BLP Day 1: When Tadhana Began

(edited: 04/26/15 07:12 PM - because I remembered a few stuff I left out)

Disclaimer: I don't think I wrote everything down. Unfortunately.

I remember pacing back and forth, debating whether I should open my hotel door or not. I was hearing voices outside, introducing themselves after getting their snacks from room 910 (the room beside mine) and I suddenly felt the pressure to socialize. You see, I already got my snacks and going out was entirely up to me. And since I wasn’t really feeling up to it at the time, the sight of my bed and the thought of being alone was really tempting.

Then, I got a buzz from Karla. She was inviting me to her room where the others were staying. With that came another dilemma. I suddenly forgot how to deal with people and I felt like I might mess it up. (The struggle is real.)

From the morning I woke up to my arrival at the hotel, I had been feeling the tension building up.

Before I got to the hotel, I was at school first. I met up with my friends as they enrolled for summer classes, and then, I fixed all the last minute to-do’s for school and for the publication before rushing to my mom and sister who had to doll me up in less than ten minutes before the school van picked me up. Because I barely had enough time to get my things in order, I got to the van later than scheduled.

Basically, I was rushing around and I was running out of time all the time.

During the ride to ACCM, my mind wandered. I thought about the ninjas, the academic workload that would have to make up for when I return, him, LMagazine and the fear of not knowing enough business stuff. I slept to shush my thoughts but once I reached Makati, my nerves wouldn’t let me rest.

We got to AIM after driving through McDo for lunch. Apparently, ACCM was on the other side of the road so we had to go around once again. I was actually thankful for being lost because it ate the time I was supposed to use to talk to people. But after another round of going around, we got to the hotel and I checked in about 30 minutes early.

Ms. Jen helped me settle in but after a few minutes of small talk, she left to go back to school. After seeing her off, I went back to my room, where I cherished my time alone. I bumped into Mo on the way though, and being able to hold a conversation with him to me was an achievement already.

Anyway, I was enjoying my time alone, lying on the bed, watching videos until I sensed people already arriving. People arriving meant having to introduce myself to them. Introducing myself to them meant no more me time. (I know I am beginning to sound really anti-social by now but yeah…)

That leads me back to the dilemma of going to Karla’s room. I knew I couldn’t just barge in on my own. I resorted to PM-ing Rhoni, a friend I knew from the final interview, to ask her if she got her snacks and if she would be heading to 913 (Karla’s room) to bond. I was instantly drawn to PM her since she and I were friends on FB even before BLP week and we've chatted for quite a while. She told me she would be going up in a while so I waited for her.

The noise outside my room grew louder. More people were getting their snacks. For a while, I debated on whether or not I should meet Rhoni in my room or in 910. I was literally pacing back and forth, in front of my door, touching the door knob from time to time but not opening it. It was so funny that I even vblogged about the moment, whispering to the camera about what was happening to me, whispering since I didn’t want the people outside to hear me talking.

Eventually, I decided to open the door and thank heavens, Rhoni was outside. I joined her to 910. There, we saw Ms. Chet and a guy sitting on the bed, talking in the phone. I don't know about Rhoni but I swear, I thought the guy was an organizer. Turns out, he was actually a fellow delegate! And that my friends, is how I met Marc. 

Anyway, having a handful of snacks on her hands, I offered to help Rhoni bring her food down to her room. (I think we had an almost awkward miscommunication moment here. Or that might just be on my part. Hahaha.)

In the end, I waited for her in my room again as she kept the snacks before heading to 913 with the rest of the delegates.

When we got to 913, I was temporarily overwhelmed by the number of people I had to meet. I recognized a few familiar faces, Jude, Monica, Mo and Jade since I met them already during the final interview. I’m not sure if LJ was already there.

Hmm. Actually, I’m not totally sure of who was present since all that’s registering to me at the time was that I had to be friendly and there were so many people. Hahaha!

Anyway, I stuck around to the side, by the table. By then, I was beside Jade who initiated small talk. We talked about a common friend from DLSL and that helped me release the tension. Maybe I wasn’t so bad at talking.

(A/N: Just one quick clarification. I’m not really extremely shy. I just panic sometimes. Usually, after getting over my fears, I actually to quite well with people, as proven later in my BLP experience.)

After hanging around for a few minutes, the group decided to watch a movie. The movie that was picked was “That Thing Called Tadhana.” I already watched the film but I didn’t mind watching again since it was a cute-sy movie anyway.

All-throughout the film, I was standing… for the following reasons: 1) Initially, I just really wanted to stand, 2) When I got to the point that I wanted to sit down, I didn’t want to force myself into a spot, 3) It would be a hassle to squeeze myself in, 4) The spots available were near guys and being in a female-dominated course for more than three years where guys are rare species, I wasn’t comfortable with being too close to guys, and 5) It boiled down to being on the matter of pride that since I started standing, I should finish standing too.

Standing wasn’t really that big of a deal though since it allowed me to observe the group well, to see how they reacted to the film, which was nice since that was one way of getting to know them.

At the time, these were my impressions of people: 1) Since Karla and Sarah were on the bed, sitting comfortably, I deduced that they owned the room and that kind of made me think that they have really strong personalities and are confident enough to open doors to people that are practically strangers until of course, BLP began; 2) Mo is really friendly since he keeps talking to people and even if I don’t remember his course at the time, he seemed really techy since he and Justin were the ones setting up the “movie theater”; 3) When Marc arrived, if I’m not mistaken, he sat on Karla’s bed, beside Karla, and that made me think that he might be a touchy feely person; 4) When I first met Jade during the interview, he was really silent so it was actually refreshing to hear him say side comments while watching the movie; 5) Jude and Monica sat beside each other so they looked like chummies and 6) When more people came, I really didn’t dwell on my thoughts that much anymore.

Anyway, standing also allowed me to be the one to open the door for those who came after us, and having something consistent to do actually made me feel like I already belonged in the group.

When the movie was nearing the end, I started feeling for my key card. I placed my hands in my pocket and I realized that I lost it. Thinking I was sure that I brought it, I looked down on the floor to see if I dropped it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it so I just tried to keep it cool in my head, pretending that I wasn’t going to begin searching again once the lights go back on.

The movie ended and the make-shift theater we made reverted back into a hotel room.

There were still people who came after the movie. They were the delegates from Mindanao.

I was secretly searching for my key card when I overheard one of them asking about a roommate from 909. With that, I joined the conversation and asked if one of them was Eileen Velasco (that was the name of my roommate that I read off the list when I checked in). One girl from the group said yes and told me about how she forgot her key card inside the room. Thinking that that’s what might have happened to me too, I told her how I think I did the same thing.

We decided to go back to the receptionist at the lobby to get another key card. Then, we went back to 909 where, ta-dah, I found my key card on the floor.

After settling the forgotten key cards, my roomie and I talked. She told me how she prefers to be called Florence and how she came from Cagayan and I sort of introduced myself too. Then we hit it off, talking about our shyness, our struggle as introverts, our love for books, how we value quality art, our schools, our courses, our hopes for the future and a whole ton of stuff. For hours, I think we were just talking. But there were also moments of silence. Perhaps they were resting periods or something. But to me, the silence was okay and I didn’t really feel the need to fill it up. We just talked and kept quiet when we wanted to and the friendship didn’t feel forced.

It actually blew my mind how it was so easy to click with her. We were similar in a lot of ways and I was really happy to be roomed with her. In my head, I wondered if AmCham had a psychologist or something check the compatibility of the delegates before they roomed them together. I swear, it boggled my mind that I would find a person like her existing.

Anyway, after a while, we decided to go down since we heard noises outside the door. It wasn’t 7 PM yet, the supposed call time for dinner, but Flo had a gut-feel that people were already going to the lobby. Turns out she was right. We just didn’t get the message or something.

Down at the lobby, it was the first time that all 31 of us gathered together. For a moment, I was temporarily star struck. I mean, with me are 30 amazing people and I would be meeting them all, officially that night.

We walked to AmCham and that was the first night I walked down the streets of Makati. In my head, I relished the sights as if it would be the only time I’d pass by them. I didn’t even bother memorizing the path we went by (not knowing that I would be going there over and over again for the week.)

We got to the AmCham office and we sat around the tables joined together. I sat beside Rhoni and Flo originally but we accommodated those who came in late to sit beside us.

Before dinner, people from AmCham oriented us and gave us guidelines. We met Sir David and Ms. Leslie. They gave us an overview on BLP and what they expect from us. We also had the chance to introduce ourselves. Then, we were given copies of the Malaya newspaper and our BLP bags with freebies and shirts. Afterwards, we had dinner and then we went back to the hotel. I remember being warned to sleep early for the days ahead and I think I didn’t follow that and regretted it the morning after. Hahaha.

(Actually, now that I think about it, I remember watching the movie "Perfume" in 913. It was a gore-y kind of film, the kind I would not pick deliberately. But since I wanted to bond with the others, even if I didn't really like small talks and all that, I sat through the film. To prevent me from getting too shocked, I already googled the plot and the book that it was adapted from. Of course, the book was waaaay better and a ton more gross. Anywaaaay, we finished the movie by 1 AM. I think. And that time, I already sat on the floor. And that time, more people were there and most of us was on the floor and I tried not to mind that I was around guys.)

I think I didn’t really try to take in much of the night partially because I was overwhelmed that I was actually in BLP. That night was the night that it began to feel real and I didn’t even understand what I was doing there. I was the only communication student. I didn’t think business. And I didn’t exactly know how to fit in.

All those worries swam in my head. I didn’t know how to survive for ten days dealing with all of those thoughts. But maybe it was destiny that brought me there. After all, the me-getting-to-BLP process was a miracle in itself. (That’s another story).

I held on tightly to the idea that God must’ve wanted me in BLP. I just didn’t understand why yet.

Batch Tadhana BLP: Goodbyes have to start somewhere.

I can't believe I'm even attempting to write this. Right now. After just three days.

How do you tell people that they've changed you? How do you thank them with all you are until your gratefulness resonates in their head, so much that their ears are ringing? How do you make them believe that you will never forget them? How do you send your love from miles away just so they would remember that at one point in your lives you all felt strongly attached to each other?

I have given myself some time to let everything sink in. It's over.

I would no longer wake up, knocking on their doors, calling their phones to ask them to hurry to SGV or to the lobby. I would no longer wander through the corridors of ACCM at three in the morning, business plan in mind. I would no longer be sitting in the bus, singing "Weak" beside Rhoni as we gushed about things I am not allowed to write about here.

It has been an amazing ten days of my life and it still is hard to let everything be in the past, especially since that people I've been with are amazing and I feel like accepting that everything is over also means, in some way, saying goodbye to them. I don't want to say goodbye to them. (Clingy, I know.)

For the past few days, I admit that a cloud has settled over me. It's as if I don't want to accept the reality that I am back in Lipa, doing school works. Instead, I have been daydreaming of working, going all over the Philippines, meeting them whenever I wanted to because I could. And with that, I felt how taxing the distance was, because when I got a glimpse of all the 30 diverse personalities in BLP, I wanted to get to know each one more than time permitted.

Now, the cloud is slowly dissolving. I am beginning to fall back into the routine I was used to before the program. I have to be present in my present or else I would lose the grip on things I have worked hard for. I know that.

But, my fondness for batch Tadhana will never go away. They have been with me as I blossomed and they have taught me things they never know they did.

Like I said during the last night we were all together, I never expected to be attached to them. I have had my fair share of conferences and events and each time, I would walk away as if nothing really happened. I would have memories and lessons to keep, yes, but then, I could easily move on and revert back to the Pollen that had never ending to-do lists for school. With them, that doesn't even seem possible.

These people, from different corners of the Philippines, were there when I started believing in myself.

They didn't know it but I was actually never accepted leadership easily. I have always felt like I needed to lead so rarely did I feel like serving came from my own will. I wasn't confident that I could lead, that I could make a difference because I know that I never really did anything of great caliber. I always just did what I could.

Batch Tadhana challenged me. And being in that kind of environment, speaking up became an achievement in itself. With that, I realized that perhaps even in unlikely situations, I have a purpose. Perhaps I could be worthy to serve.

Also, since we came from different parts of the country, they gave me a bigger perspective on what it means to be a Filipino. The places I've been reading about in books are homes of some. The cultures I used to just study are manifested in real life. They opened my eyes to different realities and just by interacting with them, I am able to fill my heart with stories I could tell in the future.

They also made me realize that it was so easy to make friends. I mean, I could go with anyone and be able to strike a conversation with them. I could ask them questions. They could tell jokes or play mind games. We could go from talking about societal issues to poetry to crushes to our deepest personal insecurities. It was the string of conversations and sometimes, even the comfortable silence that follows it that made me realize that I would be really happy to be friends with them for the longest time. And I would be so honored if I would be in a class with them because the exchange of ideas we'd have would be mind blowing.

They taught me that in ten days, the people I dreaded to socialize with would be the same people I would make a Skype account for. Heart.

I'm just really thankful to have met them. They have become an inspiration to me and to several other people they have touched.

I am yet to recount our ten days. I still have to prepare myself to write them in the past tense. For now, I keep them a secret in my heart.

Batch Tadhana | BLP 2015 | Andrew photography

To Flo, my ever awesome roommate, you have been my only roommate ever and you have raised the bar so high up. I don't think anyone will ever measure up to you. Thank you for the comedic moments especially the almost non-stop conversation we had immediately after we met. Also, I really appreciated that you and I both appreciated being silent. It's like we get how we don't always have to talk. And I feel like in the ten days we were together, our routines are actually in sync and that amazes me. I'm just really happy to have met you. And P.S. we have to meet again because of your necklace.

To Rhoni, nope. Still not giving you a message here. (I still can't say iiiiiiiit. Might get all emotional.)

To Team Kubolusyon, you guys are amazing. You are really talented individuals and it has been so easy to be working with you. And even outside work, it was fun to just bond with you guys and ask you all those cute-sy questions and tell you all those hugot lines. And you have been the people I am closest to in BLP. And I'm really thankful that you are all a part of my life. And I love you all.

To everyone that keeps sending a GM, please don't stop. Getting texts from you guys makes me smile during random times of the day. It warms my heart. I'm so glad I'm not the only one overwhelmed by this separation anxiety.

To all the Batch Tadhana people reading this, thank you for being a part of my life. I don't even think this post is enough to show you that.
Some of you have been waiting for the things I will write from day to day and if you would allow me to write at my own time, I promise that I will try to give justice to how you have made an impact to me. I love you all! Bakit pa kasi tayo naghiwalay?

10 Signs I Like You

Recently, I've been spending a lot of time on my Tumblr dashboard, reading and reblogging posts. Majority of them include posts of links like "21 Signs You Have a Chance With Him" and "10 Signs of Love." I read those for fun, mentally counting the number of items that apply to me but not really believing them. And then, as I was walking home today, I thought of making my own list. This time, instead of writing vague general descriptions, I'll try to write realistic and specific ones.

So here it is, my friends, the 10 signs that I like you:

1. I'd be nice to you, a little too nice, but you probably won't notice because I'm making sure that I'm not too too nice to you. In my head, I'm calculating the amount of niceness I'd offer you because a) I don't want to be obvious, b) I don't want to be unfair to other people and c) refer to item a. But don't expect me to do your homework or anything (and if I like you, you're probably not that kind of guy anyway). I'll be the kind of nice person that cheers you on when you have something big to surmount or would offer you a solution when you don't see any. I'd be the person who would smile at you and tell you how much I believe in you (but not in a cheesy way). And yes, I'm like that to most of my friends and it'll be hard for you to distinguish any differences but you'll still know. You'll know because to them, I'm letting all my niceness go loose but I'm limiting it for you.
2. Looking at your eyes is a conscious effort. Whether I like your eyes or not, it's hard for me to look. I guess, when it comes to liking someone, my initial reflex is to stay away and watch from the sidelines. That's why having you so near and having to look at you straight on is difficult. But I know, I know. So as to not be obvious to you, I have to pretend that I could look at your eyes effortlessly just like I automatically look at the eyes of my other friends. But you'd know still. You just have to be really good at analyzing non-verbal communication to get this one. You should just notice how my body slightly relaxes when I look away.
3. I act different around you (but you won't know that because you don't know how I act when you're not around.) First, my voice changes. This is an obvious biological giveaway. Second, I'm always happy when you're there. Even when I'm stressed, you would not see me totally spacing out because I want to cherish the moments I have with you. Third, I am extra extra extra clingy to my friends. I'm a touchy person and most of those who know me or just see me can notice that. But when you're there, I would hold a friend's hand or hug them or just stick to them because heaven knows, I could not totally pretend that I'm not overwhelmed by your presence. Lastly, when we're walking in the same group, I'm careful to not always walk beside you but not too far from you. Again, I am happy to soak in your sunshine but I don't want to be too obvious. Plus, I believe that walking near you is blessing enough and that I don't need to walk with you side-by-side to complete my day. Oh please.
4. My friends tease me about you and despite my subtle-ness, this clue is a dead giveaway. Let's just say my friends can get too excited sometimes and not all of them are great actors. I promise you, even if I deny the obvious and claim that my friends are lying, don't believe me. I probably just really like you. 
5. I'd remember random details about you because I pay attention to you and I'm genuinely interested in your life but I'd never tell you about it nor would I ever bring those details up unless you've already mentioned them. I probably know when your birthday is but I pretend that it's no big deal (which is super hard for a birthday surprise planner like me). I also probably know the types of movies you'd like and the other trivial things about you. But never mistake me for a stalker. I'm just really good at remembering stuff about you. And when the time comes that I have to pull these details out, I'd state them as nonchalantly as possible.
6. When I'm talking to you, I'd conveniently drop tidbits about me that I'm hoping you'd remember. This is embarrassing, I know, but I only do this to test if you are a bit interested in me too. Because I like you, I'd randomly insert a FB status I posted, a fun fact about me, the fictional character I love the most, my favorite food or a book I really want in our conversation just to see if you'd, I don't know, note it or be interested or whatever. 
7. I may act cool when you text me or send me a private chat message but I actually over-think my every move. I don't just reply. I think about how long should I wait before replying. Sometimes, I do it immediately but sometimes, I purposely make you wait. It depends on how I could justify my action. I also think about what to say. I don't want to seem too into you but I don't want to sound like I don't really care. And I also think about over-thinking because I don't want to seem like I'm over-thinking about replying to you (even if I probably am).
8. I would never ever ever tease the two of us as a thing. Never. Pfft. I can tease you about a lot of things just not about this one because then, I couldn't stop my KV from coming out. 
9. I write about you. This one, you won't ever find out about except if a) you discover the location of the thing that must not be discovered, b) my friends tell you, and c) I tell you. Writing is my thing. When I am filled with intense emotions, I write so naturally, if I really really like you, you'd be the protagonist of most of my stories and the "he" in most of my poems (written in my lecture notes and my ****). If I really like you, as in so so so much, you probably have a folio dedicated to all the things I've written about you. And hey, you might even be the you that I'm thinking of as I write this post.
10. I won't tell you. Like I said, I tend to watch from the sidelines and that means, I won't confess my feelings. I could probably try to show them but if I really really really like you, I won't say it straight up. For a lot of reasons.

And that's it. Bow.

The Miracle of not having electricity in the morning

Sad to say, it's been my natural reflex to check my phone in the morning instead of -- I don't know-- being thankful that I'm alive or just staring at the ceiling. 

After looking at the time, I would open my Facebook app and mindlessly scan the news feed or read my notifications. Then, after my social-net cravings have been satisfied, I would finally get out of bed. Just by that you can tell how technology has dominated my life (though my inner hipster struggles to resist).

This morning was different. When I woke up and checked my phone, I saw that the Wi-fi has been disabled. At first, I thought that my brother meddled with the connection once again so I felt a bit annoyed. But when I got out of bed for breakfast, I realized that it wasn't the Wi-fi that was off. We just didn't have electricity.

Initial reaction: Aww. I was planning to finish my projects today. Guess, I'd have to cram tomorrow. 

Second reaction: Who am I kidding? I really just wanted to blog today.

Anyway, when I got to our dinning table, I noticed that everyone was present. It was a rare sight because our schedules often conflicted (especially since I had been busy with filming) and we didn't eat as a family anymore. *sigh of contentment* It felt great!

Breakfast together mean sharing stories (and yes, even dad's corny jokes). I really really missed this part. We just went on, catching up about each others lives. It was then that I realized that despite living under the same roof, we missed each other.

I was so so so happy that I even shared a KV story to my parents. Other kids would be embarassed to do this but... yeah. It was worth it because I got to see my parents squealing like teenagers.

Without electricity, my morning slowed down and our family needed that. I guess, when the Lord serves breakfast, you can't not eat together.

Summer Book List #7: Champion by Marie Lu

“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.” 
“I’ve been searching a long time for something I think I lost.I felt like I found something when I saw you back there.” 
“You drive me insane June. You're the scariest, most clever, bravest person I know, and sometimes I can't catch my breath because I'm trying so hard to keep up. There will never be another like you. You realize that, don't you? Billions of people will come and go in this world, but there will never be another like you.” 
“It hurts every day, the absence of someone who was once there.”
“Please don't take him away from this world. Please don't let him die here in my arms, not after everything we've been through together, not after You've taken so many others. Please, I beg You, let him live. I am willing to sacrifice anything to make this happen- I'm willing to do anything You ask. Maybe you'll laugh at me for such a naive promise, but I mean it in earnest, and I don't care if it makes no sense or seems impossible. Let him live. Please. I can't bear this a second time. Tell me there is still good in this world. Tell me there is still hope for all of us.” 

Description: June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

Best part of the story: Them falling in love. More in love.

On the plot: It went well, even the fast forwarded part. It felt right that June gave Anden a chance. Everything made sense. But unfortunately, I was able to predict the ending from the moment Day forgot their companion's name. And let me tell you this, amnesia's were the plot twists that I detest the most. I know it was just right given Day's condition. It was a consolation prize for him not dying. But amnesia makes everything seem like nothing. It's like you've slept through the storm and when you woke up, everything was calm again. But clearly, a lot has changed and you can pinpoint what. Making Day forget things killed a part of who he was. (And still, despite my protests, I think it ended just right.) *sigh* And they did meet on the street as just a girl and just a boy. And I hope things go uphill from there.

On the characters: One reason why this isn't my favorite book in the series is because they crushed the strength I saw in June and Day. It humanized them and showed the beauty of their vulnerability, yes but I missed the "hero" in them. They did shine in the end because of their character but... I don't know. Maybe it hurt me every time they were hurt. Now that I think of it, in this book, their minds were as messed up as Katniss' and Peeta's in Mockingjay.

What else can I say? Ahhhh. I'm reliving my Champion feels at the moment. I think I may need to retract to myself.

Summer Book List #6: Prodigy by Marie Lu

Book cover

“The first time I saw you, when you stepped into that Skiz ring against Kaede, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. I could've watched you forever. The first time I kiss you..." That memory overpowers me now, taking me by surprise. I remember every last detail of it, almost enough to push away the lingering images of the Elector pulling June to him. "Well, that might as well have been my first kiss ever.” 

“My heart is ripped open, shredded, leaking blood. I can't let him leave like this. We've been through to much to turn into strangers.” 

Description: Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

Best part of the book: when it shook everything I believed in. I love books who can shock me like that. And of course, I loved how the story started - them pretending to be drunk in Vegas and having a simple sign (touching of the forehead) which later became important for the progress of the story. Also, I love how they fell in love and held on to each other even if they were far away. It was beautiful how they were so sure that they couldn't bear losing each other when everything else was a blur. And yes, I love how Lu ended this book even if it broke me in pieces.

On the characters: This is where I appreciated Kaede and Tess more and where June and Day were humanized. I was still cautious about Anden (and for some reason, I can see Ansel Elgort playing him).
On the plot: It did not feel like a transitional book at all. Middle books tend to be like that but Lu did a great job. The book was a full story.

I read this book in public (during the LVX orientation) but it managed to pull me into its own world. And when it ended, I couldn't stop myself from reading and yearning for more.

Summer Book List #5: Legend by Marie Lu

This is a book recommended by one of my besties and she had so much feels reading it that I was intrigued.

Book cover

“Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time. -Day” 

“I don't know if anyone's ever told you this", he begins. He doesn't blush, and his eyes don't dart away. Instead I find myself staring into a pair of oceans - one perfect, the other blemished by that tiny ripple. "You're very attractive." I've been complimented on my appearance before. But never in his tone of voice. Of all the things he's said, I don't know why this catches me off guard. But it startles me so much that without thinking I blurt out, "I could say the same about you." I pause. "In case you didn't know." A slow grin spreads across his face. "Oh, trust me. I know.”

“The memory fades, and I’m left hanging on to the ghosts of his

words.” 

“The boy who walks in the light” 

Description: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.  From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. 

Favorite part: I won't forget when Day first saw June and he was so bold in admitting that she's the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. And of course, I loved their first kiss and the moments that led to that. Day is firm in what he feels for June but his being straight-forward about it didn't seem cocky to me. It was like he knew what he wanted and he was willing to fight for it.

On the characters: Day and June are prodigies from different worlds. Day is a criminal while June is a top-notch soldier. What's great about them is the way they think. They pay attention to details and they understand what these details could mean. Their brains are problem-solving mechanisms. I actually fell in love with the way they think!
Their bodies also respond to extreme limits so they could continue their missions.
But despite all these, they're not perfect. And that's more amazing! Behind their reputations and the things they have to do, they're really just a boy and a girl. They have weaknesses and emotions.

On the plot: I didn't expect the first pages to reel me in. Tiffany and I had different tastes in books so I was expecting the story to be set in a darker world.
The world was dark and post-apocalyptic, yes, but it was the kind that I wanted. It gave me a THG feel though it was different. There was the strict Republic government and a rebel that the people support but June's and the Colonies' presence made it unique.

Personally, this is my favorite book in the trilogy. I was fascinated with how Lu created the concept of the Republic. I was intrigued by Day and how he became who he was and how he achieved impossible feats. I loved the simple actions in this book and the mysteries it held. I loved the conflicts it built which had bigger consequences that appeared in the other two books.

(Idk how to put GIFS here so that's it for now)