Mixtapes and Stories

And here's my 2013 mixtape. This is a collection of songs that I usually play day in and day out. Most of them are songs I discovered while wasting away my time on the internet. ;) 

~Jhun

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1. Acapella by Karmin

~ My guilty pleasure for 2013. :P I don't know...but there's something about this song that perks me up everytime I hear it. 

"Wooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, I'mma do it acapella!Yeah!"

2. Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute

~ I got this one from my sister. She made me listen to this track and from then on, I searched all of Parachute's tracks and listened to every-freakin-one. Perfect music for the hopeless romantics like moi. 

"Well I'm not sure what this is gonna be, but with my eyes closed all I see is the skyline through the window, the moon above you and the streets below. Hold my breath as you're moving in, taste your lips and feel your skin. When the time comes, baby don't run, just kiss me slowly."

3. Get Your Guns by The Darling Buds (Jamie Campbell Bower)

~ Have I already said that I'm a sucker for awesome musicians? This guy, he's one of them. I first saw him as  Anthony in "Sweeney Todd" singing "Johanna" even after being battered and beaten to the ground by Professor Snape and Peter Pettigrew...ahem! I mean, by Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford. I forgot about him after that movie until now, when he came back as Jace Wayland in The Mortal Instruments. 

"Everything seems to fall into place when you put hand in mine it's like we're flying through space. Give your trust, put your heart in my hand, don't you stress your pretty head it's all going to plan."

4. Campus by Sunderland

~ I stumbled upon this band when I saw their cover of Parachute's Kiss Me Slowly. I checked out their channel and fell in love with their original tracks (seriously, these guys are amazing).  But this song is special for me because one time, I woke up from a dream (I can't even remember the dream itself) singing the chorus of this song in my mind and I found it weird because it sounded like a message from the universe, I think. ;P

"It's funny how in moment my life can change, all the pieces rearranged. One false step and I have changed who I become."

5. If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn (Acoustic) by Sleeping with Sirens

~ Don't ask me about the title because truth be told, I don't have any idea what was it's relevance to the song. As far as I know, those two had never been together on any film or show, so I don't see why they decided to put those two names side by side. Anyhow, this was one of the songs that I just happen to stumble upon Youtube because I was already sick and tired of most of the songs that's playing on the radio. If you're brave, check out the original version of this song right here.

"They say that love is forever, your forever is all that I need. Please stay as long as you need...It goes to show, I hope that you know that you are what my dreams are made of."

       
6. Remembering Sunday by All Time Low

~ This song always hits a soft spot in me. It's somewhat related to my post "Sweetcakes and Milkshakes". Just figure it out. ;)

"Eventhough she doesn't believe in love, he's determined to call her bluff."

7. No Matter What (Acoustic) by Papa Roach

~ This I got from my brother. Delivers a perfect dose of cheesiness for my hopelessly-overtly-dramatic-romantic-heart. 

"We're indestructible, we are untouchable, nothing could tear us down tonight. You are so beautiful, it should be criminal, you should be mine."

8. Kiss Me (Acoustic) by Ed Sheeran

~ Are you starting to see a pattern here? Give a guy a guitar or a piano, a good voice, a pen and paper to write his song on, and I'm a goner. It's a done deal. With Ed Sheeran, there's something endearing with his personality. He's like a shy-type-kind-of-guy who just sits silently on a corner and you wouldn't notice him instantly, not until he picks up his guitar and begins to play one of his songs. I could just listen to him play over and over and over again.

"Your heart's against my chest, your lips pressed to my neck. And I've fallen for your eyes, but they don't know me yet. And with this feeling I forget, I'm in love now. Kiss me like you wanna be loved, like you wanna be loved."

9. Smack Into You by Jon McLaughlin

~ One of my best finds for 2013. I loved his version way, way, much than Beyonce's "Smash Into You". I wouldn't mind smacking into someone, if that someone is in the likes of Jon himself. haha! dream on girl! ;P 

"And I soaked in your love. And love is right in my path, in my grasp. And you and me belong...I wanna run, run smack into you. I'm willing to run, run smack into you."

10. All About Us by He is We (feat. Owl City)

~ This one was shared to me by my moon sister last summer. It kind of became our national anthem for quite sometime. I know, I know, too much mushiness already. Deal with it.

"Cause lovers dance when they're feeling in love. Spotlight shining it's all about us. It's all about us. And very heart in the room will melt. This is a feeling I've never felt but it's all about us."

11. Tea and Toast by Lucy Spraggan

~ Beautiful Song. Managed to make me feel sad to happy to giddy to anxious and ended up bawling, all in under 5 minutes. 

"When the skies are looking bad my dear and your heart's lost all it's hope. After dawn there will be sunshine and all the dust will go. The skies will clear my darling, I wake up with the one I love the most. And in the morning I'd wake you up with some tea and toast."

12. Clarity by Zedd feat. Foxes

~ I've never been much of a fan of house music but sometimes, there's an exception to the rule. And this one is THE exception.

"If our love's a tragedy why are you my remedy. If our love's insanity why are you my clarity."

13. Closer by Tegan and Sara

~ I came to love this duo by accident. I was reading the paper and one of the articles covered their performance here last month. And on one of the pictures are captioned with a part of the lyrics to this song. I checked it out and since then, it's been playing every day.

"All I wanna get is a little bit closer. All I wanna know is, can you come a little closer."

14. Sad Song by We The Kings

~ Just found this a couple of days ago and became an instant fave. Yeah, I know, part of the predictable pattern again. Guy, guitar, beautiful voice, cheesy music. Shoot me.

"So stop time right here in the moonlight cause I don't ever wanna close my eyes."

15. Les Etoiles Secretes by Ida

~ Saw this from a playlist on one of the books I've read this year. "Hold Still" by Nina LaCour

"Driving home in your car, listen to the secret stars. Can't believe how great they are. Would you say you love me?"

16. Just A Kiss by Lady Antebellum

~ The video and music reminds me of the books "Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins and "Just One Day" by Gayle Forman

"Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight. Just a touch if the fire burning so bright. I don't wanna mess this thing up, I don't wanna push too far. Just a shot in the dark that you just might be the one I've been waiting for my whole life."

The next songs are the ones I usually play whenever I'm in the mood to write. Others are specific inspirations for certain stories. :)

17. For You by Duncan Sheik

~ The inspiration for the story "Infinite World". 

"You're a beautiful girl and I want you to know it. It's an infinite world and I want you."

18. La Vie En Rose by Louis Armstrong

~ This one inspired me to edit "Infinite World" and add a specific scene in the story.

"Give your heart and soul to me and life will always be, la vie en rose"

19. Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift

~ This is the inspiration for the story "Coffee for Two". 

"Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain. Kiss me on the sidewalk and take away the pain cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile." 

20. Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg

~ Inspiration for one of the scenes in "Coffee for Two"

"The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old. But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man. I'm just a living legacy to the leader of the band."

21. It Might Be You by Patti Austin

~ When I heard this song for the first time after so many years, my fingers just itched its way to my laptop and poof! there goes "Leap of Faith". (now I need a new song to finish this mess.)

"Time, I've been passing time watching trains go by. All of my life wondering how they met and what makes it last. If I found the place, would I recognize the face. Something's telling me it might be you.

***Hope you had fun listening to our playlist. A tip of the hat to 2013, and cheers to 2014!:)

Hate Mail to Johnny Depp

Dear Mr. Depp,

I'm sure a lot of people who knew me well are probably wondering why I'm sending you a hate mail. Why? Because they all know that I'm a big fan of yours. Yeah, so now I guess you're confused too (that is if you really are reading this, which I highly doubt, but still...) Don't be though, because I'll tell you in a minute. Just let me tell you first how I became a fan of yours.

It started back in high school, when you introduced to us Capt. Jack Sparrow in the first installment of the Pirates in the Caribbean and, right then you caught my interest because you were different. At first, I was swooning and ooohhh-ing and aaahhh-ing over pictures and stories of you that I saw on the internet. Back then, all I saw was the glossed-over version of you, the superficial part of you. The person that most of the ladies shout at "Marry Me Johnny" chants. That was how I saw you before.

Later on, I started reading articles about you (don't get me wrong, I'm not a stalker - really, I'm not - I'm just curious about your life story...so there) and that's when I began to really idolize you. Because you see, in you I found a kindred spirit. Finally! there's someone out there who knows and understands how I feel. Someone who loves books, music and weird stuff as much as me. And when I learned of the long relationship you had with Vanessa, I was ecstatic because it gave me hope that "weird people" like us could have a shot on happiness. 

Then the news of your break-up came out...and it broke my heart. It even freaked me out when people, knowing that I'm a fan of yours, kept on joking me - "Hey! Have you heard the news? Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis broke-up. Now you have a chance on him." - But instead of being happy, I was shattered. Because for me it felt like you broke a promise. I was in shambles and it made me mad. That's why I hated you - let me correct it - that's why I hated what happened to you. Because I thought that since you finally found your own happiness, that it's probably my turn now. 

I know it may sound stupid and overly-dramatic for me to react that way, especially for someone who doesn't know you personally and who has no idea on what really happened or what went wrong between you two. But what can I say? I'm just an ordinary-high-on-hormones-emotional-girl who happens to idolize you and, what happened to you and your family somewhat affected me too.

I just wish that now you're happy and whoever you're with  makes it all worth it for you. May you have a good life and happy holidays...I hope

Jhun

P.S. Just in case you're wondering why I only decided to write to you now...well, I'm wondering too. Maybe because it's the season of miracles and I hope that with a stroke of luck, you'd get to read this.

Santa Can You Hear Me?

Since it's New Moon and it's the last month for the year, me and my moon sister Rhio decided to make our last new moon post for 2013 something special. So here's my Christmas Wishlist for this year:

First things first, I wish that I could spend this holiday season with the whole family. If I could only have one wish, this would be it. It's the only thing that could make this Christmas extra-special. :)

Next, I wish for more patience and  courage. For what? I don't know. And I guess that's what makes it scarier for me. I just feel (oh there goes that feeling again!:|) that I'd need these to make my 2014 awesome, so there. 

Third, for everyone to feel the warmth of the Christmas cheer, especially by those who were affected by the recent disasters and tragedies all around the world. They may not have gotten over their grief and loss by this time, but the least the rest of us could do is share our blessings with them and make them feel that they're loved. I may sound like a hippy on a high by saying this but I'll say it anyway "Spread love and peace people! Love makes the world go round." ;)

There goes my top three wishes for Christmas and now...it's time to be greedy - ahem! I mean - to be wishful... :P

1. For the book-geek me: BOOKS of course! What else can I say? They're my first love.  :) Any book will do, but if I were to choose (haha!:P), these titles would do the trick:

"The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
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*** I want this book because I've always been fascinated with Sylvia Plath's poetry. :)

 "Ulysses" by James Joyce
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*** This one's special because I learned that this book has its own special holiday 
~ the Bloomsday ~ which happens to be my birthday as well. :)

 "Saving June" and "Speechless" by Hannah Harrington 
*** I've already read Saving June in ebook format but I got attached to the story 
(maybe because our names sound the same), that's why I want a physical copy too, 
and Speechless has an intriguing premise making me want to read it too. :)

 "If I Stay" and "Just One Day" by Gayle Forman

*** I've already read these too, regretfully in ebook formats also. :| 

But they gave me so much feels that I want to have my own physical copies too. :)

2. Record Player and Vinyls

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*** That sound when the needle makes contact with the vinyl...aaahhh...feels like music for me already.
What can I say? This gift's for me old soul. :)

3. In Utero 20th Anniversary Edition by Nirvana

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*** This is for the forever-90s-grunge-kid me. ;)

4. Skin and Bones Live in Hollywood by Foo Fighters

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*** This for the present grunge/rockstar me. haha! :P

4. Snow Globes and Toy Trains

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*** Now these are for the misty-eyed-Santa-believer-kid-me. 
If there's one thing I'm grateful for from my parents, 
it's that they raised us as kids who "believe" 
no matter how impossible or illogical it maybe. :)

5. Red Stilettos

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*** And lastly, these sparkly red stilettos is for the strong-independent-woman in me. ;)
Gotta be ready to kick some ass on 2014. haha! :)
If only they could have magic the same as Dorothy's slippers.
So that when the going gets tough after I kicked some butt and I'd need a means for escape,
I could just click my heels and say...
 "There's no place like home!"
*poof!*