Another Year Older

I’ve been spending a lot of my free time browsing Pinterest so I thought, might as well make it useful for me. Aside from saving the boards I deem helpful to me either now or in the long run, I can make the quotes I read there writing prompts here. After all, I’m a self-proclaimed chatterbox who can talk endlessly. Besides, there has to be a way to make this self-serving blog continue rolling. Haha!

2014's birthday celebration has been different from the previous years. If before I'm all for having numerous celebrations with the different people in my life, this year I chose to be behind the curtain. I woke up days before the 8th of January and decided I no longer wanted to put me in the middle of everything. I'm so used to doing things in respect of myself and for once, I wanted to step back a little. Even if it was the one day in a year that I can get away with the it's-all-about-me attitude; especially because it was my birthday. Of course, there's been a celebration. My mom wouldn't let it pass without one. But I let her do all the planning. 

Top: Topshop | Shorts: Zara | Watch: Anne Klein | Turban: Flatterbuy | Belt: Giordano | Sandals: Topshop

Thanks to the management of Vieux Chalet for my cakes. I've deleted the photo of the other one. Your food never changes, it's still as good as how I remembered it!

What are the worries of people who have reached their twenties? Aren't they supposed to be taking the first step towards the realization of their lifetime wish? What if they don't know where to start? What happens then? How come sometimes the doubts eat up the enthusiasm? I turned another year older. I know so because it's getting too difficult to find the answers.

Over-all Verdict: 

It was different but it doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. It was rather pleasant :)

Wicked

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
 So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
- For Good

I was contemplating on the title I'll use for this post. Then I thought, I've already used plenty of phrases from the songs of Wicked in a couple of previous posts even way back in 2010 just because it's a memorable broadway musical for me, so perhaps there's no better way to entitle this post than simply 'Wicked'. 

Dress: Promod | Sweater: Zara | Shoes: Topshop | Black and gold necklace: Debenhams | Gold peacock necklace: from Macau | Flower ring: Mango

I'm through accepting limits
'Cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know
- Defying Gravity

My last noteworthy activity in HS is our class' production of Wicked. I was entrusted the role of Director so as expected of me, I thoroughly read the script of the broadway musical and excessively listened to its songs. I even hired a voice coach to train the class' leads. If there's anything I took away from that experience, (let's be honest on this, the class didn't bag the over-all best production award), it has to be my renewed love for all things musical. 

One question haunts and hurts
Too much, too much to mention,
Was I really seeking good
Or just seeking attention?
- No Good Deed



There's a kind of a sort of: cost
There's a couple of things get: lost
There are bridges you cross
You didn't know you crossed
Until you've crossed
And if that joy, that thrill
Doesn't thrill you like you think it will
- Thank Goodness

Last 7 February 2014, I watched the broadway production of Wicked which was brought here in Manila with my grandmom who has just gotten back from her year long 'vacation' in the US. Let me borrow her lines when she said, "I can't think of words fit enough to describe it so let's just settle with AWESOME". I loved the musical from the beginning to the ending and if only there is some over-generous financier out there who'll be willing to shell out another Orchestra-seat for me, I'll watch it once more! Haha! It's definitely one of my two most favorite musicals of all time.

It's all in which label
Is able to persist
There are precious few at ease
With moral ambiguities
So we act as though they don't exist
- Wonderful

Of all the lines in Wicked, this is what I've identified with the most. Not to break any of your impressions of me but let's be clear on this one. I may have plenty of both pensive and senseless thoughts alike but never take out of the equation shallowness. But hey, I don't really consider vanity or the thirst to have more, more, and more of superficial things a bad thing. As long as no harm is done to others in pursuit of ones' goals, I still believe that that's completely understandable. Also, I think that there's some brilliance in the kind of shallowness both Fiyero and Glinda displayed. I'm a Machiavellian kind of thinker, as I've mentioned countless of times here, so the result has always been of considerable weight to me when determining the success. Both Fiyero and Glinda eventually got what they wanted, even if they appeared to be, in Fiyero's own word, brainless. When you've gotten what you've wanted, without doing so much as just putting on a pretence of helplessness, you're not stupid in my book. You're actually a genius. Imagine having your desired results delivered at your feet by someone who thought you couldn't do it on your own. Brilliant!

Maybe I'm brainless
Maybe I'm wise
But you've got me seeing
Through different eyes
 - As Long As You're Mine

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! :)

Resort 2014 Inspirations

1. Saint Laurent

2. Michael Kors Resort 2014

3. Lanvin Resort 2014

4. Givenchy

5. Carolina Herrera

6. Chanel

7. Balmain

8. Alexander McQueen

9. Alice + Olivia

10. Valentino

All of a sudden, I found myself browsing the Resort lookbook I've created for no good reason at all. It's raining outside as I type, yet my mind is wandering to somewhere sunny and new to my eyes. The clothes I've shared here are my top picks from the Resort 2014 collections. Which ones are yours? :)

Pictures via style.com

Travel Philippines: Hacienda Escudero

My midterms for my last academic term in college has already passed and I already have an idea how I fared so far. In some subjects, I am flourishing while in some, I am still in the tiring see-saw stage. It's my fault, really. I wasn't able to attend the first two weeks of the term because the clinic held up my clearance. But anyway, since when did I ever have a smooth-sailing beginning of the term right? I'm so used to hassles and inconveniences that I would soon declare them as my middle names. I've plenty of weak points too you know. Haha! Honestly, I've decided to resume maintaining this virtual diary on December, the day after I'm done with my thesis and OJT. But I decided to put my virtual life on full resume button now because I've proven to myself that above all else, I make myself happy when I see some semblance of progress in my life through published posts. It's like whenever I open my page and read some of my posts, I get to relive the experience I've had. The tip of the iceberg? It's when I start reading or hearing the comments that I never thought would come my way. (wink wink)

Because I've been out for so long, there are plenty of stories in pictures ready for viewing. Here's the first batch of photos. Since my last post was about my brother's birthday, let me continue with the second part of his celebration. The following pictures were taken in Hacienda Escudero last May.




My cousin Rayne was in her element when this picture was taken. Meaning, she's in her "I want to ride that raft. If not, I'd throw tantrums" mood. Hahaha


Check out the room I shared with my grandmom





Wondering why the photos seem to be familiar? Perhaps it's because of THIS and THIS.
Want to know the other reason why I immediately went back to publishing stories again? It's because my vocabulary is kind of getting rusty. Hahaha