This isn't one book I'd normally rate as "books I'd love to read" Well, that was true three weeks ago. I never thought "textbook" style of books could ever be so interesting. But, this one proved me wrong. I literally found myself taking it everywhere, so I could read what's next -- while driving, while eating dinner when I'm home alone, and even at the salon. When I did that, even the people around me knew I was stuck.

This book helps you through the maze of human relationships. It gives one a glimpse of the possible whys and hows of relating with people. Why this personality behaves the way it does, and how you should respond to it in a way that helps build relationships.

Daniel Goleman talks about the I-It type of people -- those who have the tendency to communicate in a way that doesn't seem to involve the other person, but as if it's all an It, and never a You. Those whose conversations seem to be all about them, and are never an interplay between two people. Reading the book, especially that part, made me want to be a better communicator. And to be that, I realize entails learning to be a good listener. Learning to attune to others and to empathize (not just sympathize) with them.

Social Intelligence is a must read, especially if you want to get better at relating with people. Word of caution though -- the author could sometimes get very technical when he talks about the brain, the amygdala, the right frontal, etc. It's like another world he unknowingly gets drawn to. Those words and terms still don't make a lot of sense to me, but I do know after reading the book, that I want to get better at relating with people -- no matter which side of my brain is working.

I came out of the movie house thinking Spider-man is no superhero, not the bigger than life superhero kids look up to. I thought to myself, if I were a little kid, I would want to be Harry Osborn or the New Goblin over Peter Parker or Spider-man anytime. But, maybe that's because I am female. Must be why Harry Osborn couldn't be Peter Parker's best friend in any succeeding Spidey movie -- you just would pick him over Peter Parker. Well, a girl would. :)

Enough said, I enjoyed Spider-man 2 much better. But, if you saw Spider-man 1 and 2, you should still see 3. It's still worth watching. The Sandman effect is cool. I liked that one too.

there has been a lot of blogs lately depicting the differences between men and women. this book is one of those that gives great insight on the differences between the two genders. the book was lent to me as a reference for a women's meeting i was going to speak at, so i was planning on only using it as that - a reference. but it proved to be quite an interesting read and very informative at that. it will help give you better understanding of the opposite sex, resulting in better relationships. bill and pam farrel have one written for married couples as well, "men are like waffles, women are like spaghetti"

This is the first book of John Ortberg I read. It's an inspirational one. It makes you want to get out of your comfort zone, not just for the sake of getting out of it, but because there is a greater reward when you do.

I'm not much into reading "prescriptive" books, as one of my friends calls them. However, this one is not that kind of prescriptive book. It is semi-prescriptive and semi-inspirational, which is good to read especially at the beginning of the year.

John Ortberg's book makes me want to do things I've never done, relate with people like I never have, believe God for things bigger than life -- and yet, patiently wait for God to come through. At the end of the day it is about how big you believe your God to be. The bigger you see Him, the more you'd be able to "walk on water."

It is worth the watch. Great to end the year with a movie like this. Reminds you of what's really valuable in this life. I don't really like Russell Crowe, but I truly enjoyed watching the movie that the fact that he is the lead star did not matter so much.

It was kinda surreal watching the movie and hearing my ring tone so much. Workaholic Max Skinner had the Treo Classic ring tone, and his phone literally kept ringing. The first time it did, I almost jumped off my seat thinking it was my own phone.

Yes, the movie did remind me that I do not want to be a workaholic. I want to enjoy all that's beautiful in this life. The movie's tagline: "Everything matures...eventually." How true.

Read the book. It is supposed to be even much better than the movie. I went to a bookstore right after the movie to buy Peter Mayle's book, but it was out of stock. Must be really good.

"Condi" is an amazing read. If you are into biographies or politics, you would like this book. It is easy reading and is interestingly written. Unlike books about political figures, this book does not leave you stuck reading the policies of Condoleezza Rice, as if you were reading a press release. It gives you a picture of her life growing up and how her upbringing has helped mold her leadership style and the person she has become.

This is my second book in the last two months about an African-American's life. And, it is so amazing to see how people could rise above any circumstance they are faced with, for as long as they have faith.

In the midst of life in segregated Alabama, parents who instilled in her a desire for learning and achievement raised Condi. She always had to be twice as good simply because of the color of her skin. She was made to understand that although she could not eat at a restaurant because of her color, one day she could be president anyway. As a little girl she prophesied that she will one day work at the White House -- at a time when she wasn't even allowed to enter it because of her race. Simply amazing!

Reading "Condi" reminds me of my life as a Political Science student more than a decade ago. Yes, Condoleezza Rice makes me want to read more and learn more.

It is official.... I like penguins! I have lately been watching more animated films than I have in the last few years. And "Happy Feet" is one of the movies I have thoroughly enjoyed watching.

I specifically adore Mumble and Ramon. I was so enthralled by Ramon's Spanish love songs and by Mumble's Boogie Wonderland dance rendition.

The movie teaches you a lot of things, and makes you want to be the kind of person with whom "a funky little fella could be himself." The movie brought me close to tears -- because of emotion and laughter. Highly recommended especially for hard-working and often-stressed people. Or, even if you just want to have a good time.

You will surely gain so much from this book, and the decades of experience Bill Hybels has as a leader. He was able to compile in one short book tons of material and insight on leadership. The book has so much meat one cannot read it in one sitting alone. It took me weeks of just reading a chapter every week, at least, and thinking about and figuring out how it affects my life as a person and as a leader.

While this book was written primarily for pastors and church leaders, as Bill Hybels talks about his experience as a pastor for three decades, there is a lot of truth one can glean from this book. The principles he talks about are applicable in a lot of leadership settings.

Following are two of my favorite nuggets from this book:
"Leaders are at their very best when they are raising up leaders around them....when they are creating a leadership culture."

"If it's true that people are God's greatest treasure, then it follows that they ought to be our greatest treasure too. If they're our greatest treasure, then our hearts ought to be overflowing with love for them. Church work ought to be, at the core, the work of loving people like God loves them."

Courageous leadership is deciding to do what you ought to do no matter how difficult it could get. Leading and loving -- that's what it's all about.

The movie was actually a welcome surprise. I didn't have much expectation when I entered the movie house. I just wanted to watch a movie and it seemed like this one had a story. At least it wasn't some no-nonsense, no storyline just be violent kind of movie.

True enough, there's a good story there. And, it was very enjoyable watching the movie. I watched with two other girl friends who seemed to have enjoyed the film as well. It could be gory though for those who have very low tolerance level for bloody things. Well, just remember, if it's a movie, then it's most definitely a fake. (That's the only way I handle violence in movies.)

One of my favorite scenes is when Samuel L. Jackson gets so ticked off and says, "Ok, everyone, I've had enough! Get on your seats. We've got some snakes to kill!"

this book is worth reading. and, it is an easy read. i was never one to read books on "spirituality" but this one is different. it evokes a variety of emotions or responses in its reader. i found myself smiling, laughing, smirking, and feeling emotional (not quite crying, but feeling it) at various points in the book.

don miller writes in a way that is so irreligious, it is actually a welcome breather. his lack of religiosity made me see christianity in a different light -- in an aspect i want to learn how to live and practice more and more in my life.

i do not agree with everything he says in the book, but if there's one thing you're going to get from this book it is that you don't ever want to "sell" christianity the way we often do. you want to live it -- and only that which is lived will actually have an impact in the lives of other people.

i enjoyed the book, so i plan on reading another donald miller book. hopefully, it will be as good as this one.

It was my first time to watch a Chinese movie with English sub-titles, and, it wasn't such a bad experience. The selling point of the movie, besides Jet Li for those who are fond of Kung Fu movies, would be its story and the lesson it brings. In terms of the technical aspects of movie production, cinematography, etc. it does not rank high. The action packed fights may be a selling factor to some, but it was mainly the story for me.

The movie showed how a single event in the life of Chinese Martial Arts instructor Huo Yuanjia molded his beliefs and way of life. All his life he lived with an insatiable desire to be nothing but a winner, not because he was driven by a noble purpose, but because he was eaten up by bitterness and a desire for revenge.

These emotions naturally progressed and got the better of him. He ended up not just hurting and killing people, but even losing his loved ones -- the very people he thought he was fighting for. It took years before he was able to get back on his feet, and this, not without the unconditional help of other people around him.

Yet, when he has dealt with his own demons, Huo Yuanjia learned what true winning is all about -- the ability to withhold it when you have the power to inflict pain. Then, he brought his nation to its feet, making an impact in a way he could never have done. In the process, he affected not just his own people, but even those outside his own circle of influence.

The story may be very common, but it helps to be reminded every now and then of how life ought to be lived -- even if you have to watch a movie with sub-titles.

I love this restaurant! You should try it. I don't always like hotel food, but this one's really good. It's a taste of a little something from every corner of the world. For those with a sweet tooth, you will love their ice cream teppanyaki and chocolate pizza.