because she articulated it well: "Love is all it's cracked up to be. There are times when nothing else will do but loving your partner and, and in the case of this book, letting them know that they are, indeed, loved by you." Example of flashcard, I love you. I hate fighting. Can't we just hug?
   
   
9. Making Up
   The happiest couple also fight, and sometimes frequently. The trick is to stay happy and the flashcards in this section are designed to "bring sparring or disconnected partners into a friendlier home-stretch." Example of flashcard, I want to hug you, and I'm not sure I am welcome. May I come closer? Now, the author did explain why this flashcard exists, because my first thought when I read this was, what? I need to ask for permission to hug? The author explained that this is not about negotiating for a hug, so I leave you to read the rest for yourself.
   

I took a very long time reading this book and frankly, the review is overdue. I am sorry for that but I do want to go through it properly because it is such an insightful read. It would be a sin to rush through it just for the sake of posting a review. Irregardless of your relationship status, whether you are single or attached, I recommend reading this book. It should be added into your personal library.

Note: I thank Lisa Roe of Online Publicist for sending me a copy of Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love: Relationship Repair in a Flash.

Related Post

Weekend Odds and Ends

In which Alice plays with her iPhone
The first thing I did when I finally had the time to spend with my new iPhone was to download apps. I downloaded a few photography apps last weekend and took a few snapshots while I was at home in Kuala Lumpur.

This is Cat studying (yes, she studies everywhere including on the bed). She didn't pose for this and I was just doing some random shooting and lomo-ed the pic.

This is another un-posed pic of Cat doing her assignment later on the same night. I was lying down on the floor and decided to do a retro for this one.

This is done using the Imikimi Photo Frame apps. I took a picture of Hiro the furkid and popped him into this frame. He has grown into a really BIG boy. My mom has been pampering him a little too well...

I did a few self-portraits for myself, too, but those pics are for my private collection. Haha! I like the lomo effects and did a magazine-like compilation or collage of all the ones I self-took.

In which Alice reflects on her fitness and workout
In a dinner outing with friends, I got my body fat analysis done and I'm happy to know that I got glowing results. Here's a brief overview of my readings:

Height: 170 cm; Weight: 55.7 kg
Notes: For my height, my ideal weight should be at least 60 kg but right now I'm weighing 55.7 kg so I'm slightly underweight. But let's take a look at the broader picture...

Body Fat: 20.9%
Notes: The ideal measurement for female is less than 25% and my body fat weight ideally should be 15 kg but right now it's at 11.6 kg (20.9% * 55.7 kg), which is 3.4 kg below my ideal. But, I'm still healthy considering that for women, the classification for "Fit" is between 20% and 25%. The athletic ones have below 20%, which I'm actually aiming for.

Skeletal Muscle: 30.6% (HURRAH!)
Note: The ideal measurement for female is >28%.

Body Mass Index, BMI: 19.3 (HURRAH!)
Note: The healthy measurement for Asians is between 18.5 and 22.9.

And last but not least, the biological aging measurement. I'm 33 but right now, all of the above readings concluded that my body now is 26 years old (HURRAH! And before this I do get comments from friends who met me for the first time thinking I'm around that age). The ideal reading was 28 years, but my body did even better by going below that to 26.

So, what do I do with all this information? Keep up my good work, of course! I love exercising and working out, and I will continue to do so. Which brings me to the next topic...


In which Alice discovers a new route for her walk home after work
I make it a point to walk home after work and it takes about 50 minutes of braving the traffic and brisk walking. It's a fairly straight forward route that is one straight line once I get out of the Free Trade Zone. On Friday, I discovered a more relaxing route inside a housing area. It's a lot better than walking beside the busy road (I absolutely dislike the traffic) and I can now enjoy my walk even more. I still have to cross several very busy roads, but it's now 80% relaxing walk instead of 80% stressful.


In which Alice becomes Cinderella performing routine apartment maintenance
It's time to clean house and I relished my time mopping, cleaning, wiping. The laundry's done too. The apartment is now once again squeaky clean and smelling great. The green tea scent is pleasing. I also restocked my fridge with my favorite beverages such as coffee, cappuccino-flavored soy milk, and juices. I walked to the nearest mini mart to do my shopping. Walking makes me happy, but the hot weather doesn't. Having said that, dry and hot is better than raining, so I shouldn't be complaining...

***

I hope you are enjoying your weekend too, my friends. I'm going back to visiting blogs and hope to accomplish my Mission Google Reader as well. Here's wishing you a happy (and productive) weekend!

Simple Woman's Daybook

I'm late! I'm late! But nevertheless, here's my post for this week's "edition" of the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Outside my window... I see the left Firefly wing. It was taken in total darkness as I was flying at night. The Firefly airplane is a cute one (I just had to use the word "cute" because it's really small and it's like a bus but with wings) and I like the plush leather seat. It's much more comfortable than Air Asia's, in my opinion. Do check out Firefly's fleet page if you want to know more about this little guy.

Unlike Air Asia that doesn't serve refreshments on board, but you can certainly purchase them, Firefly gives you a choice of either peanuts or crackers, and you get to pick from the two choices of drinks offered. I chose grapefruit last night.

I am listening to... some sentimental love songs. And the sound of the rain.

I am thinking... I am blessed.

I am thankful for... everything and everything.

I am wearing... myself out thinking thoughts in my head. There are just so much going on in there right now.

I am going... to flip through some magazines I bought today.

I am currently reading... Paco's Story by Larry Heinemann. Paco Sullivan is the sole survivor of an infantry company "pulverized to ash" in the Vietnam War. It's a book I discovered from a few of my favorite book blogger friends.

I am hoping... to get more sleep.

One of my favorite things... iPhone! I bought it about two weeks ago and only "played" with it last weekend. I'm so in love with it now, there's no turning back. It's gotta be iPhone all the way!

Few plans for the rest of the week... Make travel plans to the US because, dear friends, I AM COMING TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Have a great week ahead!