AT LONG LAST, I GOT INTO POTTERMORE!

After months of waiting with bated breath and exasperation, Pottermore has finally opened its magic-laden doors for everyone and let me in, along with probably millions more who wish to see their name listed as “magical” next to The Boy Who Lived, and partake in his extraordinary journey.


But because life happened to me just as the public registration on Pottermore was officially unlocked in April, I was only able to sign up less than a month later. I’ve got to say thanks to my cousin for the reminder though, to think that I was the one who told her about the website. Ha ha.

Choosing my username was quite hard. You see, I wasn’t that lucky to be provided with good choices. Eventually, I just settled with what I thought sounded less corny -- QueenMirror9477 (add me up?).

And so there I was, all giddy to explore more of Harry Potter’s world.

Honestly speaking, the experience was overwhelming at first, rendering me slight confusion as to how I should interact with the "Moments" on the computer screen. There were times that I was like "That was it?!" because I had only collected one object. Turned out the key was to repeatedly zoom in and out so as to make "the collectibles" appear before your eyes.

So far, the most significant Pottermore event for me was when I finally met the Sorting Hat, and "officially" ascertained for myself that I indeed belong to where I have always placed myself in: the Ravenclaw House.


For the time being, Pottermore users are limited to exploring the Philosopher's Stone and following its story. As for me, here I am waiting again -- with bated breath and exasperation -- for the Chamber of Secrets to be unlocked. And while doing that, I'd probably just strive harder to add more to the 39 points I currently have. Ha ha.

TURN THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN

HOW I WISH OUR CAT, MINKY...


...COULD ALSO DO THIS!


Haay, buhay!

(Gif sourced from here)

TOGETHER... FOREVER?

While fate has been confining me in this lovelorn state, I do find it a genuinely happy thing to see people in love, may it be in person or on TV. I look at their faces and see them glow with inexplicable happiness. I listen to them utter words of promises to their special someone and I can sense the sincerity in them. I've always believed that such kind of love is bound to last. They must be really lucky to have found each other, I think to myself, only to find out later that the glow between them has petered out and the promises of forever are broken. Now I wonder, where has all of that lovely feeling gone?

Well, whether we like it or not, finding "the one" requires trial and error (though the romantic side of me insists on only one try and no error). Yes, it is saddening to hear of breakups, but it is oftentimes needed that men and women encounter a number of tries before finally finding that someone meant for them, or in the language of sentimentals, their "soul mate."

A soul mate, as the ever-reliable Wikipedia says, in current usage refers to "a romantic partner, with the implication of an exclusive life-long bond." Personally speaking, I don't believe that the word should always be attributed as such. Well, your best bud can be your soul mate, so is your mother or your sister, or anyone with whom you have a deep bond. So, in that sense, I think all of us have a soul mate, maybe even more than one.

Nevertheless, I can't help but be interested when my brother told me about this YouTube video explaining the Chinese philosophy on why wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger.

Cool, eh?

(Image from here)

BE STRONG

This must be the most confusing time of my life thus far, when even words fail me. I know there's something I want to share, but because I'm not so sure how to say it, the proper words to use don't come to my aid. But, thankfully, sometimes we come across something that does the talking for us. A poem or a song, perhaps, that sums it up. At this moment, for me it is Room For Two's "Roots Before Branches" that lends me such office. Here it goes...

ROOTS BEFORE BRANCHES

So many things to do and say

But I can't seem to find my way

But I wanna know how

I know I'm meant for something else

But first I gotta find myself

But I don't know how

Oh, why do I reach for the stars

When I don't have wings

To carry me that far?

I gotta have roots before branches

To know who I am

Before I know who I wanna be

And faith to take chances

To live like I see

A place in this world for me

Sometimes I don't wanna feel

And forget the pain is real

Put my head in the clouds

Oh, start to run and then I fall

Seein' I can't get it all

Without my feet on the ground

There's always a seed

Before there's a rose

The more that it rains

The more I will grow

I gotta have roots before branches

To know who I am

Before I know who I wanna be

And faith to take chances

To live like I see

A place in this world

For me

Whatever comes

I know how to take it

Learn to be strong

I won't have to fake it

Are you understandin'

The wind can come and do its best

Blow me north and south, east and west

But I'll still be standing

I'll be standing

If I have roots before branches

To know who I am

Before I know who I wanna be

And faith to take chances

To live like I see

A place in this world

I gotta have roots before branches

To know who I am

Before I know who I wanna be

And faith to take chances

To live like I see

A place in this world

For me

I gotta have roots before branches

(Image from here)