Just Like That, It's Over

It's really funny when life catches up with you. It's even funnier when you realize that in this race of a life, there's no choice but to continue running because whether you like it or not, there will be a finish line. If life were truly a race, I just did a 10K distance. It's not much but it is certainly a milestone. And although I didn't finish first, nor did I stand out among all the other racers, I was able to cross the line. My eyes probably wandered off from the proverbial prize but at least I got my feet running where they were intended to in the first place. 

My batchmates and I had our graduation rites in PICC last 8 February 2014. The ceremony started at 8am. I remember distinctly that more than 3 years ago, I was a bit late for LPEP, DLSU's frosh orientation. Fast forward to Saturday's graduation, I was, yet again, late. I arrived quarter to 9, with all my course- batchmates done with our obligatory bow in front of the audience. I marched too, don't worry. Only, I marched with the rest of the late-comers. What can I say, I hate breaking traditions. Haha!

my college sisters!!!

with my proud parents!

with my two grandmoms, two uncles, two parents, two brothers, and two cousins

I celebrated my graduation in Antonio's in Tagaytay which is officially now in my list of the Top 5 best restaurants I've ever eaten in. The food was divine, the ambiance was tasteful, and the service was agreeable. I changed from my academic attire into another favorite: my new gown designed by my favorite Filipino designer, Rajo Laurel. That's

 a lot of favorites, isn't? 

Gown and belt: Rajo Laurel | Shoes: BCBG

The gown itself is a stand alone. It doesn't need a belt really but I thought it needed some sparkle. I took two different belts, attached the first on top of another, tied it around my waist, and that's when I decided I'm satisfied with my look. I kind of thought this is how I want to look like as I welcome the challenges of the real world.

I know, I know. I also thought it would've taken me longer to find the push that I need to continue publishing egocentric stories here but all of a sudden, I just felt like something has to anchor me down as I meet the demands of a world I'm about to enter into. Since this blog has served this purpose for quite a long time, it's best that I turn back to it especially at a time like this. So, yes, this blog will continue rolling. It'll witness all the mundane things I do, with special activities in between.

I may have to start earning my own keep, lose some of my inappropriate quirkiness, and acquire new traits that'll save me in future endeavors, but so what! I've always chosen to run along instead of being just a spectator anyway, preferably in heels though. Cheers to a start of a more mature life! :)

Pay Off

Do you know why I was never a fan of domino, or why I never liked playing it? It's because I always feel uneasy whenever I think of its implication - the domino effect or simply the thought of seeing changes brought by something you have intentionally, or unintentionally, done. Thing is, most of the time, it's unintentional. Once you see each block falls one after another, you can't do anything to stop them from falling completely. All you'll be left with is the mess.



The consequences of my actions for the past year are catching up with me; in fact I wouldn't be so surprised if I'll find them ahead of me already. Everyone talked to me. Everyone told me what I must do, what I must not, and what I must think about. After giving each of their words consideration, I found a new reason to continue where I left off, the very same reason that I can hold onto just to secure the straps that can fasten my resolve to make all the wrong things right once again. I wish not to let go of this reason. But then something happened. No one has told me that there will be sacrifices. Worse, that I cannot choose which I’d like to stay and which, though not easy, I would have to let go. It pains me knowing that in order to erase the errors I have put myself into, I would have to sacrifice the persons who mean so much to me.

P.S.

P.S. I would like to apologize to Jerone Malangen for not having been able to attend your 18^th birthday celebration. You know I would have left whatever that I had to do then just to be on your party. I’m really really sorry! Please naman, wag naman na magtampo :( 

And to Jeanne dela Rosa, alam mo namang favorite person talaga kita eh. Wag ka na din magtampo please?

To our kind friends who, because of some sweet reasons have read this, please pass my messages to them.

Let us take this opportunity to simply reflect on what's happening in our lives. Sometimes, we need to refrain from looking ahead and evaluate what we have done for the past months or years. Sometimes, we need to stop from striving hard just to get this and that and instead, be thankful for what we already have. Sometimes, we need to be away from our worldly possessions and just enjoy the basics. Sometimes, it is only ourselves who can help us pause for a while and think of what we want to make out of our lives.

In a world where everything seems to change in just a blink of an eye, we need to hold on to something that is more permanent - Him.

Make the most of your Holy Week, friends! See you on Monday :)

"The trouble with giving yourself a pep talk is, that deep down you know it's all bullshit" - Sophie Kinsella

I was supposed to meet with Lina and the rest of my blockmates yesterday but because of all the jogging and all, I couldn't get up in the afternoon. I was feeling very bushed so despite my wanting to be with my college friends, I gave in to total bed rest. Do I sound defensive? Guess I am. Hihi. 

Ate Lea woke me up at 3pm. I hurriedly took a bath and get dressed then I was off to LTO with daddy to renew his license and me, to get my own license. After approximately an hour, I got the fruit of my patience. I am now a driver. License: check. 

 


My Top 5 Random Tips on How to be a Blogger:

 I do not want to sound like a know-how or anything close to that because I'm aware that I haven't any right to do so but since some of my dear friends namely Hannah, Lana, Trix and even Jyn have asked me tips on how to blog, I guess it's about time I share things that I've learned through my few years of blogging.


1. Be natural. Sometimes, what keeps readers interested is your life itself - how you live it to the fullest despite the problems that don't seem to go away. Personally, it feels soooooooooo good to hear your friends comment that they love what you did, where you went, what you wore on a specific day. Let me reiterate on that, it feels very humbling and self-fulfilling.


2. Post as often as possible. Making a blog is actually the easy part. The difficult part lies in the maintenance. Establish your purpose on why you want to blog. Keep this in mind and you'll never tire of blogging. For me, I religiously update first and foremost for my own sake. I blog to document the things that I do, to share with my friends a part of me, and to just speak my mind.


 3. Creativity is the key. Since your blog serves as your platform of choice, may it be platform of your hobby or talent or interest, enhance what you already have. Do not play safe. It's either you will be loved or you will be hated. No in betweens. Go out of your comfort zone. But remember that you're showing everyone a part of you who's trying a new thing, not someone else who's trying a new thing. Get the picture?


4. Welcome comments, suggestions, praises and even criticisms. I once received a mail from someone I do not personally know which said and I quote "You are funny. Keep on blogging for whom? It's not as if you have a lot of readers." That was sometime in 2010. I thought about the email over and over again until a realization hit me: she wouldn't be sending me an email if she hadn't been reading my blog. It took me two weeks to reply to her inwhich I thanked her. Because at least I knew that I have a reader in her. Hahahaha. She replied back with a blank mail. Welcome criticisms and be thankful for the praises you get. That's why I want to take this chance to express my gratitude to my ever supporting friends :>

And lastly,

5. HAVE FUN!

And dots all over

I had my cup of coffee with my dad and brothers, again. A quick recap: Gio said that he made dad read my P.S. note from the 10 Random Things About Me that's why they hurriedly went home in Manila. Going back to my coffee-obsession. There's really something about coffee that makes its drinkers addicted to it. Or perhaps I'm addicted to only one brand. Yup, you know it ;) If you'll ask me out for a cup of my favorite coffee blended teas and frappes, most probably you'll win my yes. Haha! Another thing, I started drinking coffee mid - 2010. And since then, I have taken it religiously.



(Hi Jyn! I swear this was the first and will be the last time that I'll wear this turban cause it's already yours. So you better claim this and the rest from me soon :> )

Have I told you that I love to write, scribble and just doodle? I was writing down on my 2011 planner when I saw my other planners from previous years, waiting to be read over again. So read over I did.


 

 In the first pages of my planners, these words can be found:

I took pictures of random pages from each of my 6 planners.

You must have known me by now

10 Random Things About ME

1. I over-think. In my spare time, I think. I remember one time, I was in a heated conversation with someone. We were starting to patch things up when I said that I would want to think about our situations first before I decide on what I want to do with us. 

"I'll think about it first" - G

"No, you can't. Talo ako pag nag-iisip ka"

I thought I'm an optimist. But because of the things that have confronted me, I found out I'm actually a pessimist. When I think, I think of all the possibilities that may happen. More often than not, I dwell on the negative side or anything that can prepare me for the worst. Self-preservation is the term, if I may be asked.

2. I seldom explain myself. Most of the time, I get misinterpreted because of my cynical and no-nonsense attitude. I laugh a lot but when it comes to being serious, I'm lost. I'm not good at explaining why I did this or why I did not do that. All I know is that, though it doesn't show, I know what I'm doing.

3. I love books! I read a lot. I allot more time in reading than checking on my facebook. My favorite teen-flick authors are Meg Cabot and Sophie Kinsella. But when I want to really think, I do Jodi Picoult's. I'm also a fan of Geronimo Stilton books and Archie Comics.

4. I'm good at disarranging things. I am a living proof that not all girls know how to clean up their mess, literally. My work stations are never seen orderly. I start doing something here then I go to another area where I start doing another until I end up finishing nothing. What's worse is, I leave the cleaning up to my beloved Ate Lea. (I'll never allow anyone to call her yaya because for me, she's more more more than that).

5. I put on my night guard every time I sleep. I have this habit of grinding my teeth when I sleep. So before my teeth completely get damaged, I  remedy it in the form of a night guard. My older brother told me once that the real remedy for those who grind their teeth is a mean slap on the face. I'm afraid I don't want to test his theory's validity.

6. My favorite channels include Animal Planet, History Channel and Biography Channel. But my favorite shows are How I Met Your Mother, Phineas and Ferb, and The Simpsons.

7. I have my parents buy me things from home TV shopping but the moment the equipment arrive, I lose interest in them. Take my sewing machine and Ab-rocket for examples. After a day or two, they lay untouched either under my bed or in the bodega. There are two things that are useful to my parents up to now though: the Miracle Blades and the Iron Steam, which they bought after my non-stop persuasion once again.

8. I can't sleep without a glass of hot choco or milk tea. Sometimes, mommy prepares fresh calamansi juice with honey as substitute. I'm on the way to becoming an insomniac. Oftentimes, I find myself staring at the blank ceiling for hours. If the hot choco, milk tea or calamansi juice fail, I cry. It's so weird but it always works for me.

9. I wear clothes from the wardrobes of my Kuya, Mommy and Daddy. Gio sees to it that his cabinets and drawers are always locked for fear of having been invaded by the great old me. I borrow their clothes but I don't lend mine. How selfish :)) I don't like lending because I usually forget the things I lent and to whom I lent them. I have a poor memory, to my dismay. Some of my clothes can be seen in mommy and kuya's cabinets. Just so I can make sure that they won't lock up on me.

10. I am afraid of ghosts. There was this night when even after deliberate attempts of shutting the scary images off my brain, I still have goosebumps. Being the little girl (both literally and figuratively) that I am, I hurriedly turned off the aircon, brought my pillows and woke up my parents, and asked them if I could join them as they sleep. Let me share with you the deeper roots that caused my scaredy-cat self to resurface again. I have this tita who studies under Jaime Licauco, a world-renowned parapsychologist. She said that the image I saw when I was in 1st year HS was really out of the ordinary. It was indeed an apparition, for she too had seen the very same image. I don't want to experience that again!!!

P.S. For 3 days now, going to 4 tomorrow, I'm alone! My brothers and dad are staying in Alabang while I'm in Manila with Mommy. I'm starting to go crazy!

Kid At Heart

In our family, everyone has referred to me as the one who moves the slowest. From taking a bath to riding in the car, I always manage to be the last. Oftentimes, they become very impatient. When will my brothers understand that I'm a girl? My mom has told me, a long time ago, this reminder and it has stuck with me since then: Never ever go out of the house looking unkempt. Read: untidy clothes, powder-free face and dirty nails. To prevent them from waiting for me to finish, they always see to it that I do the prepping up and the readying up the first. Good solution! 

But what do I do if I finish dressing up sooner than I expected? I cannot just throw my patience-related tantrums on my parents can I? In these rare moments (and I tell you, this is only the second time) that I have to do the waiting, I do nothing but check on them minute after minute. This time though, I made good of my time. I decided to take pictures of me instead. Sounds kind of narcissistic but still, it's a better way than sitting in the corner and mope ;)

From Apr 11, 2011

From Apr 11, 2011

New ring from H & M - thanks, Tita! :)

When I saw these red roses, I can't help but feel all so mushy. They're gifts from my tito to tita. Sweet persons pa din sila eh!

I know a lot of persons who refrain from wearing anything that is orange. I, too, was not really friends with this color. But this summer time, I decided to add Orange to what I wear once in a while. I'm going to blog soon about this! :D

Would you believe I had my mom buy me my own Nerf? I'm eccentric, I know but I didn't know that my mom could be so supportive of my ideals. Few weeks ago, my 10-year old cousin Vince, along with my brother Gio, had a good time hunting me and my 18-year old cousin Alissa down. They had this Shoot-to-kill order that they religiously followed. To seek revenge for what they've done to us, I begged my mom to get me my own Nerf. I can't wait to be with my cousins this wednesday for another session :)

Unpredictable

Yet again, she found herself battling with the greatest adversary she could ever face: herself. Something's wrong, she just can't point her fingers as to what.

Brace yourself, friends. A whole lot of change is coming.

All those Green Icky Stuff

google.com

I am so proud of myself. Very, very, very proud. Today marks the 31st day of my journey in becoming a vegetarian. I haven't eaten any pork, beef and chicken since the eve of February 28. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to accomplish my then month-long goal because I tell you when you see my brothers eat, you'll think that they're having their last meal on Earth. But I was able to resist. It amazed me knowing that I have quite a good hold on myself.

Honeydew Melons - my favorite fruit google.com

Potato Chips? I think I'll pass. google.com

I'm not a Vegan, I'm only a Vegetarian. There's a difference. I don't eat meat, pork or any poultry but I eat seafood, eggs, and dairy products. I eat veggies too, on a daily basis. I love fruits so very much. The trick in eating fruits is, you should only eat one kind at a time. For example you want honeydews, then you should stick with honeydews alone. This is the mono diet ;) I don't necessarily detest potatoes but I don't eat them if they're fried. Even potato chips are a no no. I have been observing this potato craze since last year. So yes, I haven't eaten fries since last year.

So, what kinds of food do I eat now, you might ask. Here they are:

Vegetarian Mexican food - I love Mexican foods! The cheesier, the better google.com

Another of my favorites: maki rolls. Teriyaki Boy serves sumptuous vegetarian makis. google.com

My breakfast is usually composed of my favorite cereals, Fruit Loops, an apple and a glass of milk google.com

 g

I can't let go of my favorite junk food google.com

Even ice cream, I still eat.

So you see, it's not all salad and all those green icky stuff. Besides, I'm doing those animals I do not anymore eat a favor, don't I? :)

P.S. Before trying becoming a Vegetarian, consult your dietitian first :)

Don't try my Patience

Patience, as we all know, is a virtue that each one of us must possess for us to become somebody in the future. As how one of our sayings goes, all good things come to he who waits. So you see, patience is such a powerful tool. Plus, my teachers keep on telling me these things. But come on, I've far accepted that though I may be able to write things about patience, this virtue is something I never got to learn. I don't wait, as simple as that. I don't approve of the idea of being idle for even just a few minutes because something or much worse, someone is keeping me from doing whatever that I have to do. I know how to waste my own time so thanks, but no thanks, I don't need your help. Here's the thing, I try, as much as I can, not to inconvenient anyone. In return, please do not cause any inconvenience on my part. I'm practically trying to make you guys (my dear friends) understand the reason behind my mood swings. Nothing can upset me more than making me wait. Alright except maybe when you become the cause of my not being able to watch Phineas and Ferb or The Simpsons. Gosh, I really have issues with my patience. I know I'm ranting now, sorry. If in any case you have been a victim of my sudden outburst due to my impatience, I'm sincerely sorry. I'm trying to do something about it already, but so far, I haven't found any remedy.

Patience evokes a sweet, serene and calm disposition, according to me.

Quite the Adversary

With all fairness, you have proven yourself to be quite the adversary. Of whom, of what? I would love to narrate all the gory details of my brainwork but I'm afraid it would scare the day lights out of you. 

My pretty mom and me
One of these days, I'm going to borrow her dress.

SUMMER!!! I'm dying to see you.