Young Bond: Blood Fever by Charlie Higson

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Higson definitely knows how to write a thriller and it's so unbelievably vivid that you could feel yourself being sucked in. The atmosphere he creates is amazing, I literally got the feelings you'd usually be getting from a chase (all good adventure-type books will have them), my heart wouldn't stop thudding. 
Zoltan, one of the characters from 'Bloodfever', said that even the toughest men call out for their "Mama..." before they die. Unfortunately, I never thought the 'experience' could hit me so soon :( 
There is a fine line between good and bad. I could hardly tell who was really who; but those who have sharper eyes could definitely figure it out, especially with the amount of detail Higson writes with. In a way that's a hint to the book, how someone nice couldn't be all That great a person, after all. 
The book also had me realizing how old Bond probably was when he started being a "lady's man" :-P

The Groovy Greeks and the Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories Collections) by Terry Deary

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Actually I was on a fence between 'liking it' and, well, the other hand. I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology but I decided to pick this up to try my hand and see if I was able to stay awake reading through the bit (actually Half) about Romans. 50-50. There are creative parts, like letters and short stories in the book, of course. Honestly, I understand this book is non-fiction so I have no hindrance about that (since it was oh-so-detailed), but it sometimes got a little dry (zzzZZZ). I guess it's my doing since I'm not one to jump at the chance to read factual stuff, nevertheless I truly did like reading this book and the series because another point is, obviously, it isn't wearying as a usual textbook. All in all, though, "I Liked It" - enough for the three stars on Shelfari :)

Terror of the Nightwatchman by Tommy Donbavand

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Sometimes you don't even need a supernatural story to have a sophisticated everything. Admittedly, the series isn't for my age group but I'm not one for that stopping me. I wholly enjoyed the plot, it wasn't at all lacking, and there was definite wit between the three main characters. I had a smile on my face the whole way.
The whole series so far was always entertaining and I can't wait to check out the rest of it ( or maybe I should; after all, wouldn't want to exhaust the books - to have too much of a good thing and then have nothing :-o )

Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus by R. L. La Fevers

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Honestly if you don't have much of an interest in Egyptology, this book might get you skipping some bits (which are actually interesting to know). If they are facts, I have the drive to read it because coming from a textbook would just make me yawn - eight times in the span of two hours while I did a subject (snore).
Theo is a lot of fun, definitely amusing and entertaining, and I hardly say that about a lot of characters, I like her ways of noticing the tiny details, since she's still young - but with a vast knowledge on removing curses, might I add - but especially when the plot is set in 1907. I like her because she reminds me a bit of me, if she doesn't like someone, she doesn't like someone - unless they prove otherwise.
There are words there that you'd never hear in our century, however it's not ye olde English, so they are still understandable :)
The other characters are not boring at all, it's either a you-love-'em or you-can-tolerate-them moment with each, from learning about Will's abundance in siblings (which Theo actually wonders "[doesn't] anyone in his family have a real name?") to Grandma Throckmorton, who's being kept in the dark is almost making the protagonist tick a little (to ease curiousity :-p I'm just mentioning that Theo is sworn to secrecy and the phrase went through my head 'if grandma only knew..' - read on!).
If you hadn't guessed I've been thinking of this review throughout the book, but I have to say, the ending was brilliant and so.. significant! Loved it all! I can't wait for the fourth book, which most should've known the title by now: Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh

Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie

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Poirot is a new detective for me but he's been solving cases by Agatha Christie since forever, and now I know why. He's a brilliant man with a moustache to match his great powers of deduction (if you read his cases, you'll know it's quite large).
Though if I remember, there were some long-winded speeches (which I didn't skip but I did get a glazed look over my eyes) but there always is. I think it's to confuse. So not only does the Queen of Crime keep me guessing, she comes up with the least expected guilty party - seriously, I tried to keep up with the intuitive thoughts here and there. Realizing 'whodunit', I was stumped. Who knew?
She's living well up to her name.
This time Poirot had friends to discuss with, however he still had his thinking time. It was a lot of fun to read, and I'm picking up more of her books, especially those on Poirot. Basically you get a two-in-one by using my grey matter and picking up a little French along the way, *cough*which is one of the crucial points for the murder*cough*. I can't wait for one of the next books I'm looking out for: The Mystery of the Blue Train.
(And yes, I made the connection. Poirot has a thing for terrors on trains :-P)

This is a last note: sad thing about it is, this is another book of hers that I found which has a typo error. The back cover gives the synopsis, however the first name of the victim (they put it as Simon, I think) is slightly different then that of the actual story, Samuel Ratchett :(

 

Advent Candle: Love

Hi Jade   Got your sms and photos of the primary kids. Thanks!   We have been writing a few lines on the meaning of each Advent candle starting from the Sunday of Hope, Peace and this week is Joy. I have also used the attachment to extract some contents, besides using the Advent booklet. Wd you like to peruse thru on the 4th Sun's write up, as well as Google on reliable websites to write another 100 word write up about the 4th Sunday of Advent, and meaning of the last candle of which marks "Love"? As always, submission by Tues.   Let me know if you can take this up.   Thanks and have a blessed weekend, Tricia

CDM Parish Bulletin_Vol62[1] (i THINK it's there, i THINK it's there...)

The fourth candle, the "Candle of Love," reminds Christians that God loves us enough to send his only Son to Earth and that Jesus comes to bring Peace to both the world and to people's hearts, because without Him there is no peace in this world. With this flame we signify the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times, but that we recognize in a special way in the Christmas story. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. We love, because God loves us.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, the focus is on "Love". It reminds Christians that God loves us enough to send his only Son to Earth and that Jesus comes to bring peace to both the world and to people's hearts, because without Him there is no peace in this world. And with this flame not only do we signify the love of God that surrounds and fills us at all times, we recognize in a special way the Christmas story. There is no greater power than love. It is stronger than rulers and empires, stronger than grief or despair, stronger even than death. We love, because God loves us.

Fulfillment of Prophecy: “...the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1: 78b-79

Gaudete Sunday

CDM Parish Bulletin_Vol61[1] (yayyyyyy)

 

Gaudete – or “rejoice” – Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent and with a rose candle lit it is a day to rejoice as we reflect on the wonder and the anticipated coming of Christ in the Nativity and His coming again. One could hardly start to imagine the world without Him. So, like Lent, Advent is a penitential season which means the priests normally has on purple; however on Gaudete Sunday (which is pass the midpoint of Advent), the Church will lift the mood with the priests wearing rose/pink vestments. The change in colour provides us with encouragement to continue our spiritual preparation—especially prayer and fasting—for Christmas.

The Significance: Advent wreath

While several people may affix a wreath to their front door, it is doubtful if many truly are aware of the significance of Advent. Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas, when Christians traditionally mark this period by fasting and penitence. It historically marked the anticipation of the birth of Christ as prophesied by Isaiah and other prophets in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Today, Christians may also use the four weeks of Advent to meditate on the second coming of Jesus as proclaimed in the New Testament. Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming. This means that when He comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep.

 

The process is not necessarily the swiftest but overall it does look nice in the end

CDM Parish Bulletin_Vol59_Colour[1] (shortened article, but still, this one is ALL MINE!!!!!)

Underline, may not want

While several people may affix a wreath to their front door, it is doubtful if many truly are aware of the significance of Advent

Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Christians traditionally marked this period by fasting and penitence. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin "advenio," meaning the coming, or arrival of an important person or holiday.

Advent historically marked the anticipation of the birth of Christ as prophesied by Isaiah and other prophets in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Today, Christians may also use the four weeks of Advent to meditate on the second coming of Jesus as proclaimed in the New Testament.

OR

The vision of life that Advent gives us is twofold; it looks back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and it looks to the future when Christ will come again. In the interval between these two events we find meaning for our life as a Christian

Advent is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community. Thus we are preparing not only for Christmas but also for Christ's Second Coming. This means that when he comes again, we will be awake and watchful. He will not find us asleep.

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4) by Ilona Andrews

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Not a lot can be said for something undeniably perfect. Except this:
It's impossible to say anything without ruining the book for others. But I have to say, two thumbs and toes way WAY up! Magic Bleeds is as witty and beautifully written as the rest of the series. I honestly can't wait for more and I'll turn savage if I have to ;)

All Saints and All Souls

November 1st is the day which a Christian feast is held to honour all the saints, including those who have not been canonized. The Church has always honoured and held the celebration of the anniversary of “all the martyrs” early in the 4th century. On this day, we remember the holiness of saints who have modeled grace for us. And in our liturgical celebration, we are participating in the holiness of the Communion of Saints, who are in union with us and actively share in our worship, as together we await the day of the Lord

CDM Parish Bulletin_Vol55[1] - all saints (my article)

As I researched I came across a list about All Souls Day, and honestly I was hoping to incorporate that in more than what I had to write 

Go for point 6, I wrote in my notes. 

It is not a sad, scary or morbid ritual. It's a day of happiness because the loved ones are being remembered with fondness. Although when in the graveyard, people tend to assume an introspective brooding attitude. It is about Love not Fear. All Souls’ Day was meant for love and not fear, and to remember those who passed away with fondness.

Shame this didn't make it in