Am I still a blogger? Yes! I totally am and now I'm back ^^

I'm back!

Hey guys... So um, I'm back ^^ Okay, I know I've been gone for a looong time. In fact, my last post was a Halloween themed one. HALLOWEEN guys!!! That's like more than four months ago. What can I say? I thought I could juggle university life and blogging easily. Well, turns out I was wrong!

So where the hell have I been?

So for those of you who don't know, I'm currently doing my Masters abroad. So right now, I'm living and studying in Malaysia. I'm from Mauritius by the way, for those of you who are new here ^^ I might write a post about my life here and share some snapshots of Malaysia and my uni. So let me know if that's something you'd like to see.

Why did I suddenly stop blogging?

I used to blog super frequently back when I was still doing my Bachelor degree, uploading new posts almost twice a week. So when I decided to do my Masters, I didn't think it would affect my blog too much. After all, a Master degree can't be that different from a Bachelor degree, right? *Sigh* Boy, was I naive back then! 

My course being a research-based one, I don't have exams. And while I love that, it also means that I get lots of assignments and research papers to write. And it didn't take that long for me to realize that this was going to seriously affect my blogging. In fact, for many months, I was so overwhelmed by everything - life abroad, living on my own for the first time, the studies - that I didn't even read as much as I used do.

When blogging started to feel like a chore...

So yeah, with my time taken by my studies, blogging was starting to become tedious. In fact, it got to a point where it felt like work. And I don't know about you, but when a hobby starts to feel like a chore, that's when I can't do it anymore. And I didn't want to feel that way about blogging. 

I wasn't enjoying blogging simply because I didn't have the time I would have wanted to spend on it. So instead of struggling with it like with a difficult assignment, I told myself that I would take a break from my blog and only return to it when my life was a bit more under control and I could devote my full love and attention to it.

It's good to be back guys ^^

Now that I'm in my third uni semester and I've gotten a little better at the whole 'living by myself in a foreign country' thing, I feel confident enough to finally get back to blogging. I've also been reading more lately. But more on that in next posts ^^

What can you expect from my blog now?

I have a lot of exciting posts for you guys in store and I'm very happy to be preparing and writing them for you. But most importantly, I missed my friends from the blogsphere. So I'm also really happy to reconnect with all of you people of the Internets.

This year, I'm reading a bunch of new and exciting stuff like more mangas, comics and graphic novels, more classics and a bunch of new series including Goosebumps, which I've decided to read ENTIRELY. So you can expect my content to be a little different from my old posts. But what's never going to change is my undying love for books. So do expect lots of fangirling on my part for old and new favorites in future posts.

Leave me a comment and let's catch up with some chitchat ^^

Comment down below to share your thoughts with me! You can tell me what you've been reading, share a link to your latest post or just drop me a line for some random chitchat. Or even just say hi ^^ 

So until next time, take care and read on 💛

What I'm currently reading

Hi guys! I'm finally back with a new blog post... yeh ^^ Seriously, I missed the blog so much this past month! But I couldn't really help it either. I just had too much university work to do to be able to focus on the blog. Honestly, it's not just the blogging that had to take a back burner, but my reading as well. So yeah, I really missed the blog as well as my books this past month... Not to mention you guys ^^

And so, today, I thought I would ease back into blogging with a simple enough post. So here are all the things that I'm currently reading!

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

I've just been in a mood for children classics lately and this is one of my latest purchases. It's also a book that I'm thoroughly enjoying so far. In fact, I highly recommend you give this one a go. If you're not familiar with Dodie Smith, she's also the author of the 101 Dalmatians, the same book that inspired the Disney movies. Also, this Vintage Classics edition of the book is just beautiful.

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The story is narrated by a young girl, Cassandra, as she writes a diary recollecting what's going on in her life. Her father, who published a best-selling book years ago and who has since never written anything, now just stays at home and read detective stories. Her beautiful elder sister, Rose, is desperate to get married just to escape their wretched life. Topaz, their father's second wife and their artistic stepmother occasionally goes to commune with nature wearing only her wellington boots. This unusual family lives in an old, crumbling castle. Once their father had purchased it with views to renovate it. But with the money from the book earnings gone, they have since then sunk into deep poverty. One day though, new neighbors from America, two young and rich brothers, show up in their little town and very soon, all their lives begin to change.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I've been slowly savouring this one, like one savours a box of chocolates. I read this when I'm waiting for class to start since I'm always a bit early. My edition, which is in French, is very light and floppy, which makes carrying it around on campus easy. I've been reading a little of it before each class but now I'm almost done with it, which honestly makes me a bit sad.

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The mysterious and eccentric chocolate maker Willy Wonka has decided to invite 5 children to explore his fantastical factory. Five Golden Tickets have been hidden in his Wonka bars and the children need to find those to be allowed inside the factory. Charlie Bucket comes from a very poor family and so, never expected to get any chocolate at all, much less one with one of the Golden Tickets. However, after an unexpected turn of events, Charlie manages to buy two Wonka bars and upon opening the second, he finds a glimmer of gold under the wrapping…

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

I started reading this in July and while it's really good, it's also quite the slow read. Usually I'm fine with Murakami's slow pacing but picking this book in the middle of the assignment period was not a very good idea. I read almost half of it but haven't picked it up in a while. I do plan to continue with it soon though.

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Toru Okada's cat has disappeared, his wife is growing more distant every day and he’s been getting mysterious, unsettling phone calls. As the story unfolds, Toru embarks on a strange journey, full of new acquaintances who each have a story to tell. This is a typical magical realism novel by Murakami, which is best enjoyed by going into it without knowing too much. Not to mention that no synopsis would ever do justice to the weird and amazing plot of this book.

The Child Thief by Brom

In the past year, I've realized that I've developed a soft spot for Peter Pan retellings. They don't even have to be the best books ever written. So long they are fun, I want to read them. So when I heard of this book, which is often described as a dark retelling of Peter Pan, I knew I had to read it. I've read about 40% of it and so far I'm really enjoying it. However, I was reading it around the time I had to return to Malaysia from my semester break, which I spent back home in Mauritius, and in between traveling and moving back into the dorm and beginning the second semester, I kind of stopped reading Child Thief. I want to go back to reading it soon though. Hopefully next month I'll pick it up again!

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When the charismatic and mysterious Peter saves him from a bunch of drug dealers who’ve been preying on his family, Nick believes he’s finally found a friend in the midst of his wretched, miserable life. When Peter asks him if he wants to join him in a land full of faeries and monsters, Nick thinks his new friend is just kidding and plays along in what he thinks is just a joke. Soon, Nick finds himself trapped in this land which is not only very real, but also very dangerous. As he’s unwittingly dragged into a centuries old war, the story of Peter’s dark past is slowly revealed.

The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton

This one I was listening to on audiobook while working on assignments. I loved the Magic Faraway Tree series as a kid and this is the first book in the series. It's still as enjoyable as I remember it being many years ago. I just need to start listening to it again where I left off, especially since it's narrated by Kate Winslet, who did an amazing job with it.

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Jo, Bessie and Fanny’s family have just moved in a new home in the countryside. One day, after exploring the surroundings, the children come across a magical tree that grows in what they soon find is called the Enchanted Wood. The children thus go on many adventures together, meeting the magical residents of the tree along the way, and exploring the top of the tree where almost each day, a new land appears.

Watchmen by Alan Moore

During my break I was in the mood for watching movies and I ended up watching a lot of them, one of which was Watchmen. I know people have mixed feelings about it but I really enjoyed it. So afterwards, I thought I would give the original comics a go since I love reading graphic novels and comics. I've only read the first 2 issues and so far I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to reading the rest, as well as the prequel comics 'Before Watchmen'. 

In a world where superheroes are not only known to all, but have also been outlawed, one group of ex-superheroes are forced to face a world they once left forever when some of them begin to fall prey to a mysterious assassin. What follows next is a story as unique as it is riveting, bringing you a superhero story unlike anything you probably read before.

So that's it for today's post guys. What book or books are you currently reading? Let me known down in the comments ^^

My previous post: 10 Reasons Why You Should Read This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

My next post: Upcoming book releases I'm excited for!

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My 100th Blog Post! (Which ended up becoming a freestyle post because I suck at time management XD)

Hi guys! Today's post is a really exciting one because... it's my 100th post ^^ 

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So back when I noticed I was nearing the 100th post, I thought it would be fun to do something special on the blog to celebrate. Right?? But then it began to rain assignments and suddenly I wasn't even blogging as much as I used to. Don't even get me started on my reading! Sometimes, I... I... I go for entire weeks without reading... *Gasp*

So yeah, my 100th post is finally here and to be honest, I haven't planned anything special to celebrate. So instead, I just decided to write something completely freestyle. I never do this but then again, it's kind of fun to just write whatever I feel like. (Heavens, the editing this post will need afterwards XD).

Firstly, how about a little life update? 

We're nearing the end of the first semester here (already?!) and the workload is crazier than ever. I haven't been able to do much sightseeing here in Malaysia because... workload, again. I've also been mostly busy getting the hang of things. Living by myself, keeping myself fed (fun times!) and cleaning stuff (which I hate doing!). It doesn't help that I'm a super lazy person who sucks at basic housekeeping... partly because I had never really washed dishes or done laundry before moving abroad for uni...

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How about the fun part? The STUDYING?? 

Surprisingly, I'm actually enjoying my studies. And that people, is something I've never, EVER, said before. I used to hate uni when doing my Bachelor degree. And don't get me started on my high school days! But here, the lecturers are really nice and for the first time in a looong time, I find myself in an environment where people actually appreciate the work I do. So I guess that's what keeps me motivated. So yeah, with regards to the studying, things have been quite good and yep, even with the hardcore schedule. 

So how do I spend my days here?

I've been around the city a little bit but to be honest, I haven't been able to see much of Malaysia so far. I made some friends here but none of them live on campus so it does get a little lonely here sometimes. However, I keep myself busy with work and reading whenever I can and so far it's not that bad. Lately, I've picked up journaling and that has been super fun. Maybe I'll write a post about journaling at some point. It's become a favorite hobby of mine and it's also been helping me record memories and save little things I've collected so far, like for example a verrry long receipt from a bookshop that I completely fell in love with here ^^

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And now a word about blogging...

I love it. I always will. I might not have as much time as I used to for it but blogging is something I still enjoy a lot and I'll always find some time to squeeze in a new post in my crazy schedule. I haven't been able to write all the fun stuff I had planned for the last few months but I've been saving them for later and I promise I have lots of cool posts planned for you guys. Plus, it's really nice to know that no matter how hectic or crazy my life gets, on the other side of the screen I still have you guys ^^ So thanks for reading my blog. Thanks also for your friendship. It means a lot to me ♥

Okay, writing a post completely freestyle was actually kind of fun. I hope you enjoyed it! Until next time, happy reading ^^

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I'm taking a blogging break!

Hi guys! Today I have a quick announcement post for you. In a recent post, I talked about how I'll soon be moving abroad to Malaysia to do my Master degree there. If you want to know more about what I'll be studying and where I'll be living, you can click here to read that post.

Since I'll be busy moving in my dorm and getting started both at uni and in Malaysia over the next few days or weeks, I've decided that it would be best to take a short break from blogging. 

So, how long will this blogging break be?

I'll be arriving in Malaysia on the 26th. On the same day I'm landing in Malaysia I'll have to go to the university to do all the admission stuff. So yeah, I guess that I'll be rather busy over the next few days or so and I don't even know when I'll be able to check my blog or even get connected to the WiFi. 

So right now, I plan to be on a break for roughly 3-4 weeks. I'll most probably be back on the 20th of June with my next post and I will resume blogging normally after that date. 

What about replying to comments?

While I won't be able to reply to your comments right away, I will definitely be reading them as you post them and I will reply to all of them! It'll just take a little longer than usual ^^ 

And what about commenting on other blogs and posts??

As to commenting on my fellow blogger friends' posts, that will also be a little delayed but once I get back from my break, I promise I'll catch up on all your blogs ^^

So that's pretty much all I had to say in this post. As I said at the beginning of the post, it is a pretty short one! However, as soon as I'm back from my break, I'll be posting lots of new posts that I've been very excited to put together and show you. So see you guys soon ^^

Cover art by Of Stacks and Cups via Pagemodo

My 1 Year Blog Anniversary: Thank You Notes!

Hi guys! Today it's my 1 year blog anniversary ^^ Woohoo! In today's post, I want to say thank you. Simply and honestly :) 

Whew, I can't believe it's been one year already! When I first started this blog, on the 18th of February 2015, I didn't really know what I was doing. I kind of sleepwalked my way into creating this blog. I'm not kidding. It was like 1 o'clock in the morning or something. Just a few hours less and my anniversary would actually be on a completely different date XD

My Thank You Notes

To: My Lovely Fellow Bloggers

Firstly, I have to thank my fellow blogger friends. It's from you guys that I learnt the gist of blogging! Many of you were very forthcoming with tips and encouraging messages, which was really lovely of you. It took me some time to get the hang of things but your support and comments definitely gave me the push to keep learning and posting, so thank you lovely bloggers ^^ 

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To: My readers and followers

I must also thank you, my readers and followers. After all, without all your comments and feedback, writing and posting wouldn't be as meaningful as it now is. So thank you for taking an interest in what I have to say and for following Of Stacks and Cups!

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To: The loveliest of families and my friends 

I can't complete this round of thank you notes without mentioning my family and friends. Thanks dad for often being the first person to read my newest post. And thanks mum for listening to my troubles and encouraging me, even when you have no idea what I'm blabbing about. And of course, thanks Pooja for being such a lovely and supportive sister ^^ 

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Thanks Kenita for making me believe I could do it! Thanks for sharing my posts and being such a supportive follower back when I had almost no followers. Titia, Megs, Ashna and Jess, thanks for being among the first visitors on my blog! Titia, I wasn't sure my reviews were actually helping anyone until you said you enjoyed reading them. I had even temporarily given up on them but following one of our conversation, I started writing them again. Basically, thanks for being there ladies! 

So that's it for this blog anniversary post guys. Can you guess what my next post will be? My birthday post!!! Yep, my blog and I actually have our birthdays just a few days apart. So look forward for that post and as always, your comments are much appreciated!

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Cover art by Of Stacks and Cups via Pagemodo

How I organize my blog

Hi guys! Today I want to share with you some tips to help you get more organized and make your blogging more efficient. Back when I had just started this blog, I didn't plan ahead much and would write post sometimes only a few hours before they were due to be posted. Now, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of spontaneity but with life getting more hectic later during the year, I quickly found that this freestyle approach to my blogging was becoming a little strained. So, after a few months of blogging, I began to change the way I plan and organize my posts. 

Whether you're a new blogger or you've been blogging for some time now and want to make things more efficient, I hope you'll find these tips useful ^^

Keep a blog journal

It doesn't have to be anything fancy so long you have something where you can jot down blog post ideas and quick post drafts. I use this beautiful cloth bound journal covered in dragon patterns that I bought in Hong Kong during my 2014 Christmas vacation there. The purpose of a journal is to give you a place where you can store all your ideas and bits and pieces of writing that cross your mind. Once you have all of your thoughts and ideas in one place, later, it'll be easy for you to reference to them when writing a blog post. Like I said, your journal doesn't have to be overly fancy. However, things that visually appeal to us are more likely to motivate us. So if you're going to be using a journal, you might as well pick one that'll motivate you to use it ^^

Make lists of ideas

You can list down all the blog post ideas that come to your mind in your journal so that when you need to write a post, you only need to pluck an idea from your list. You can add to your lists ideas inspired by other blogs and YouTube videos, Pinterest boards and things you come across in your everyday life. You can have different lists for different categories of posts. You enjoy doing tags? Why not make a list of all the cool tags you enjoy? Thus, whenever you feel like writing a tag post, you'll can have your pick from all those in your list. You can have different lists of ideas to cover as many topics and post categories as you choose. You can use color tags or sticky notes to index your various lists in your journal to make the referencing easier for you.

Use a planner or an agenda

Once you have all your ideas in one place, it's easy to allocate specific posts to specific dates. Aside from my journal, I use a planner where I write the specific post titles I want to publish on specific dates. I usually publish around 7 posts every month. So whenever I'm planning a particular month's post schedule, I simply pick out 7 post ideas that I'd like to do from my journal and decide on which day I want to do each of them. Thus, when I open my planner to a particular month, I know at a glance what are the posts I need to write for that month.

Write your posts in advance

Having your posts already planned for the month makes it simple to write them in advance. You already know what you need to write about so there's no need to spend hours browsing Pinterest boards for blog post ideas. I usually have around 4 posts written in advanced and ready to be published. I spend a couple of days during the week working on the upcoming month's posts and then I take a break from writing during the remaining days of the week. I use that free time to catch up and comment on the posts of other blogs I enjoy reading. Whether you're still studying and you have assignments creeping on you unexpectedly or life suddenly just gets crazy, having at least one or two pre-written posts can help you account for those days where you simply don't have time to sit down and write a full post.

So those were a few tips on how you can organize your blog to make it more efficient. I hope you found these useful. If you have other tips for me, feel free to share them with me in the comments! Happy blogging guys ^^

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Cover art by Of Stacks and Cups via Pagemodo