I went to the Book Fair last Sunday and drowned myself there. I bought novels worth 42 bucks in total. They were all brand new and outrageously cheap ($3-$8). I had to control myself. It was gonna be a waste cos they were gonna burn them all to ashes anyway. Stoopid. Why can't they just donate these good books to schools or children's homes or something?

Anyway, I looked at those cotton candy sweet romantic novels and I said to myself there is no way I'm gonna buy any of those rubbish. They are so sickening. Then that's where controversy decided to kick in you see. I came across this book by Laura Doyle, The Surrendered Single. Here are some extracts from the book (of cos I didn't type them all you dodos, I got them from her webbie):

Part of what keeps you single is lack of faith. The other part is fear of the unknown.

All of this is about control. If you haven't gone out on a date in a long time you might be telling yourself that men just don't approach you, when really you've been trying to control who asks you out. Maybe you've been so focused on a man who shows little interest that you're missing out on other opportunities to date because your field of vision is so narrow. Avoiding eye contact with men, refusing offers for blind dates and running off before a guy has a chance to get your phone number are examples of trying to protect yourself with control.

Women often protect themselves from disappointment and vulnerability by flaunting their independence. How many times have you thought, "I don't need anybody to take care of me" or "I can handle this?" Strength is attractive, but hard-nosed independence sends a "get away" message to those who want to approach you.

Vulnerability makes us approachable and attractive (and I thought, "Ah?") because it's a gift to the person we're with. It's an unspoken compliment that says, "I trust you to be gentle when I put down my armor. I feel safe with you." When someone gives me such a gift, my instinct is to be tender so as to reassure her that I understand the honor. Vulnerability will draw me to someone in a way that appearing invincible never could because I identify with the humanity and authenticity. To appear perfect is to keep your defenses up, which means others can't see and love the real you.

Hmm... Interesting, sounds like me, I said. So I grabbed the book and put it in my basket. Maybe it's true what she said that we should be feminine and vulnerable. In short, be a normal girl. Aiyah... it's such a bloody hassle lah. When my sister's friend said I looked demure, I laughed right in front of her face. She hasn't met Miss Hyde yet, I told her and continued eating my ayam percik.

All this people like to judge a book by its cover... it's not always accurate you know. Hmm... if I showed Ydah the book, you think she'll vomit blood?
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Quote from Cosino de Gregio: "Beware the flatterer. He feeds you with an empty spoon."



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