i've finally learned to take take notes while i read. that way i don't have to read it again just to search for the quotes i thought were meaningful and worth remembering. (i thought ender's game was surprisingly philosophical and thought-provoking)


"The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times."

"Everyday was the same, and when each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises."

"We are afraid of losing what we have, whether it's our life or our possessions and property. But this fear evaporates when we understand that our life stories and the history of the world were written by the same hand."

"When people consult me, it's not that I'm reading the future; I am guessing at the future. The future belongs to God, and it is only he who reveals it, under extraordinary circumstances. How do I guess at the future? Based on the omens of the present. The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better. Forget about the future, and live each day according to the teachings, confident that God loves his children. Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity."

"The wise men understood that this natural world is only an image and a copy of paradise. The existence of this world is simply a guarantee that there exists a world that is perfect. God created the world so that, through its visible objects, men could understand his spiritual teachings and the marvels of his wisdom."

excerpts from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho


as i was cleaning my room today, my flowers seemed much prettier than usual for some reason, so i took some pictures. hopefully these pictures will last longer than the actual flowers, and that way i can forever cherish the special moment i received each. sentimental me, what can i say. =)