Cool as a Cucumber

Tuesday Thoughts: Sink or Float

2011-11-08T20:29:00.001+08:00

I will never really figure out what this blog is for. No theme. No particular style. Just ideas and thoughts floating about.

Mood Board #3

2011-06-28T22:29:00.002+08:00

'Tis the season for change. We're almost halfway through the year and it's about the right time for a new mood board.

The height of stress at work seems never to have a ceiling. It just keeps going further into vertical abyss. But the one thing that keeps me going is the afternoon break. It's when I get to set aside my work and enjoy a little bit of heaven in my little corner at the office.

My new mood board is inspired by the one treat my taste buds will never tire of savoring. The mere thought of chocolates makes me all giddy inside.

Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards.
I remember reading that from my aunt's night gown.

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. Photos courtesy of Maitre Chocolatier

Test

2011-06-26T22:44:00.001+08:00

1, 2, 3...

Just trying it out for my Dad. Let's see if this thing really works.

Everyday Ordinary Heroes

2011-06-20T17:06:00.006+08:00

Yesterday was the 150th birthday anniversary of our country's national hero, Jose Rizal. My family and I were talking about him when my brother asked, "Do you think he was aware he was going to be a hero for what he did or was he just doing what he believed was right and fighting for the country?" To which my Dad answered it was probably the latter.

But despite being recognized (internationally, in fact), I still could not count him in my roster of heroes. Yes, I am well-aware of all his accomplishments and I have utmost respect for what he's done for the country, but I can't relate my life with him. He seemed too accomplished and too high-up to reach.

Which brings me to the thought that these days the term 'hero' is used a lot more often. Some people respectably attribute the title to a public figure, or loosely assign it to a comic book character, or honorably give it to a personal encounter, friend or relative. Makes me wonder what it is about heroes that most people feel the need to have one.

I know little of politics and I'm not a comic-lover so I can't speak for these people. I'm more the type who associates hero qualities with people who are close to my heart. People who have really made an impact on me. In that sense, heroes become more realistic and easier to reach. Surely there will be people who can relate with me when I say that it isn't so much fun looking up to someone you couldn't talk to or ask advice from. It made dreams painful, because they felt unattainable.

Hence, my personal encounters are my heroes because I really knew these people. I knew what they went through. There was no filter or editor to erase all the non-romanticized parts of their lives. I knew that they struggled and I saw how they rose up. I saw their guilt-stricken faces, their remorse, and their fulfillment upon overcoming a problem. Emotions make hero stories real to me. Personally, it gives the ideal a whole new dimension of realism. The one I hadn't seen in other kinds of heroes.

These are the heroes that have so much power over the decisions I make. The truth of their character tells me that they know what they're talking about. They have the experience I have yet to go through. It's a lot like looking at the wisdom of the ages from a closer perspective.

I choose heroes who are close to me because they pull my dreams closer. And it is from my understanding that heroes present a portion of the ideal we want to attain. They remind me that dreams are not meant to stay as dreams. They are meant for me to bring them into reality. Heroes use dreams to shape us into becoming heroes ourselves.

I like heroes who allow people to believe they can be like one of them. They're not too far-fetched or imagined.

If only I got to live in the time of Rizal and had the chance to meet the guy. Haha!

*Disclaimer: Make no mistake about it, I recognize Jose Rizal as the Philippine National Hero. He did a lot of things for our country. He contributed a lot to society. I'm simply talking about my life heroes.

Hanggang sa muli!

Wednesday Work: 8 Ways to Take up Residence in the Office

2011-06-02T22:48:00.009+08:00

Warning/Tip: This is a 3-page post (according to MS Word 2007). For the lazy, read only the text in bold and italics plus the one following the *. =P

I noticed a funny thing unfold in the course of my employment. I kept leaving more things in the office as I started growing more accustomed to my environment. I realized that this is my way of taking up residence in the office.

These are the 8 ways that maybe even you have done to lay claim on your space at work.

Bring a notebook to leave in the office.

The Notebook is essential for your survival with the high volume of demands from the boss.

This was the first item I brought to the office and decided to leave after only several days. In the office (and I think in most other offices too), it’s important to have a pen & notebook at hand when talking to the bosses. Asking repetitively for instructions gives the boss a bad impression of you. He’d much rather see your head glued to the paper (with the exception of occasional eye contact and several nods) while taking note of what he's telling you. It’s more effective than nodding your head and going off only to realize you forgot half of what he said.

*Pen & Paper will do if you don’t have a notebook at hand when the boss calls for an urgent meeting.

Keep meds in case of health concerns.

The Meds are important when your health puts your salary at the risk of deduction due to absence.

I got mine from an officemate whose sister works as a medical representative. That officemate gives us free samples meant for doctors, which the sister happened to have excess stocks of. I chose to leave these in the office because it was for menstrual pain. I thought it would be more beneficial to have it on hand when my officemates find need for it.

*Meds cover basically everything: headache, sore throat, fever or maybe even heartache.

Stock up on soap, toilet paper & other essentials. ;)

These Essentials come in handy when nature decides to surprise you in the middle of the day.

I used to hate using restrooms outside the house. It felt like such a hassle. When I learned that my body is unable to cooperate, I thought it best to buy a bottle of anti-bacterial soap, bring toilet paper and keep a supply of the other essential for those days. True enough, the day I bought all those stuff, nature came calling. Sometimes it’s not just because I feel the need to do this, but there are times when other forces come into play.

*Essentials come in handy on days when the biological system sends an alarm to all the networks.

Take a masking tape & use it on everything that you can possibly stick on the walls.

The Masking Tape is useful on papers that need attention and priority.

I experienced an influx of papers when the real work started. It just kept pouring in that it became quite difficult to track. The load kept getting heavier because I couldn’t identify which was urgent and which could wait. Apart from the post-it and the desktop’s sticky notes, the masking tape was very useful for me. I use it on almost all the papers that need to be in my line of sight 24/7.

*Expect a lot of paper to come in so use this sparingly.

Mark the territory by personalizing the space.

Territory is important for people to recognize and respect.

One of the simplest joys of being an employee is having a designated space. I found this a privilege, especially since it came with a fairly big flat screen, fast hardware and a wall to cover with whatnots. Over time, this space became more me. I made a mood board which greeted me every morning when I opened my desktop. Then my wall was eventually covered mostly with work-related paper but also with a few key pieces of me.

*Keep in mind that this is the corporate world, hence personalize but don’t over accessorize.

Store a blanket for the unpredictable temperature.

The Blanket keeps away even the coldest of storms.

It took a while for me to realize that I needed something to keep me warm. Even after the chills I got during my second and third interviews, it took several days before I figured I had to do something. I couldn’t bring a real blanket, of course. Not to say I didn’t consider it, because the chills were that bad! But it just didn’t feel right to bring a blanket to work. Instead, I brought my Mom’s shawl and left it on my chair. I’d change it every two weeks for hygienic purposes.

*This is really a converted shawl (to maintain professionalism) that is most useful when the office temperature checks in at 15 degrees.

Hoard a stash of junk in the desk drawer.

The Stash is valuable for days when the volume of work and the height of demand is at its peak and escape can only come in the form of a 5-minute break.

I notice that at precisely 3:00 in the afternoon, my stomach starts to churn and my mind stops working. It’s time for a break. The 15 minutes thereafter is necessary for me to use for rest so I can function properly again. During that time, I either buy something to eat or open my lunchbox and take out a snack. I think it’s actually more efficient to simply buy one time big time and take from that pile. That way I don’t have to stress about snack time in the morning, right before I leave the house.

*These bits are helpful when going down the building to buy something at the 7-Eleven across the street is too time consuming.

Extend occupancy to the pantry with a coffee mug.

The Mug is very helpful to keep the senses alive during critical times.

Today was the first time I used my coffee mug during my afternoon break. I felt like a real employee, sneaking a few minutes away from work with a few co-workers to relax the nerves. I’m not sure if it were effective, though. We spent those few minutes talking about, yes, work. Haha! That break we were entitled to wasn’t so much of a break, after all. It just made me feel grown up, I guess. Still, it’s fun actually being part of that scene which I used to just see on sitcoms.

*Be wary because the famed coffee break does not just energize the mind but also puts the heart in overdrive.

Taking up residence in the office is inevitable since most people spend more than half their waking hours there. I just found it funny to realize my transition from student to yuppie. This quirk of keeping some of my things at work is just one of the evidence of me growing into my career and moving on from my academic life.

I noticed that these things vary from person to person. The reasons for choosing which things to keep in the office also differ depending on the personality.

Disclaimer: This was not meant to be a guide. My humor still needs a little practice. Fine, lots I admit. I AM trying!

Monday Magic is one of seven special weekly stories I'll write about the different things that are meaningful to me.

Hanggang sa muli!

Monday Magic: Airports

2011-05-30T21:34:00.004+08:00

I was sitting in our team's weekly meeting when a discussion on a promo we have as a tie-up with an airline sent me in a daze. All I needed to hear was the word airline to give my mind permission to wander off.

I miss the airport-the spacious lounges, the yellow lights at night, the glossy granite floors, the extremely tall ceilings, the beautiful tie-in of silver and metal columns with the interiors.

Everything about it is so romantic for me. Even the people from all walks of life that pass through that large enclosure. I find the place so amazing, because every single person who passes through is never the same when they pass by the second or third or nth time. The exchange student, the businessman, the backpacker, the soul searcher, the rich, the famous, basically everyone. No exceptions. And even if it stays in one place it's always so full of life.

I like it so much because I imagine it as a launch pad. A starting point from which anywhere is reachable and anything is possible. The endless opportunities it represents is such a powerful source of inspiration. It's a wonderland of its own class. It stands as the busiest places in developed cities, not just physically, but also mentally. Its a crossroad for a million thoughts. People traveling from one point to another. People crossing from one stage in life to another. Some people even coming back home to retrace their roots.

It's places like this where genius is born. Places like this where life is at its fullest. Places where time is immemorial. Any dream is possible. Any hope is achievable.

It was with that realization that my daydream ended. My attention was called by the boss who was asking about the status of another promo we had. It's funny how just one word that was mentioned in passing, during a serious discussion in the office, took me away to a place where my heart couldn't stop fluttering from excitement and my thoughts couldn't contain the words I needed to express.

Monday Magic is one of seven special weekly stories I'll write about the different things that are meaningful to me.

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. I have so many good associations with NAIA Terminal 3, hence my dedicated love for airports. Wasn't exactly describing NAIA earlier. I just pictured a really nice airport. Haha.

Sunday Sugar: Words of Wisdom

2011-05-29T19:50:00.013+08:00

Today was a celebration of sorts for the kids at our Sunday School. Some of the kids were "moving-up" to a higher level and a special program was prepared for them. Part of the program was a message delivered by yours truly. I was invited to share a few of my stories since I grew up in Sunday School and am now a teacher.

I know kids have short attention spans so I armed myself with lessons they could easily remember and candies as a reward if they are able to memorize. I gave them the 4 F's of Faith that I invented: Fun, Favorites, Friends, and Future. (Haha) Fun was about my good memories in Sunday School. Favorites were about the best experiences and the most memorable Bible story (David and Goliath). Friends, of course, are self-expanatory. Future was about how I've continually been able to benefit from Sunday School.

I told my audience that, as a former student and a current teacher, I still learn a lot from being surrounded with kids. Sometimes adults miss the whole point of life, because work or responsibilities get in the way of what's really important. That's why I always come back to Sunday School to remind myself of where I came from and where I want to go. It's where life started for me.

After sharing some of my stories, I closed my message with my favorite verse from the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

It's the perfect verse to share with the kids because it summed up my entire childhood-one of uncertainty yet still full of hope. I think I got my message across, because I ran out of goodies. Haha!

I stayed on after my message. Towards the end of the program, all the teachers were called on stage and were each given a book tiny enough to carry around. I read a couple of pages and my eyes gleamed at the treasure inside. It was such a sweet deal. The tiny book was Words of Wisdom for Teachers.

It was my Sunday Sugar. It was such a sweet deal. I feel it is more than enough of a privilege for me to be able to shape the lives of these kids as their teacher, so the token meant a lot. It's something that I can take with me everywhere and read when I need a breather. That tiny book came at just the right time, because I am at a point in my life when simple words of encouragement are able to carry me through the day. Simple things like that have great value for me.

Sunday Sugar will be one of seven special weekly stories I'll write on my blog about the different things that matter to me. I probably won't write a post everyday. I'll choose only those that are meaningful to me.

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. I got the special weekly stories idea from That's Chic, a blog I've been following for a while now.

A Picture or A Thousand Words?

2011-05-24T22:22:00.016+08:00

Nowadays, we're bombarded with visuals that make it so tempting for me to try. Especially with the availability of digital technology, it's hard to resist the invite.

Let me explain what I mean... You see, I've always wanted to make this a photo blog, but it didn't turn out that way.

I've had a couple of attempts, e.g. my funny fashion posts, my good times post, etc. But then I'm much too shy to take my camera out of the bag & take snaps of every interesting thing I see or experience. It courts too much attention for my taste. I'd rather write things down and be able to revel in all my thoughts without worrying about other people noticing. It's more than enough that I get to part my own experience through words.

I realized this after reading a couple of Jason Mraz's blog posts. His blog is text heavy, but I didn't mind. I found his writing so entertaining I didn't feel the need to look for pictures. His thoughts we so beautifully written, they were colorful as they were.

So it hit me... I didn't need to make my webspace a photo blog to make it interesting for people to read. Fact is, I made this blog so I can attract the kind of people who share the same thoughts and feel the same way. If others find what I write boring, then they're not who I'm looking for. (Not to seem arrogant.)

I am a writer. Not a photographer. Not a fashionista. I love what I do and I can't get enough of it. There's so much space for growth; and there's always the option to share. All I need are my pen and paper or my laptop and I'm all set for another great adventure. And you're all invited tojoin me, if it pleases you to do so.

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. I enjoyed this post so much I didn't realize how long it got. I missed writing for pleasure. It’s not a thousand words, though. If you were serious in counting, there are over 300 words. (I checked with Word. Haha)

The Internship

2011-04-21T13:33:00.005+08:00

Considering I'm new, it's surprising how much trust I get from the people I work with. Supervising interns was a responsibility I didn't imagine would be assigned to me.

Finding my way through the jungle that is Corporate Life (truth be told, I still am trying), I did manage to keep my personal space clean. When the internship came in the picture, I was a complete mess. Literally.

My desk was usually spick and span, but on my first day with the program, it looked like a tornado passed by my table everyday for about a week.

Then I learned how important it is to plan things not just for myself, but also for the people I'm handling. I know that should have been common sense, but when you're thrown in the middle of the storm it's easy to get disoriented. You see, I didn't know I was going to handle the summer internship program for the PR and Communications team. To top it off, I wasn't just taking in 1 person but 7. So my surprise is warranted. Make no mistake about it, I gladly took on the job, but I sure as hell wasn't prepared for the responsibilities it required. I, myself, am still figuring things out, and now I need to make sure that the 7 interns are able to do the same. I'm pretty sure teachers had more time to prepare for class than I did when I found out that the students standing before me were mine to supervise.

The moment reminded me of my experience 2 years ago in Indonesia. I didn't really understand how much planning is necessary for an internship to be successful. What I did during my internship was complain when I wasn't enjoying anymore. I didn't realize that the people behind the whole process went through so much planning just to have something in store for me. It's shameful how I gave them so much trouble, but I am happy to say that I did clear the air before my term ended. It's really humbling to see things from another perspective.

Now that I am handling 7 students who have the whole world ahead of them, I am doing exactly what I hated when I was an intern. That's why I feel privileged and scared. Privileged because I get to have a part in forming who they are as individuals. Scared because of the same reason.

It's part of my job to evaluate them at the end of their training. I get to have a say in their work ethics and their effectiveness on-the-job. At the same time, whether consciously or unconsciously, they also evaluate me-every decision I make, the tasks I give them, how I instruct them. The fact that the things I say and do can affect them and that they'll be carrying the experience for the rest of their lives is so meaningful.

Maybe it's just me, but I really do want to leave a good mark on the 7 interns. It maybe that I'm overthinking this whole internship, but I see the value in it now. My Dad was willing to let me go by myself to a country (Indonesia) I've never been to just to get experience on independence. Now it's my role to turn-over that experience to these 7 students. Hopefully, I do things right.

Hanggang sa muli!

Mood Board #2

2011-04-20T23:41:00.004+08:00

Summer's here & with it came a change in my mood. I've been wanting to make this since April came around. I've had the collection of photos for a couple of weeks already; I just couldn't find the right mix.

The idea is inspiration drawn from summer bliss.

Mood Board #2

Decided to try maximalism. I'm not an artist by profession (I feel so mature for having the right to say that. Haha), but that doesn't stop me from trying my hand at Photoshop.

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. None of the images are mine. I got all of them from Google Image Search.

Life Lessons over Dinner

2011-04-04T21:21:00.002+08:00

Since my parents facilitated the Christian Life Skills seminar, I’ve had a few people tell me it must be good training being raised by my parents. So it occurred to me that it might be nice to share a couple things my parents share over the dinner table.

The whole family usually gathers together for dinner. Afterwards, we don’t really “catch up” per se. It’s more of an exchange of ideas on life, politics, religion and issues. It’s been like this as far back as I can remember. Since both my parents used to work and my brothers & I had to leave early morning for school, dinner was the only time our schedules would coincide. Although things have changed since I graduated, our dinner routine has stayed the same.

They manage to slip in life lessons in every conversation we have. Here are some of the things we talk about:

· On finding yourself.

o There’s always something changing about who you are, so you might as well decide on a direction you want to go.

· Read on Ideas instead of Lives (The way great people think)

o Lives of Celebrities or Royalties can distort your reality and hinder you from living a full life.

o Good Reads:

- The Worldly Philosophers

- Helen Keller

- The Arms of Krupp (Germany's Wealthy Empire)

· Several Generations of Wealth

· World War I Military Weapons Manufacturer

· Supplied for Hitler

- Trump – on how he thinks

· Where You Identify Yourself in Society, in subcultures & under different norms

o Study what's acceptable and if you want to stray from that be sure it's deliberate and not because you're stupid or ignorant.

· Friends vs. Allies

o High School friends are lifelong.

o Officemates are mostly allies.

o You shouldn't feel disappointed that what you’ll find in the office are allies and not friends.

o Friends in the office are rare gems.

· Trust

o It’s something earned.

o Knowing who to trust, you have to base it on track record

- 3 Kinds of People

· Consistent

· Inconsistent

· Not trustworthy at all

After having this conversation, I realize I am blessed to have been raised by parents who are knowledgeable on these matters.

Hanggang sa muli!

Mood Board #1

2011-03-06T18:05:00.002+08:00

I am back after nearly 7 months! I didn't take a hiatus. I must have hit a writing slump because I've been figuring out what I really wanted out of this blog. Then I realized I shouldn't classify this part of my life. It will remain undefined and I like it that way. So here's to me starting all over...

Most of the people I admire in the fashion and beauty industry have mood boards. From what I understand, it is one source of inspiration. Since I am officially employed in the creatives department, I decided to give it a try. This is the first. I'm sure this will change every once in a while, but for now I'm happy with this.


Mood Board #1

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. All the photos were taken off Google Image Search except for the group shot which is from an event I went to.

Pimple & Pimple Scar Busters

2010-08-16T21:09:00.003+08:00

For about 2 years I've been on the look-out for a good product that will not just remove pimples & pimple scars, but also prevent the outbreak of blackheads & whiteheads. Some products would remove the pimples & the scars but then they're either too heavy or too harsh. They end up leaving the skin with whiteheads, which are honestly not a sight to behold, and blackheads, which you have to go to the dermatologist or a facialist to get removed. I think both are caused by the overproduction of sebum
meaning your skin is too dry or it is just in your biological make-up. I don't think it's bad to go to a facialist but personally a visit to one usually just ends up giving me more whiteheads & blackheads. Sucks so much! Only the dermatologist does the trick for me & going to the dermatologist can be quite expensive. So after years of searching, I can finally say that these products really helped my skin a lot.

I have sensitive skin and my type is combination to oily. I used to go get facials but that just ended up giving me blackheads and whiteheads which eventually became pimples. So that was a total fail. Cetaphil is the only product that was gentle enough for my skin. It worked wonders! It was so friendly to my skin that it helped clear out my pimples. This product really is recommendable. I have this product to thank. It didn't happen immediately, though. It took about 2 months for my skin to really clear out.

This next product is Nu Skin's Enhancer/Skin Conditioning Gel. It's main ingredient is Aloe Vera Barbadensis. People say that aloe vera is a magical plant since it's soothing and it helps aid in the repair of skin or something like that. I'm not a scientist so I can't be 100% certain. But I am a consumer and this product helped dry up my pimples and hasten the healing process of my acne scars.

I just really love these 2 products & had to share them because they really did work wonders for me. How about you? What products do you use to fight those annoying pimples & scars?

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. I couldn't resist the temptation of making a beauty blog post. I missed this!

Independence

2010-08-02T00:39:00.001+08:00

I've always depended on someone my whole life. In my early academic life, I had my parents help me with homework. In college, I had my friends and blockmates to count on whenever I was lost in the lessons. In my personal life, I always depended on a close confidante or a boyfriend to neutralize my emotional outbursts.

After dedicating a year to self-discovery, I've learned the tip of what it means to be independent.
After coming back from Indonesia last year, my whole world was shaken. I saw things differently. I looked at the world though a bigger perspective. I realized there was still a lot about myself that I have yet to learn form.

Because of that, I decided to spend one year figuring out how I deal with things & how I tackle problems. But the most important commitment I had to make was refraining from entering into any kind of special relationship with a guy. This was something I felt I really had to do because it's been years since I last didn't have any involvement with anyone. And it's paid off.

I'm learning to once again do things for me. I'm learning to decide based on the things I really want to do and not because of what the other guy might think of my decisions. I'm living my life on my own terms. And it feels so darn good. I know there's so much more to this than I have tasted, but it's just really liberating.

It makes thinking easier, clearer, and so much less complicated. Harsh as it is, the world really resonates an 'every man for himself' mantra. Makes it difficult to find a place in one's life to allow another person in. You can handle friends but to let even just a single person in on everything about your life really requires a different level of trust, patience and love.

For that reason...

I look up to leaders because they understand a time beyond what I am familiar with.

I look up to lovers because they possess a strength which I have yet to develop.

I look up to single mothers because they have a patience which I am yet to acquire.

I look up to married couples because they know a respect which I still need to learn.

I look up to parents because they share a love which I cannot yet give so willingly.

Independence does not end with being self-sufficient. Independence is completed in giving yourself for the service of others.

Hanggang sa muli!

Reading Books like Watching Telly

2010-07-15T14:41:00.007+08:00

I've been gone from my blog for quite a long time. I really have no excuse for my absence, though. Most of what I've been preoccupied with lately is the internet and all its time-wasters. From time to time, I get the urge to read
so I open my cabinet and get an untouched book that's gathered dust. A few days later, I get the same urge but then I realize I'm bored from the previous book so I pick up another book. Before I realized it, I have 4 books on my bedside table. All partially read and all screaming for my attention. All of that happened in a span of 2 weeks. (You have to understand I have a relatively short attention span and a really slow reading pace.)

I decided to read this because I'm a fresh graduate and I haven't found a job yet. I think it's the perfect time to open my mind to income possibilities before I start earning my money. That way I'd be better at "minding my own business" as Rich Dad puts it.

My Dad recommended that I read this to help open my mind about things and about how the world of economics and free enterprise works. Funny thing is that in "Retire Young Retire Rich" Kiyosaki recommends reading this book, too. It was really a coincidence.

I read this to have a change in "environment". I felt like I was immersing myself too much in serious business that I needed something light. This book is my go-to whenever I want to imagine myself in a different world.

I'm reading this because it helps me with principles and values, especially when it comes to sales ethics. It's a must-read, I say.

Amazing thing is when I put down one book and get back to a different book, I still manage to absorb all of them well. It's just a matter of me wanting to understand it's contents. When my brother saw how many books I was holding, he said, "Good thing you're still able to follow those despite flipping form one to the other."

I realized I read as if I were watching the telly. After a certain length of air time, a commercial comes up, so I switch to a different channel. In reading terms, I switch to another book. The commercial is when my attention span decides to stray because of hunger pangs or some other form of distraction.

Funny thing is that because of this reading style, I'm learning to love reading even more. I used to read a lot, but only for the sake of making the parents proud. I never completely understood what I was reading. (Thumbs up for poor comprehension!)

For me, the joy in reading is found when I am able to appreciate every chapter, every part & every story as I diversify my thinking. It's like going back to school only I do it in my own pace & the lessons are more practical now. I don't have to rely on the professor or the academic schedule. I can go slower or faster. Didn't realize learning this way can be enjoyable.

How about you? How do you find joy in reading?

Hanggang sa muli!

Powerful Words

2010-06-21T16:40:00.003+08:00

I love writing. I always have. The earliest memory I have of my imagination running its course from my hand through the pen to the paper was when I was 9 years old! I'm not really good with keeping the things I write down so I can't really share them with you. I do recall that my earliest fantasies were
of princesses and big castles in the forest.

Even back then I was a literary writer. I love the colors and smells that words are able to evoke in a person. It is rare for me to run out of words to describe an experience. There are so many ways to describe something that I find there's always a reason for one to write.

The good thing about writing is that your experience never ends. Long after it has passed, you can still come back to it in full color. It also becomes communal property because people are able to share with your experience. And the influence becomes endless.

It's just sad when people use words as swords to kill other people's happiness. I think words should be used to inspire. Not to murder.

Hanggang sa muli!

Sticking to One-Liners

2010-06-10T23:27:00.000+08:00

Despite the endless horizon, I choose to look at my feet & where I'm standing.

I have a dream.

2010-05-20T21:59:00.000+08:00

And it starts from here.

Summer Curls

2010-05-03T19:53:00.003+08:00

I honestly can't stop thinking about make-up and skin care all day. Besides my final few weeks of college, that is. (That means I'm graduating soon. Yeay for me!) For that reason (make-up and skin care), I couldn't come up with any ideas on what to write about. Then as I was browsing through the zillions of beauty videos over at YouTube, it suddenly dawned on me. HAIR. I figured writing about how I managed to love my hair again would be fun.

My hair evolves over time. I'm not kidding.

When I was born I had big curls. Everyone in my family loved and adored my hair.

Then one day, my grandmother cut it and afterwards my hair grew straight as a stick. You can imagine the shock that gave my grandmother and my Mom. When I grew old enough, I was surprised to realize that hair can change in texture. At least my hair can.

Fast forward a few more years, my hair started to be curly again. The only problem is it wasn't like my original big curls anymore. It was leaning towards frizzy! THE HORROR! I never bothered about my hair until that time because it was so easy to manage. In fact it was my pride and joy because it was so silky smooth.

But when it started evolving again, I couldn't stop from asking my Mom to get my hair rebonded. After 3 years, my Mom caved in & I got my hair treated. From that time onwards, I just hated my natural hair and went once a year to the salon to have it treated. For SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS, I got my hair rebonded. That's 9 hours in the salon times 6 years and then sometimes they had to do a back job because my hair was just too stubborn to go straight.

Until recently... When I discovered that curly hair is also love, I convinced my father to get me a curling iron. It was pricey but it was a better "investment" (I like to think of it that way.) than having to spend more every year to get my hair treated. I got the Vidal Sassoon Curling Iron similar to the one below. Mine's a little different because it has rings on the handle, which I think makes it easier to grip, and it has a rotating wire end which prevents wire tangling while curling.

So that's what happened. After so many years of hating on my hair, I finally learned to fall in love with it again. And so have other people. I get compliments everytime I curl my hair. I know curling my hair doesn't really show my natural hair, but let's just say it's a neater way of letting my hair down.

Here's an image of how my hair was when I used to have it treated and another one with my curled hair.

By the way, my hair type is straight, wavy, curly, coarse, frizzy and thick all at the same time. It sounds horrible, but I love it anyways. I guess I brought that upon myself because of overprocessing. I've stopped, though, so that's a good, right?

I still like straight hair on me, but I think curls give anyone that extra oomph. Or maybe that's just me. How about you? How do you manage your hair? Have you abused it like I have or have you been extra careful and gentle to it?

I was planning on sharing with you how I do my hair when I curl it, but this is already too long of an entry. Guess I'll save that for another entry.

Hanggang sa muli!

Skin Care Regimen

2010-04-29T21:39:00.005+08:00

Since I don't have photos saved in the computer I'm using, I'll simply share with you my skin care routine. I'll add a little review after each product. Let me be clear that I'm only including products that have done good to my skin. I immediately stop using any product which irritate my skin.
Yes, I have very selective skin. Unfortunately for me, the selectivity is usually towards the pricey ones. I change my routine every once in a while depending on what I want to try or what I think I need to address. But for the month of April, this is what I've been up to.

Disclaimer: This is not a post for me to brag about how much I or my family or my friends can afford. They were either given to me or I was fortunate enough to have saved up enough money to be able to afford them. Anyway, here goes...

1. Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser

I don't usually purchase anything from Rustan's because admittedly, stuff over there are a tad bit overpriced. (That's cause of the shipping costs and taxes, I guess.) But since a friend of my Mom gave it to her and the previous cleanser I was using was causing my skin to break out, I grew desperate.

The Good: I love this product because it has improved my skin a whole lot since I started using it. Just a week after I started using it my acne lessened & my skin became smoother. Actually, the first bottle I used was a sampler, but I loved it so much that when I ran out I just had to get the real thing. The real thing's the one in the picture.

The Downside: It's not an all-around cleanser. It hasn't completely rid my skin of pimple scars and the occasional acne. But I guess since it's just a face wash I can't expect more that it's cleansing function.

I got mine at Rustan's, Shangri-la. (Before it burned down. SO SAD!)

2. Celeteque Alcohol-Free Toner

This picture has the Oil Control one. That's the one I used before but it contains alcohol so I switched to the Alcohol-Free one.

Not a lot of people know this but you need to use a toner. A toner tightens the pores after you cleanse so that it will lessen the chance of dirt entering your skin which will cause pimples, whiteheads and blackheads.

The Good: It's alcohol-free so that when I go out it doesn't dry my skin which will cause premature lines or burn my skin which will eventually cause age spots. Check the ingredients in the skin care products that you use. Make sure that it doesn't contain alcohol. Otherwise, stop using them! You don't want to be spending so much on your skin only to find out that you actually made it worse.

The Downside: Sometimes, I break out from using it. But I'm not sure if it's this particular one that's causing the problem. I use a lot of products on my skin so I can't really tell if it's this one. HAHA.

I get mine at Watson's or Mercury Drug.

3. Skin Food Mushroom BB Cream

I was introduced to BB Creams by Maybelline's weekly product magazine and by a friend of mine.

The Good: Skin Food's BB Cream is amazing because it really makes my skin look almost like porcelain! You might be thinking that I'm exaggerating, but see the point of a BB Cream is to hide the redness you get from pimples, even out skin, & minimize pores and fine lines so this particular BB Cream does the trick for me! PLUS it has SPF so I don't have to worry about sun protection.

The Downside: Still this doesn't hide my scars. It just makes my skin look almost perfect. Almost being the key word there since my pimple scars are still evident after I put this on.

I got mine at Skin Food in Glorietta 3. I found a branch in SM Mega B.

3. Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Concealer 02

My sister-in-law explained that this concealer does not just hide your pimples. It also helps in healing them because it's main ingredient is tea tree oil, which is the famous organic treatment for acne. So I had to try it. Now I've been using it for more than a year. I'm a satisfied customer. :)

The Good: As I've already mentioned it doesn't just hide acne, it helps in the healing process. It also dries up my pimples real fast. After just 2 or 3 days, my pimple's gone but the mark's still there. It's a tiny stick but it lasted me more than 12 months. So one stick a year is pretty awesome. But that's on my skin. I only get occasional acne.

The Downside: Since it's just a concealer, I can't really ask for more. Probably the fact that it doesn't prevent scarring after getting acne. I get very bad scars from pimples so that's not really good.

I got mine at Body Shop in Power Plant.

4. Skin Food's Muffin Cake All-Around Finish

I couldn't find a photo on-line so this is the next best thing. It's the on at the right top most part. Don't mind the other products. I haven't tried them so I don't have anything to say about them.

Okay. This Finish is a prime and probably the only example of the EXTREMELY RARE instance of my Dad's high-end impulse buying. Yes, this is already high-end for me. My Dad & I were waiting for my Mom when I chanced upon a Skin Food branch. And the next thing we knew, he was paying at the counter. To defend the saleslady, my Dad did like how the product made my skin look. That's why he was immediately convinced.

The Good: Because the BB Cream didn't completely make my skin look like porcelain, this one does it! On top of the BB Cream and Concealer, this product makes my skin look flawless plus it glows in all the right places! I just love love love this!

The Downside: If you don't know how and where to apply it, you're going to look like you washed your face with oil. Because it gives your skin that glow, overdoing it will make you look less porcelain and more oily. Goes to show... Everything in moderation!

I also got this at Skin Food in Glorietta 3. I found a branch in SM Mega B.

5. Nu Skin NaPCA Moisturizer

I use a moisturizer at night so that my skin can recover from the stress of the daily grind. I'm not sure if my BB Cream is also a moisturizer, the saleslady says it is but the product itself doesn't claim that. I might start using this during the day, too. Just to be sure.

The Good: It's from NaPCA so it doesn't use oil to moisturize unlike other moisturizers. Oil clogs the skin's pores which isn't good because that can cause blackheads or whiteheads or pimples. It binds with moisture in the air to keep the skin smooth and supple.

The Downside: There's really nothing bad to say about this product. I love Nu Skin. All my skin care products used to be solely Nu Skin but because it's quite expensive, I had to change after I stopped working there.

I got this from Nu Skin in Ortigas. There's also another branch in Makati.

6. YOKO Yoghurt Milk Whitening Cream

It's the third product from the left. I couldn't find another picture.

I use a whitening cream not to lighten my skin but to lighten my scars. Although most people I know want to have fairer skin, I'm perfectly happy with my skin tone. According to my Mom, I have olive skin. But I like thinking it's brown or tan. :)

The Good: It smells nice plus I think it helps lighten my scars. It's also supposed to help in removing lines & wrinkles, but I'm not a candidate for that yet so I won't comment about that.

The Downside: It takes a long long time for the scars to lighten. I'm actually thinking of switching to another one after I finish this one.

I got this from Watson's.

Personally, I prefer using organic products. That's the reason why I'm so in love with Skin Food's BB Cream & Muffin Cake Finish. I'm thinking of changing my regimen to make it completely Skin Food. I would suggest to anyone who seeks my advice, IF there were any, to look for organic skin care systems. I still think nature knows best.

Most of these things my Dad got for me. He's really concerned about my skin & he's willing to invest in it. I'm willing too, if I had the means. It's not to say that we're superficial like that. He & I just know how important it is to give a good first impression. Because no matter what people will say, it does affect you, your confidence and self-esteem, how you relate with people & how people perceive you.

I'm not sure who reads my blog, but I'm curious. How about you? What's your skin care regimen? I'm interested to see how YOU address skin problems or what products you use. I also want to know of the millions of skin care products out there which ones really work and do as they claim.

This is REALLY long! You can see I'm really into skin care. :P Leave a comment if you actually read through the entire thing!

Hanggang sa muli!

EDIT: I forgot to mention my skin type! How silly. I have sensitive and combination to oily skin plus I'm also acne-prone, hence a problem with acne scars/dark spots. If you're thinking of doing the same things I do, make sure your skin type matches mine. Otherwise, I apologize for not being of any help.

Long Overdue

2010-04-24T14:17:00.001+08:00

I haven't posted anything for over 2 months! I can't believe it! How busy I've actually been & how fast time flies! So much for keeping this site updated. There will be some changes about the things I share here because somehow over the past several weeks my priorities have changed. My focus & attention have been grabbed by something else. Majority of which will be towards skin care & make-up. I'll be updating soon & explaining my unexpected hiatus then.

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From Stress to Parties

2010-02-17T20:52:00.007+08:00

It's funny how long it took before I updated my blog again. The past few weeks have not really been uneventful. In fact, there were lots of stress involved. (Say hello to The Thesis.) Nonetheless, parties were still in the picture. Hence the visuals.

JB's 21st

With The Celebrant

Velvet Kiss by JMA-UPM at Fuel Bar

With My New BFF & One of My Best Girls

Because we're sweet like that!

My Favorite Picture of the Night

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P.S. All photos were borrowed with permission from May, Benjo & Ren.

From Bridal Showers to Weddings

2010-01-25T15:27:00.010+08:00

From promises made to promises fulfilled, this union really blessed my heart and spirit. Because I still believe in the truth of promises.

From Betrothed

To Bound Together

At the Bridal Shower (Guess where? :P)

After the Wedding

The Vanity Poses

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P.S. All the photos were used with permission from the photographer and lens-owner, who are all my friends.

Friday Movie Night

2010-01-22T23:05:00.008+08:00

What better way to spend Friday night than watch a movie with your favorite people?

My best friends came over tonight and we finally got to watch 500 Days of Summer. A few months ago, the day we saw the trailer, we'd made plans to watch it, the three of us. But like most of our plans,
it never pushed through. (Spontaneity is our thing.) Soo... Since we really wanted to see it together, we decided to make it our movie for the night. 'Twas fun!!! I missed these girls!

Hannah-May-Dea

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Sundays & Dresses

2010-01-17T19:45:00.003+08:00

When I was a kid, my Mom always told me to dress up on Sundays because we're going to the House of God. (I had no sense of style back then. Mismatched tee, jeans and rubber shoes.) But her persistence paid off. Every Sunday, I make it a point to wear my best clothes.
Clothes I wouldn't normally wear to school because they're too dressy.

History aside, I've been wanting to share my preference in clothes on Sundays. My style varies from day to day and mood to mood. So... Here's what I wore today. I got this dress at the most recent sale in Power Plant.

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Of Weddings & Hair Pieces

2010-01-16T23:25:00.006+08:00

I attended a friend's wedding today. Theme was violet and green. Violet is the bride's favorite color. It was a really nice ceremony. It was truly a dream come true for my friend. She's liked the guy for so long before they were formally introduced. And now... They're married!

Somehow, I felt a bit excited for my own wedding. It's pretty far off, but as I was watching the ceremony one particular person came to mind.
It's funny how comfortable I am imagining myself walking down the aisle towards him. That's not to say my heart is set. There are lots of possibilities! Haha. I can't believe I'm talking about guys like they're stores I can choose from.

Instead of noticing the dress I was wearing, most people noticed my hair piece. Hence the title.

I'll be posting more photos as soon as my friends upload theirs.

I'm so happy for you ate Tonet & kuya Patrick!

In the meantime, vote for my lovely friends Cre, Mikka, Will & Vitto over at The Candy Shop. You're allowed 5 votes per account.

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My Best Girl's Day

2010-01-09T14:49:00.006+08:00

My best friend celebrated her entry into worldwide legalhood/legaldom(?) yesterday!!! Hannah, we're old enough to rule the world! Haha!

Unfortunately, we weren't able to take a group photo or even a photo together. But it doesn't matter. It's the moment that's important. I'm so glad to have been there the night she celebrated! My friends & I went home at 3a! It was good catching up after not seeing them for weeks!

That wasn't taken last night. That was actually at my 21st birthday a few months ago.

I love you to bits!!! Happy birthday!!!

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A Bridal Shower & the Color Red

2010-01-02T23:59:00.003+08:00

3 hours before the bridal shower I attended today, I still wasn't sure what to wear so I opted for this...

I was actually wearing black tights, but it was so hot so I took them off. I was wearing them during the party though.

My necklace! I got it a long time ago, but this was the first time I wore it.

My bracelet, belt and necklace all match. Red. Gotta love it!

And then, as I was writing this blog my Dad comes into my room and hands me an envelope...

Inside it was a credit card! My first! Super cool!

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Pure & Honest 2010

2010-01-01T03:09:00.006+08:00

So it has come. Family was complete. We didn't go out to watch fireworks, though. It seems every year we become less interested in lighting firecrackers and more into our family privacy. We just stayed home,
ate ham & drank wine. Still, I have to say it was good. My dog was so freaked out with all the racket, though.

My favorite part of this New Year's Eve? The fact that I really made sure I had a nice outfit to start the year with.

I've never really "dressed up" for New Year's cause we've always just celebrated at home. But it feels good. I think I'll be doing this every new year's from now on.

As mentioned yesterday, here's the list of what I'm committing myself to for the next 364 days starting today.

I exercise three times a week. I'm not overweight nor am I rail thin. I'm just of average weight, at least I think I am. But I know I'm not physically fit for strenuous activities. A mere 30 minutes of brisk walking already leaves me out of breath. So I resolve to change that. Swimming maybe in the agenda.

I plan & get things done right away. Graduating soon, I'll have a lot of free time on my hands. In the meantime, there's a finance class, a party here, German lessons, a gimmick there, maybe a little jamming and, of course, my thesis to accomplish. I'm trying to be well-rounded here. Besides, I have the most wonderful planner! (I'm still hung up on it. I like it so much! Plus the color. I love it!)

I have a ministry. 2 years ago, I was active in the Sunday School ministry. I think I miss my kids.

I do my devotions one day at a time. In this list, this one's proably the most important. There's nothing more empowering than having a moment alone with Him.

I make sure to set aside 10% for savings & another 10% for tithing. Unfortunately, I ended 2009 and started 2010 in debt because of my bills. I do not want to have to face this again at the end of this year. I'll be sure to budget and allot my finances better. Tithing, is well, tithing. It's an obligation I'd gladly fulfill.

I travel around. No matter what day or time, traveling will always have a place in my heart. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of a busy airport, I get this amazing feeling as I sit quietly and look out the floor-to-ceiling window seeing the airplane waiting for me to board it. It makes me feel so world-class. I get high from the feeling.

I read at least 1 book every month. Exercise is key! It's also important for the mind. Every once in a while, it feels good to get away from my reality and live in someone else's imagination.

I keep this blog updated. 'Nuff said. ;)

Happy new year!!!

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. As for the title... I decided to keep things simple. I didn't wear any make-up or accessory! That's why. :)

Out with the Old. Time for the New.

2009-12-31T09:56:00.004+08:00

It's almost the end of one great year for me. Feeling a bit too attached to the year. But, life must go on. In a matter of 14 hours, I will be jumping (a belief of the vertically-challenged) hoping and wishing for another great or a more amazing year. But in the midst of the anticipation,
I refuse to go unprepared. New year's day last year, I just had a feeling things will be good and I came out even more blessed than I came in. This time around, I've wisened up a tad bit and decided to actually set myself up for success. I believe in the saying, "when you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Hence, what I am doing. I am currently in the process of writing down my resolutions for the coming year. It is my hope that I'm not doing this in vain. I've actually been writing this for weeks now. It's not really all too intricate or complicated. I just want to make sure they're realistic and something that will motivate me.

I'm almost done. Now what to wear tonight...

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Ending the Year with a Blast

2009-12-29T22:17:00.002+08:00

I'm at a loss for words.

First, I figured out a way to revamp my old jeans.

Second, the delivery of the onesie Tux I ordered for my nephew arrived.

Last but definitely the best, I had a really good evening plus I got one of my Most Wanted things for 2010.

The Lord is most awesome! 2010, I just know you'll be more amazing than 2009. I can't wait to meet you!

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Retrospection 2009

2009-12-29T03:48:00.004+08:00

It's almost the end of the year, but for my blog things have just started. I've been looking through the hundreds, maybe thousands, of photos taken this year. Retrospection allows me to see the changes happening to myself. It's quite bittersweet. I've matured, but there's a part of me that wishes
I could go back. Relive & extend the moments which made me especially happy. No one is indispensable. Every single person in this picture is a cherished part of who I am.

The image in the center, the one with me posing like the Oblation explains what my 2009 really felt like. Freedom. No, I'm not trying to be emo. It's just that I learned a lot of things to prepare me for the freedom that comes with being 21 years old.

Mostly, it's my friends who have influenced, inspired & changed my beliefs, perspectives and, ultimately, my life's direction. It's both a good thing & a bad thing. A good thing because my life has changed for the better. Bad because He wasn't very much involved in it. This year was amazing. But I'm looking forward to a much more wonderful 2010, having a renewed relationship with him.

Funny thing is, after doing this collage I realized I don't have a photo with my family. In all 365 days. Not a single one. Or maybe I've misplaced them. Oh well... Maybe that's why I'm so keen on having a family picture taken.

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. Majority of the photos aren't mine, but were used with the owner's consent to copy them.

A Picture of Me with You

2009-12-27T22:37:00.003+08:00

I've been waiting for a chance to be in a photo with him & now I got it! This was just a few hours ago.
Yes, I'm that excited to share them with you! I just used my mobile phone's camera so the image quality isn't too good.

Well, hello there cutie!

Attempt #1: He didn't want to be photographed with me.

Attempt #2: He was much too sleepy.

Attempt #3: He was willing now!

Attempt #4: A kiss!

One more for the camera!

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Christmas of 2009

2009-12-25T23:29:00.003+08:00

My family is not really a big fan of photographs. Maybe it's because the one time we attempted to get a family photograph taken, the studio was flooded and all their records were destroyed. So we don't have a family picture which
I can share with you. BUT we're having a family dinner next week. Right now, I'm in the process of putting everyone in the mood for a pictorial. For now, I'll leave you with an adorable photograph of the boy that's constantly preoccupying my thoughts.

Happy holidays everyone!

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P.S. Photo is credited to my sister-in-law, Reah.

The Annual Party

2009-12-20T21:16:00.009+08:00

December 18, 2009 at my best friend's place. My college friends & I celebrated Christmas together, like we have for the past 3 years. Reminds me of
how fast time flies and people can so easily come and go. Preparing for the party was quite stressful. It even felt like this was going to be the last party we'd ever have. But it was all worth it. Everyone's looking forward to the coming years.

Glam Rock

My Best Friend

Together forever come hell or high water.

Ladies

Gentlemen

My Kris Kringle Baby (too bad she moved which is why her face is blurry)

The Rockstars & their Groupies (I kid.)

Cheers to a wonderful 2009 & looking forward to an amazing 2010!

Hanggang sa muli!

P.S. Photos are courtesy of my girl, May. She's the tall one. Hard to miss.

Formality's Sake

2009-12-19T19:49:00.009+08:00

Hello there! Allow me to introduce myself.

That's me. The photo was taken by my good friend
during the preparations for one of the biggest annual events of the organization we're part of.

I'm 21 years old. Filipina. Christian. Musician at heart. Graduating soon. Possibly traveling around next year.

I started this blog because I think this would be the best way to keep tabs on my life & be able to share my memories. My intention was to start this the moment 2010 sets in, but I just couldn't wait. Life can't wait.

There's lots of things to share! Lots more to come! I'm not a professional blogger. I don't know the rules for making a good blog so you'll have to bear with me. Anyway, I'm just here to share bits & pieces of my life.

For now, I can't wait for 2010!

Here's my Most Wanted List for next year.

1. Lacy Dress
2. The Perfect-Sized Leather School Bag
3. Dr. Martens 1460 8 Eye Boot (White Smooth)
4. Dr. Martens 1914 14 Eye Boot or anything similar
5. Tag Heuer Aquaracer
6. Moleskine 2010 Red Pocket Hardbound Weekly Notebook
7. Moleskin 2010 Desk Calendar
8. Ray-Ban Club Master
9. Ray-Ban Wayfarers
10. Ray-Ban Aviators

Hanggang sa muli!