Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Of late, I'd been on a crazy Lisa Kleypas book frenzy. I'm a sucker for predictable romance novels where the hero is a brooding, hunky, muscled, rich man and the heroine is this gorgeous, curvy, blond-haired girl who's unaware of her own beauty. What can I say? I love fairy tales. :)

But I recently discovered this touching, atypical romance novel while looking for books to read on Amazon. I don't usually go for love stories that have unusual plots, but the description of Jojo Moyes' Me Before You sounded so interesting -- a girl who needed money takes a job as companion to a formerly outdoorsy, active man who's now a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair.

I loved the slow dance between the two characters, how they thought, and how they fell in love. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. It also made me think of Tin. This is definitely a book I'd want to read again.

Snap of the day

This is what my fourth cycle of the Wendler 5/3/1 looks like.

Strength with a side of coffee

I started following this strength program last year and it must be working because I feel that I've gained strength and that my form has improved. It also gives me a chance to face my fears. Believe it or not, I talk to the bar before every lift: "I can and I will lift you. Be afraid!" Ya, I'm weird like that.

Weekend hangover

It's already Wednesday and I still have a hangover from my weekend in Batangas. Someone please take me back to the beach!

In the company of the fit single people I work out with, I had an epiphany. In addition to all the qualities I would like in a guy, he also has to believe in fitness like I do. I realized that when I saw this post on instagram:

Not that I have big muscles like those gorgeous female CrossFit athletes you see on YouTube, but you get my drift. I don't like guys who smoke and lead a sedentary lifestyle. He doesn't have to do CrossFit, but he must be into physical activities -- running, cycling, BJJ, zumba, whatever. So thanks, CrossFit for ruining me and setting the bar even higher.

This makes me wish I could dance

I'm almost done watching Season 8 of So You Think You Can Dance, but I don't want it to end! I've seen several seasons of this show and Season 8 is easily my favorite so far. I love all of the Top 10 dancers and they always seem to be having such a good time. I also love that there are a couple of Filipinos in this season (Marko and Tadd).

This routine by Marko and Melanie is my favorite. I love the story and the acting. No surprise that it was choreographed by Nappytabs - they always come up with the coolest hip-hop routines.

This routine made me appreciate the song even more. It always makes me smile, makes me wish I could dance, and it makes me believe in love! I watch it every time I need a pick-me-upper.

Angry Birds Star Wars? Yes, please!

Mig loves (read: is addicted to) this version of the game, so much so that he drew his own version of it in the sketch pad I gave him. I have to say, it's much better than the original, and worth its $2.99 price.