It has been gloomy in Manila. This has been the consistent view from my room. 

The only positive thing that the rain brings is the cool temperature we rarely experience in the city. The cool temperature becomes very conducive for staying bed (than going out), reading books and saving me from those unnecessary expenditures. haha

Speaking of expenditures, I went shopping with my friend Anne last Friday. I've noticed that I've been going out with Anne more often lately. However, I've become more conscious of my spending habits these days. Instead of the usual girly stuff (shoes, clothes and bags)  Anne and I have been splurging on books. We've been increasing our trips to Booksale and National Bookstore. For this week, here are my recent acquisitions.

Love: A User's Guide by Clare Naylor is a bargain find from Booksale. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is a discounted purchase from National Bookstore. To my local friends, you better head out to National Bookstore now because they are hosting a sale. Most books are discounted by as much as 30%.

The God of Small Things will be the first Indian novel in my list. This title is the debut novel of Arundhati Roy. A first attempt that made her won the 1998 Man Booker Prize Award for Fiction. A little internet research made me discover that the story is semi-autobiographical. Much of the story covered Roy's childhood experiences in India.

 If I could pick one word to describe my entire week, I guess REUNIONS would be the best.

Two text messages convinced me to join this unplanned and unexpected reunion. Back in my High School to College days, I used to be an active member of a Catholic organization. But as they say, all things are bound to change. I had other priorities and issues which made me retire from the organization that has become part of my teenage years. While some things change, I'm happy to say that people and friendships remained the same.  The people you see in the picture are my ates (sisters) and kuyas (brothers) in the organization. I was the youngest and often called as the group's baby. But look at me now... I'm as huge as a baby elephant :D Where am I in the picture?  I'm the blue baby, the girl who will forever love color blue. Still can't spot me? Look for the roundest face hahaha

Before the week started, the cutest and biggest kid in the family arrived in Manila

See that "little big" boy? He has been giving my family so much joy these days. Hopefully, I'll have more time to play with him.

How about you? How was your week? Wishing everyone a Beautiful Sunday!