Monday, July 21, 2014

59th Diamond: Eleanor & Park



I had to be honest, the cover kinda got my attention. It just looked cute.

But nooo, the real reason why I read this book was because it was on the best selling shelf and to be honest, I am not disappointed. It's a book with lots of drama of course, but a good book nevertheless. I love how the main character is not the typical pretty school girl and the villains are all actually nice, except for Eleanor's step father which I will explain more later on.

It is basically a story on first love, the first experiences, and life dramas. I guess this book is recommended for those who have experienced it so that its like reliving the memories; however, I will not recommend this book to those who are currently trying to move on. NO, DON'T READ THIS BOOK. 

Continuing on with the plot summary

The story is told from a third person point of view, but the view changes from Eleanor's point and Park's. The setting is in Omaha, and both of the characters are 16 years old. Aah, the age of raging hormones.

First things first, our main character Eleanor has a step dad, a beautiful mother, and few siblings. She is fat and has red hair. Flaming curly red hair. Eleanor's dad is very abusive and most of the time drunk, which kinda explains why Eleanor and her siblings are always cowering in fear at home. It was also later revealed that the step dad wanted to violate Eleanor. He already started terrorizing her through writing dirty words in her textbook.

Park, was a half Korean and half caucasian, Irish I think. He's kind of cool and he lives in a well being family, compared with Eleanor's. Park and Eleanor first met in the school bus. The bus was also where they got close. It started with when Park realized Eleanor was reading the comic book he was reading as well as they sat side by side. He then started lending the comic books to Eleanor and she would always return it crisp and clean after she reads it. From then it proceeds to small discussion on music and not long after, they kind of get together. 

c: heyteenbookshey.tumblr

There wasn't really a "Would you be my girlfriend?" moment. They just grew close and even went on several dates. Park's mother kind of questioned Park's taste regarding Eleanor, but in the end, she supported the relationship. Eleanor kept seeing Park without her mother or step father knowing. If they knew about it, her step father would grew furious. So all she did was lie and told them that she went to her friend's house, Tina. While the truth is Tina is a bully in school. 

c: pinterest

Everything went well until one night, Eleanor's stash of gifts is found out by her step dad. At that moment, she ran away. Park helped her ran away with the approval of his father, as well as Tina who can actually relate with her. They then went to Eleanor's uncle's house which was in another place and Eleanor stayed there, without contacting Park until both of them have grown up. During the years Eleanor didn't contact Park, Park kept waiting. And in the end, it was only said that there was a postcard from Eleanor with only 3 words in it.

Fin

What I love about the book is how I can actually imagine the world the characters are living in. Not my favorite world, but a vivid world nevertheless. The book wasn't really that long either. BUT I can't say this is a must read. It's a good book, a good read, but not a must. Maybe because I'm not a fan of characters who have complicated backgrounds. I'll give it a 3.5/5.

c: pandanemar.tumblr
That would be it for my Eleanor and Park review. The next book I'm already reading is John Green's An Abundance of Katherines. I like how John Green thinks. Really, I do. He's a nerd you might say, but he's a cool nerd. Like he is really good in articulating. That's why I've decided to read another book of his. Of course, it is not as good as The Fault in Our Stars, maybe....I don't know haven't finished the book yet. So far 6 chapters and it's been good. Typical John Green but good. Look forward to its review! 

Sincerely yours,

Alicia. V

Monday, July 14, 2014

58th Diamond: Shirokuma


A WHITE BEAR

That is basically what Shirokuma means ;) yes, literally


JUST LOOK AT THAT CUTENESS


*official new obsession: polar bears*

Okay back to the main point, today I will be reviewing the new dessert bar located at Pantai Indah Kapuk called SHIROKUMA. Thus explaining the polar bear intro....

It's a nice quaint cafe and I love the interior. So many wood interiors that makes the place comfy. WOOT. I LOVE MINIMALISTIC WOOD INTERIOR. I am truly sorry that I wasn't able to take photos of the cafe, cause it was really crowded and I had to wait 1 hour to actually get a table. The place was nice and the service was really friendly; however, it's still slow. The typical problem of a newly opened cafe or restaurant: slow service. This might be because it was too crowded and the waitresses are just tired, or they are just not used to it yet. BUT, they were really friendly, which in my opinion is a BIG PLUS. 

So what did my friends and I ordered? 

1. Twist soft cream



Who the hell would go to a green tea dessert cafe and not order their green tea ice cream? People with diabetes of course. No offence to those who have one really, get well soon. There are 3 types of soft serve ice cream on the menu: vanilla, matcha, or twist (matcha & vanilla). Reminds you of the A&W ice cream you can get in malls doesn't it? Opinion on the matcha ice cream would be IT IS DELICIOUS. It's not too sweet and the taste of the matcha is just perfectly subtle. The vanilla ice cream is just typical vanilla. I'm definitely gonna come here just to buy their soft serve and leave. And I'm not shittin you. The price of a soft serve is Rp. 15.000.


2. Snow affogato


Some of you might be familiar with the term "affogato." "Affogato" is basically vanilla ice cream with fresh espresso poured on it. In Shirokuma, they have snow affogato. Then what is the snow? COTTON CANDY. They actually put a big fluffy cotton candy on top of the ice cream bowl and we pour the espresso on it. Might get a little bit messy but DAMN it was nice. The price of a snow affogato is Rp. 35.000.


3. Taste plate


I honestly forgot what this menu was called...truly sorry. But it sounds something like "taste plate." Don't worry, you'll know it when you see the menu there. It basically contains what they put in the parfait but this time separated. Consists of red bean, mochi, green tea cake, and a soft cream serve of your choice. The red bean was sweet but goes perfect with the ice cream, mochi was average, green tea cake was a little bit dry but the ice cream makes it way better, and the ice cream is just PLAIN DELISH. I am a hardcore ice cream fan aren't I...I forgot the price but pretty sure it was around 30-35k.

They also have other things on the menu such as shaker fries (which I promise I will try the next time I visit Shirokuma again), hot dogs, parfaits, anmitsu, and typical beverages. All of the prices are subjected to 10% tax and 5% service. As for my opinion on the pricing, it's pretty normal for a place in PIK. Considerable-ish.

The location of the Shirokuma cafe is right across Warung Rawit. It's in the Rukan Crown Golf Blok A. If it's kind of hard to find, just walk around Fat Bubble, it's just a few stores from there. 

It's been a while since the last time I did a food review didn't I? HAHAH. As for books, I am currently reading Eleanor & Park. It's allright and will most probably be reviewed. 

That would be it for my review of Shirokuma Cafe in PIK, Jakarta. Thank you for reading and I'll see you in my next post!

Sincerely yours,

Alicia. V

all photo credits go to my friend: Noviana 
Thank you love XOXO