The Chinese Girl by John Baker

The Chinese Girl by John Baker


Synopsis
Stone Lewis is just out of jail and looking for a fresh start. With new tattoos on his face - they held hi down in the nick and did them for him - he looks scary enough for people to give him a wide berth. But that doesn't stop a battered Asian girl he finds in the doorway of his basement flat asking for his help. Ginny has come to Hull from California, looking for her best friend after her letters suddenly stopped. She's beautiful, she's a very long way from home, and Stone agrees to help.


Soon he's right back among the vicious city lowlife he was trying to avoid. And before long, as the terrible truth emerges, Stone finds himself surrounded by psychos and Dobermans.


I say...
The way the story unfold was pretty entertaining. I liked how the author named each chapter  *grinning*. I liked this Stone Lewis character (I was trying to figure out who would be the best casting for him...ehm...maybe Seal?). Though an ex-con with terrible outlook, but he sounded just like the simple guy next door without flattery and to the the point. Surprisingly, he knew how to write a letter ehm...(I've never meet one like that). However, the characters on the book seemed to know each other (I wondered how small Hull city was) and apparently it was a slum.


It involved lots of letters...more letters than I've imagined. After few chapters of letters from one person...well it was sorta reading a diary...really made me feel like reading one of those teen-lit books that I used to read few years back he he he. I didn't get it how an ex-con could patiently read thru the whole letters...full of girls' talk. Maybe they didn't provide much entertainment there @jail.


It had so many twisting sentences (I gotta read slowly) and slang words that I didn't understand (finally it was time to use my dict). It made you re-think what you used to believe, sorta psychology book (not my fav one although I had to admit, I was quite enjoy this one...but still not the kind which i resist to put down for a while). It was about marriage, about parental relationship, about selfishness, being mature, about the self-existence and many more. 


It was sorta detective book which ended good (bad guy would be captured one or another way). Definitely not for kids since it had lots of violence. The words used were rough, vulgar yet quite cute and sexy. It was 3 out of 5 and I would like to try reading one of his book again in the future (just wanted to know whether the author always writes his book with deep thought like this one).

The Bourne Deception by Eric Van Lustbader

The Bourne Deception by Eric Van Lustbader (based on character created by Robert Ludlum)

Synopsis
After Jason Bourne is ambushed and nearly killed during a retreat on the island of Bali, he fakes his own death and takes on a new identity and mission - to find his assassin.

Across the globe, an American passenger airliner is shot down over Egypt by an Iranian missile, leaving the world to wonder if it was an accident or an act of aggression. As global outrage builds over the event, a joint-international tean led by Soraya Moore, a director at Central Intelligence, is assembled to investigate the attack before the situation can escalate into more violence. When Bourne's hunt for revenge intersects with Soraya's search for the perpetrators of the airplane disaster, Bourne is thrust into a race to prevent a new world war. But it may already be too late...


I say...
This is the first work that I read of Eric. Beside this, i think he wrote another 3 books under Bourne's series, however I'm not aware of the sequence. (imho) Eric can be considered successfully continuing the story of Bourne with the 'almost similar' plot and style of Robert Ludlum. 


The main idea about Iranian, oil and terrorist is a bit difficult for me to understand, since I'm not into current political issues round the world. However, I did enjoy the action. The plot moves so fast that sometime I had to re-read certain part to get a good grab of it (especially the fighting part). It would be great if this book can be made into a movie since it got so many actions that I wanted to see (reading it only gives you hints of the real action). I can imagine Matt Damon is shooting while running or giving his apologetic smile to some lady (like all those Bourne's movies).

I don't understand how Bourne (even after killing some thug...bleeding and all) could get the best help from an unknown lady...Bourne sure was lucky. Are all lady out there not afraid of blood and cleverly know what needed and what to do to fix an open scar? I envy those ladies...what school that they went anyway? Would like to enroll my girls "̮ wk°wk (′▽`) wk°wk "̮

I like how the author entwined the romance (not the steamy one but something more sweet) into the story, with the right timing and proportion as well. However, there were so many names there that I had to make a list of it (saved me since I didn't need to go back to search who was who). Anyway, I Ŀ♡√Ɛ the setting...Eric clearly spent quite sometime at Bali. The way he wrote, reminded me of years that I spent there too. I miss Bali *promising myself to search for a LCC*


At the end...Not all bad guys were down...not all good guys were safe and sound (yeah...i know...it's cliche). Bourne's forgotten identity remained as a mystery (surely another reason for Eric to write the sequel and another reason for me to patiently wait for the book). Overall, the story was interesting, since you would never guessed it. I would give 4 out of 5 for this and am looking forward for another work of Eric. 

Thank you gift for the teachers

Pencil holder

It's 2months of school holiday...meaning...sleep late, wake up when the sun burns your eyes, basically things that we rarely do when it's school time. However, rather than doing nothing, few days ago, I asked my girls to create something (our own art projects). Luckily, we hadn't found anything yet for a thank you token to be given to the previous homeroom teachers (I prefer a hand-made stuff since it has more personal touch). After googling and asking around, we come up with a hand-made pencil holder.

What do you need:
- a plastic container/glass/box (cylinder shape is preferable)
- bunch of pencils (the number is depended on how big the container that you use)
- hotgun (strong glue)
- small ornament for decoration (we used ribbons and small soft-toy)

How to (it's pretty simple):
1. Stick the pencils (one by one) onto the container/glass/box outer part. Careful with the hotgun. If you wanted, you could make patterns with the pencils.
2. Then add the ornament or decoration onto it. My girls made some thank you notes to be attached on the ribbon as well.
3. Ta...da...it's done. A pretty cute pencil holder (^.^) ready for use. 

It's simple (my girls can do it)...using a simple and unexpensive materials as well...and I think it's a perfect thank you gift for teachers.

Wanna try to create your own?

Another books on sale

Last sunday, we went to Mangga 2 Square (well it's very near from our house, 5mins of drive) and we have a baby shop there (GF blok B94/95). Incidentally I went to the 2nd floor (ATM center) and found out that Gramedia is having a bazaar there. Since I like books...I couldn't stop myself for not browsing thru it.

There is a corner with english books (I had to resist myself for not jumping around happily) at a very friendly price, 15k each (what!!!). So, forgetting bout my original purpose, there I was, squating and selecting books in the middle of dusty and stenchful old collections (literally, I found some books published at late 70s). I had to cover my nose while browsing thru it. Despite all those things, I still bought 7books 【ツ】ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²² ƗƗє²²【ツ】 

Now, I have cleaned those books and I put it inside a plastic bag with lots of potpouri to get rid of the stench. Can't wait to read it (>.<)

Sometime I like to read romance in between of fast-pacing full of action books

Sofitel Macau at 16 Ponte

I redeemed one of my 2-free-nite-stay from my Accor Advantage membership here, @Sofitel Macau. Sofitel is one among many hotels under Accor which is known for its luxury and elegance. It’s true anyway. After 15mins drive from Macau ferry terminal (it was supposed to be within 15mins interval, however we waited pretty long for the shuttle bus, almost 25mins), we were welcomed in a medium-size lobby. None of its outlook pronounces casino (no fancy light and no big statue of whatever, but there is a 16 Ponte casino in adjacent which is not part of Sofitel).

The toiletries

Instead, on right side, it was a small port with lots of small boats/ferries berthed. This pictorial view reminded me of small fishing village that I often saw on the postcard (Sofitel indeed has this view on its postcard). The outer building isn’t eye-catching however the ornament inside the lobby made me wow-ed. I thought, was my 15mins bus ride transported me to France instead of Macau? Sofitel is indeed a hotel originated from France and its influence shows everywhere around the hotel, from the room interior to the breakfast menu.

I was upgraded to the Premium floor (with free wifi provided) with its own reception floor. That was good since the check-in/check-out in the lobby was pretty slow (I waited for 15mins just to get my room keys). A questionnaire that was sent to me few days prior my arrival (it’s a complete set of question, asking my preference for this and that, to ensure my satisfying stay here) surely didn’t prepare me for this. The room is big, plush bed and pillows, thick carpet with ornament and lighting in maroon. It gave off the romantic yet elegance ambiance, not to mention the not-too-sweet room perfume (but I hate the hotel corridor perfume…way too strong for my taste). Like any other 5stars hotel, it’s complete with coffee/tea maker with the finesse selection of tea bags, fridge, iron and its table, hairdryer, bose ipod dock, did I miss something? Ah…the snack/compliments on the mini bar are free as well (yum yum…nice).

The bathroom, separated from the room with a clear glass (with automatic curtain) has its own flat tv installed right in front of the bathtub (hmmm…my hubby surely loved this). Beside the shower and toilet, the bathroom is equipped with first class amenities (I got Hermes toiletries set yay…). One thing that I’ve never seen at elsewhere is the pillow menu…yes…it’s a menu where we can choose our pillow, whether it’s a buckwheat pillow or goose feather pillow or etc. They even provided us with pillow for the bathtub. My sleep that nite was sure the best one.

The pillow menu

The hotel has a pool (but like any other Accor hotels, it’s small), Jacuzzi, sauna and spa as well. I couldn’t complaint bout the nice breakfast buffet that we had. Even though Sofitel only provides shuttle to and fro the ferry terminal, airport and border gate, it was still our best nite.

Receiving a simple and small gift sure felt nice

It’s good to be pampered once in a while, isn’t it?