Book Buzz: Memoirs of A Geisha

So I bought this book last year but only started reading it last month and all I can say is that Memoirs of A Geisha is a page turner, well, at least for me. I love how the author managed to keep my interest in Nitta Sayuri's life and her journey in becoming a geisha. I also can't help to notice how he used abundant of symbolism, foreshadows and etc in his writing which in my opinion, is brilliant. I used to study Literature and finding all of these in a novel kind of excites me. 

I was so immersed into this novel that I didn't realize that I've finished around four to five chapters in just a couple of hours. So that totally says something considering the fact that I'm not an avid reader. But there are also parts of the novel that I feel like 'unnecessary' and I actually skipped a few paragraphs, but that's just it. Most of the time, I was really into it. 

Overall, I would definitely say that this is one of best novels I read so far, not that I have read too many anyways haha. Rating: 4/5 stars; minus one star since there are parts of the novel that didn't manage to keep me interested for a short while. 

3) What Are Your Top 5 Pet Peeve | 30 Day Blog Challenge

What's a pet peeve? Well, pet peeve is basically something that bothers or annoys you completely, something that you just can't stand. So here's my top five pet peeve, as far as I'm concerned;

1) Public spitting 

• I have no trouble with people spitting but I do have problems with people who spit in public. No offence, but guys tend to do this. They just recklessly spitting on the road or walkway without minding the fact that anyone could have stepped on your freaking spit. That's just gross. Go and spit inside the sink or wherever appropriate. Or if you can't find a sink, spit on a tissue and throw it away in the bin afterwards. 

2) Leaving the bedroom door open

• Oh this is not my major pet peeve but I do find it pretty disturbing when people went into my room and when they left, they didn't seem to care to close the door properly. Or worse, they just left it wide open. I don't know, but I like to keep my bedroom's door closed. It makes me feel, safe? Whatever, just close the door if you enter my room, thank you haha. But this doesn't annoy me or gets me angry but I'm just not fond of it.

3) Constantly shaking the legs

• Do you know the seats that are kinda like stick together in a row and you can just feel it's shaking when someone is nervous and just seem to shake their legs without stopping? Is it called shaking legs? It doesn't sound right though, but I hope you know what I mean. So, I find it distracting, that's all. It's not annoying, it's simply distracting haha

4) Cutting line or queue

• I do find it annoying when people cut a line without any reason. Back when I was travelling in Italy, we were queuing to board the plane and the line is quite long. Then come this one family from the Eastern countries I believe, they cut the line and just go straight to the front without minding all of us who were patiently lining up. Yes, I know they have a baby. But dude, the baby wasn't crying or throwing a tantrum or anything. They could've just wait in the line like the rest of us or they could've lined up earlier if they need to board faster. But no, they didn't.  They just decide to cut the line. So, I just find it as rude. Like, where's your manner? Hm.

5) People go through my stuff with permission

• Oh this one is a big no for me. I don't like it when people touch or go through my stuff without permission. I'm not okay with that. As long as you have my permission, then do whatever you want to do. Just ask for a permission. Just ask. I don't bite. :)

Oh I don't like this question honestly, it makes me look as if I whine a lotttt. Sigh. Anyway, what's your pet peeve?

Bits and Pieces

I take photos all the time and there are photos that I love but never got the chance to upload them anywhere. So I guess blog is the best place to share them.

1) Cruising along the Mediterranean coast in Antalya, Turkey

2) Rowntree Park, York. It's spring now, maybe it's time for me to take out the camera again :)

3) Some friends visited York a few months ago.

4) A small secluded cafe under the Lendal Bridge, York.

5) Morning sun from the Museum Garden.

Photos taken using Nikon D3200 and iPhone 6

Beauty Box Review | BirchBox Unboxing

For those who don't know, Beauty Box is a box consists of 5-6 samples beauty products ranging from makeup to skincare and body/nails/hair. The items are random but there will be a list of what you might receive in your box. So if you see some products that you are interested in, just place your order and wait for the delivery. When you have received it, you can give all the products a try and see if it suits you. If it does, then you can go ahead and purchase the product at a full price size. Well, the reason why a beauty box is great is because you'll get the chance to try a product first before deciding whether to buy it. So you'll save your money without buying a product but ended up not liking what you purchased. Does that make sense? Okay good. 

So April Birch Box's packaging is so prettyyyy that I had to get it. I'm a sucker when it comes to packaging, mind you. And in case you don't know, UniDays has this 50% off code for the first Birch Box that you order and I've been saving it for the month that I'm interested in. And finally, I used it the other day on the April box. 

Here's a mini review on products included in April's box that I've tried:

Benefits Liquid Hoola Bronzer - Easy to blend and smells very nice

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse - Makes my skin hydrated but I still prefer my organic olive oil

Kueshi Foot Care Cream - Sinks into the skin fast but the smell of tea tree is quite strong

Cynthia Rowley Black Eyeliner - Stays on my lids but smudges a little bit

Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Mosturizing Shampoo - Haven't tried it yet but it smells good 

Beaver Professional Hydro Nutritive Mosturizing Conditioner - Haven't tried it yet

You can subscribe the box monthly for £10 + £2.95 P&P at https://www.birchbox.co.uk

Enjoy your treats! :)