Hip Hip Hooray!

Bad hair day?

Even though fayeandmartha didn't reach our target of 150 blogs by our 3rd anniversary I am still proud of our accomplishments, thus far. I'm the first to tell people that I'm not a natural writer. It was because of Martha that I even get to squeeze a few decent (or as my mom would say 'Pwede na') entries.

I sometimes have trouble selecting interesting topics to blog about. I am also guilty of 'submitting' my entries pretty late. But my sister patiently and endlessly encourage (aka: nag) me until I finally relent. Haha! Kidding aside, I'm lucky to be part of this brainchild of hers. 

I give full credit to you, dear sister. Thank you for every happiness this blog has brought me. Happy anniversary! Love, love.

-Faye

If I Stay

For 17-year-old Mia Hall, life is good. She is a gifted cellist and might just get in her dream school, Juilliard. Adam, her boyfriend, loves her. Most of all, she has a wonderful family - the coolest parents and an adorable little brother.

But one snowy day, life suddenly becomes a nightmare. She gets in a car accident with her family which puts her in a coma. And as her body lays in the hospital bed, she learns that she has to make the ultimate choice: whether to stay or go.

Once again, I was mesmerized by Gayle Forman's writing in her first bestsellers, If I Stay and its sequel, Where She Went. If in Just One Day I was amazed by how she describes places, here, I was awestruck by how she describes life. The many contradicting things about it. How short it is yet lasting. How it changes but somehow is still the same.

I also admire the music in the books and am impressed with Gayle's emotive, rock-lyric writing. I could almost hear the classical pieces even though I don't know them. Yes, a little bit of rock, a little bit of classic. And then, something in me felt warm at the blending of the two. Genius.

As Mia flashbacks on her life's picturesque moments, you are transported back to your own. It reminds us of the important things and how to cherish them. The aftermath of her struggle is bittersweet and tender. Truly, it is a touching story of love, loss, and more.

-Martha 

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

One lazy afternoon, I finally got to watch a film I've been meaning to see. Mind you, it's not the new Transformers movie (I haven't seen the old ones either!) which just about dominated all cinemas. In fact, it's the 1993 indie What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

It takes place in Endora, a small town where the Grapes live. The story follows Gilbert (played by the one and only Johnny Depp), the oldest brother of four siblings, who also stands as the man in the family ever since their father died.

His main concerns: their morbidly obese mother who hasn't gone out of the house for years, the house itself which is slowly falling apart, and most of all, Arnie, their mentally-challenged brother who is about to turn 18. With his hands full, can Gilbert ever dream outside of such a remote place?

The subtle acting and touching realism of the screenplay makes it remarkable. Note-worthy performances go to a very young and talented Leonardo DiCaprio (Arnie) and Darlene Cates (Mama). I was taken with just about everything in this movie. I felt as if I was a part of their neighborhood. I felt like I knew them. I guess that's when you know you've seen something really special.

I love that it depicts certain social issues such as stigma against mental illness and 'socially unacceptable' physical appearance but I love it even more because it made me reflect on life, the value of family, and the value of ourselves.

-Martha