Our Chemical Hearts

After reading the “My Heart and Other Black Holes” by Jasmine Warga, I found myself being strongly interested to this kind of thing categorized under mental health, fiction or not. One day I just happened to update my feed on Goodreads, it was then I saw an eye-catching cover of a novel entitled “Our Chemical Heart”. Well, it sounds familiar enough, though. I didn’t read the review provided by the site, and almost immediately I made decision that I definitely going to read it. Yeah I know it’s so wise of me, deciding to read because of the cover like almost every other time.

The novel turns out to be a story about a boy who fell for a broken girl, but it is not the kind of love story when love heals the broken one. It’s about how loving the broken girl made the boy broken, and in the end it was time that healed them. The love story didn’t end a happy ending, but the people were indeed became happier, better, redeemed.

I want to say that this novel is not as bright as I expected. It’s hard for me to keep reading it somewhere in the middle, like it loses its power to make me stay engaged. I would not say that it’s boring but there is something about the way the story was revealed. It’s like when someone told too much gory details and as if she had you hang for too long. 

The philosophy of the title was found in Chapter 25. I copy the sentences here not only to reveal why “Our Chemical Heath” is the title (based on my analysis only), but also to show parts I like the most therefore be my personal quote. So, here it comes: 

“Love is scientific. It’s really just a chemical reaction in the brain. Sometimes the reaction last a life time, repeating itself over and over again. And sometimes it doesn’t. Sometime it goes supernova and then starts to fade. We’re all just chemical hearts. Does that make love any less brilliant? I don’t think so. Just because a love ends doesn’t mean it wasn’t real. Love is never perfect. You can’t go around thinking that every person you fall for is ‘The One’. People don’t have soul mates. People make their soul mates. Heart break is science, like love. So trust me when I say this: You are wounded right now but you’ll heal.”

For all of you who are now experiencing heartbreak, I hope you find beautiful ways to heal. You will absolutely heal. It is never beyond our power to be happy, to be back in one piece again because when we choose to, we are the hero for ourselves.

When it comes to rating, I will give 3 out of 5.

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Quotes from Blood of Olympus

Nike (the God of Victory) said "Victory is always dangerous and it often requires sacrifice."

Zeus said " There is never only one way."

Piper said " Some pain should not be wished away so easily. It had to be dealt with even embraced."

Orion said " Too much love is poison especially when that love is not returned."

Hylla (the queen of Amazon) said " No one can hate you with more intensity than someone who used to love you."

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Download Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

I've not yet finished reading this one, so I can't provide any summary, perspective, etc. However, I promise that when I'm done I'll write done every interesting and inspiring sentences found in it as usual. For you who want to check it by yourself, you can download the book ( novel, what ever) by clicking the link below.

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Statistics in Linguistics by Christopher Butler

This book provides elaborate explanations about how to statistically analyze research data in the linguistic field of study.

Published in 1985 doesn't make it an outdated book. In fact, it beats other books in account of the completeness of formulas and examples of calculation.

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Vocabulary Workbook: Check Your Vocabulary for TOEFL

This workbook provides a resource for students studying towardsthe TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam, which is arequirement for entry for non-native speakers of English at over 6,000 universities in 100 countries worldwide. 

It includes a range of fun activities to help students build and improve their English vocabulary at TOEFL® level, and is suitable for
both self-study and classroom use. 

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Translation and Translating:Theory and Practice by Roger T. Bell

The author attempts to arrange the translation process and set it within a systemic model of language. The book is divided into three parts, namely model, meaning and memory, assessing how logical relationships are organized and mapped onto the syntactic systems of a language. Bell firstly defines translation for the purposes of his book and argues that a major specification for the successful organization of translation into a manageable system is translator competence.

Other books in this series include An Introduction to Second Language Acquisition Research, The Classroom and the Language Learner and Bilingualism in Education.

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An Introduction to Sociolinguistics by Ronald Wardhaugh

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wardhaugh, Ronald.
An introduction to sociolinguistics / Ronald Wardhaugh. — 5th ed.
p. cm. — (Blackwell textbooks in linguistics ; 4)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4051-3559-7 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-10: 1-4051-3559-X (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Sociolinguistics. I. Title. II.
Series.
P40.W27 2006
306.44—dc22
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Loki's Wolves (The Blackwell Series #1)

 

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In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok, that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters--wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds, all bent on destroying the world.

The gods died a long time ago. 

Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history--because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, South Dakota, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt's classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke. 

However, knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids--led by Matt--will stand in for the gods in the final battle, he can hardly believe it. Matt, Laurie, and Fen's lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to prevent the end of the world.

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Educational Research by John W. Creswell

Creswell, John W.
Educational research : planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and
qualitative research / John W. Creswell. — 4th ed.
      p. cm.
  Includes bibliographical references and index.
  ISBN-13: 978-0-13-136739-5 (alk. paper)
  ISBN-10: 0-13-136739-0 (alk. paper)
1.  Education—Research—Methodology.    I. Title.
LB1028.C742 2012
370.72—dc22

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Percy Jackson's Greek Gods Quote

It's like Rick Riordan is always conveying his wisdom through the "God". After reading Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, I found this: (Mr. D a.k.a Dionysus speaking)
"You know what would make you feel better? To forgive. You can't hold a grudge forever. If you bottle it up even the finest wine eventually turns to vinegar."

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The House of Hades

The House of Hades is really an amazing novel. Like usual these are amazing sentences I quote from the novel.

Hecate " Janus would have you believe that all choices are black or white, yes or no, in or out. In fact, it’s not that simple. Whenever you reach the crossroads, there are always at least three ways to go…four, if you count going backward."

Favonius " Love is never simple."

Cupid " Love is where you least expect it. It is no game. It is not a flowery softness. It is a hard work -a quest that never ends. It demands everything from you, especially the truth. Only then it yields reward."

However, I am feeling a little bit upset since the author gave Nico, the most favorite hero of mine, a hard path to take. Why did he have to have feeling for Percy? Hmm.. nevermind. Perhaps Reyna could heal his heart in their quest back to Camp Halfblood.

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The 39 Clues: Maze of Bones

39 Clues Book 1

The Maze of Bones

Rick Riordan

Alih bahasa oleh Heniarti Sri Agusta

Untuk Halley dan Patrick, yang menerima tantangan

Bab 1

Lima menit sebelum kematiannya Grace Cahill mengubah wasiatnya.

Pengacaranya membawa versi lain yang merupakan rahasianya yang paling ia jaga selama tujuh tahun terakhir.

Apakah ia cukup gila untuk menggunakan surat wasiat itu, William Mclntyre tidak pernah yakin.

“Madam, tanya nya “ apakah anda yakin?”

Ia memandang ke luar jendela ke arah padang rumput yang disinari matahari sore. Kucingnya, Saladin, meringgkuk manja di sampingnya seperti yang biasa dilakukannya sejak Grace sakit. Namun, kehadirannya saat ini tidaklah cukup untuk membuat Grace merasa tenang, tidak hari ini. Dia akan memulai sesuatu yang mungkin akan mengakhiri peradaban.

“Ya William”, setiap nafasnya terasa menyakitkan. “Aku yakin.”

William membuka segel pada folder kulit berwarna coklat. Ia tinggi dengan tulang rahang yang menonjol. Hidungnya mancung sehingga selalu membuat bayangan pada salah satu bagian wajahnya.  Ia sudah menjadi penasihat Grace, orang teterdekat dan terpercaya selama hampir separuh hidupnya. Mereka sudah berbagi banyak rahasia selama bertahu-tahun, tapi tidak ada yang seberbahaya yang satu ini.

Ia memegang dokumen itu agar Grace dapat memeriksanya. Satu batuk menggetarkan tubuhnya. Saladin mengeong tanda ia khawatir. Ketika batuk itu hilang, William mengambilkan pena untuknya. Ia membubuhkan tanda tangannya dengan lemah di atas kertas itu.

“Mereka masih sangat muda”, ucap William. “ Seandainya saja orang tua mereka …..”

“ Tapi orang tua mereka tidak berhasil”, katanya kecewa. “ Dan sekarang anak-anak itu pasti sudah cukup dewasa. Mereka satu-satunya harapan kita.”

“Jika mereka gagal…….”

“ Usaha selama lima ratus tahun sia-sia”, jawab Grace. “Semuanya hancur, keluarga, dunia….. semuanya”

William mengangguk khawatir. Ia mengambil folder itu dari tangan Grace.

Grace duduk bersandar, mengelus bulu perak Saladin. Pemandangan diluar jendela membuatnya sedih. Hari yang terlalu indah untuk meninggal. Ia ingin piknik bersama anak-anak itu untuk yang terakhir kali. Ia ingin kembali muda dan kuat dan mengelilingi dunia sekali lagi.

Tapi pandangannya kabur, nafasnya sesak. Digenggamya kalung permata Jade –jimat keberuntungan yang ia dapatkan di Cina beberapa tahun yang lalu. Jimat itu sudah menyaksikan begitu banyak kejadian dimana Grace berhasil lolos dari maut. Ya keberuntungan, tapi jimat itu tidak bisa lagi membantunya.

Ia sudah bersiap untuk hari ini. Namun, tetap saja ada banyak hal yang belum ia lakukan. Ada banyak hal yang belum ia ceritakan pada anak-anak itu.

“ Itu seharusnya sudah cukup”, bisiknya. Ia kemudian menutup matanya untuk yang terakhir kalinya.

Ketika ia yakin bahwa Grace Cahill sudah meninggal, William Mclntyre berjalan ke arah jendela dan menutup tirainya. William lebih menyukai kegelapan, nampak lebih cocok dengan urasan yang harus ia tangani.

Pintu di belakangnya terbuka. Kucing Grace mendesis dan bersembunyi di bawah temat tidur.

William tidak menoleh. Ia menatap tanda tangan Grace di atas surat wasiat barunya yang kini menjadi dokumen paling penting dalam sejarah keluarga Cahill.

“ Jadi?”, tanya seseorang dengan suara kasar.

William berbalik. Laki-laki yang berdiri di pintu itu wajahnya terhalang bayangan gelap dan jasnya sehitam minyak mentah.

“ Ini saatnya”, jawab William. “Pastikan mereka tidak curiga.”

William tidak yakin, tapi menurutnya laki-laki berpakaian hitam itu tersenyum.

“Jangan khawatir”, ia berjanji. “Mereka tidak akan mendapatkan petunjuk apapun.”

Bab 2

Menurut Dan Cahill ia memiliki kakak perempuan paling menyebalkan seantero planet. Ini sebelum kakaknya membakar cek senilai dua juta dolar.

Semuanya bermula saat mereka pergi ke upacara pemakaman nenek mereka, Grace Cahill. Secara rahasia, Dan merasa senang karena ia berharap ia bisa menjiplak batu nisan setelah semua orang pergi. Meneurutnya Grace tidak akan peduli. Grace selalu menjadi nenek yang keren.

Dan suka mengoleksi banyak hal. Mulai dari kartu baseball, tanda tangan kriminal terkenal, senjata perang, koin langka,figur dari aktor yang ia perankan sejak TK (ada 12 buah). Saat ini yang paling ia sukai adalah jiplakan batu nisan di atas kertas dengan menggunakan pensil lukis. Semuanya ada di apartemen mereka. Yang paling disukainya adalah

PRUELLA GOODE 

1891-1929 

I'M DEAD. LET'S HAVE A PARTY. (Aku mati. Mari berpesta)

Menurut Dan jika ia punya jiplakan batu nisan Grace sebagai salah satu koleksinya, mungkin ia tidak akan merasa bahwa Grace sudah pergi untuk selamanya.

Sepanjang perjalanan dari Boston ke Worcester County, bibinya –Beatrice mengemudi sangat pelan. Kecepatannya hanya 25 mil per jam.

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The Mark of Athena

Like usual, after reading a book in Percy Jackson series, I would post amazing sentences that I got there. This time in The Book 4 of Second Series: The Mark of Athena.

Here they are:

1. No matter how amazing you were, you couldn’t go around insulting the gods. The Olympians were a reminder that there was always someone better than you, so you shouldn’t get a big head. (Anabeth Chase)
2. Great success comes with great sacrifice. (Nemesis)

 

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Amazing Sentences II

I just finished reading the book two of Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune 2 hours ago. Similar to others, it has amazing sentence. Here are them:

• You don’t have to do what others expect. Let it go and find your own path. You can be anything. Don’t lose hope. Rainbow always stands for hope. (IRIS)

• Life is only precious because it ends, kid. Take it from a god. You mortals don’t know how lucky you are. (MARS- ARES in Greek term)

• You  do  the  easy  thing,  the  appealing  thing,  the peaceful thing, mostly it turns out sour in the end. But if you take the hard path—ah, that’s how you reap the sweet rewards. Duty. Sacrifice. They mean something. (Mars)

Nah, you see, Mars (Ares) had some good sentence in this novel. It, a bit, change my judgement about him. In last 6 book ( I mean novel...ah what ever...), I don't like him. The God of War was annoying; caused trouble. However, in this novel he showed wisdom.

I can't wait to read the third book: The Mark of Athena. I am curious about Juno (Hera) prediction about Annabeth. Is going to be bad? Will she cause problem for Percy?

Then, the biggest thing which make me want to read as soon as possible is the disappearance of Nico di Angelo. Let's hope that Rick Riordan will release it exactly at the time he had promised, Fall 2012,September 2012, or if possible before it. Haha...

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Amazing Sentence I

All right, after I have read five amazing novel by Rick Riordan, I become fond of him. So, I began to read another novel of him, still about Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus. Rick style in writing and his knowledge about ancient Greece and Rome amaze me. I found some amazing sentences from book one of Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero.

• Nothing lasts forever, not even the best machines.( Hephaestus)

• Beauty is about finding the right fit, the most natural fit. To be perfect, you have to feel perfect about yourself—avoid trying to be something you’re not. (Aphrodite)

• Love is the most powerful motivator in the world. It spurs mortal to greatness. Their noblest, bravest acts are done for love. (Aphrodite)

OK,since I think this novel is, again, amazing, I suggest you to read it. 

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