(Your name here)'s Blog

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

"That's how people go on forever, you know? Because someone takes them along."

" A love so real even after your dead, it hurts. That's all I want. "

" This is your life right now, it doesn't wait for you to get back on your feet."

Last Updated @ 4:13 PM

Y

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Last Updated @ 12:46 PM

Y

...isn't it pretty? Thank you, pare. :)

Last Updated @ 12:41 PM

Y

One day to go before the big birthday bash! Yey!! I'm so excited not only because I'll be receiving lots of gifts and talk about the good 'ol yummy foods but because tomorrow is Jesus' birthday and I have more than enough reasons to celebrate and be happy.

I'm not spending my Christmas buying gifts for everyone, though. Not because I'm on a tight budget but because I've finally come to realize that when you give gifts, even small little things to people you don't even know (especially the needy), it's twice the happiness you feel when you see the smile on the faces of your loved ones after they opened your gift. I'm not saying that I'm not going to give gifts to my family and friends. I will. But this time, I'll be giving gifts to poor children. And not just any gift. Things that are precious to me since my childhood days.

Since I was a kid, I have collected more than a hundred teddy bears and hello kitty stuff. They mean the world to me because whenever I look at them, I instantly take trips down to memory lane and remember how happy and carefree I was when I was a child. It's not an easy thing to do. To give the things you love to kids you don't even know. But I know they need those toys more. They lack so many things that I have and I can't bear to see them suffer while I am havin' so much fun. It isn't their fault that they are poor. I want them to experience the same happiness I feel. I want them to feel that someone out there cares for them. I want them to know that this life has so much beauty. I want them to realize that there are so many good things that this life has to offer. And lastly, I want them to know that God will ALWAYS BE THERE.

Before i gave them all away to Maaga Ang Pasko sa Jollibee, I took first a picture of them as a remembrance of my beautiful childhood days.

I know they need these toys more than I do. And now, I've got a hundred reasons to be merry this season! Merry Christmas everyone!!! :)

Last Updated @ 10:52 AM

Y

Friday, December 22, 2006

If all I did everyday was look at the things I wanted, I would never be grateful for the things I have. So I decided to help brighten my current predicament by writing down at least three things that cost little to nothing but still put a smile on my face.

1. Book sales
cost:P25-150

The great thing about books is that unless you are an obsessive-compulsive, the impact they give never depends on how old they are. Some of the best books I've collected have come from book sales. I love the sweet, musty smell of the brown paper and the satisfaction I get out of reading stories so enlightening for so little money. Whenever a book sale comes a round, I buy at leat 3-5 books from authors both heard and unheard of and just joyfully attack them like a carnivore who was finally given meat after months of vegan.

2.Predicures
cost: P50

If you nhave never spent on a simple pedicure, I know you will thank me, or at least your feet will, for posting this entry. There is nothing like clean toes smiling back at you. Especially in our tropical archipelago where slippers are the footwear of choice. I use toe rings on a daily basis so pedicures sans nail polish is just the pass to my walking a little lighter.

3. Dirty ice cream or taho
cost: P10

A samll cone of dirty ice cream (with ube, cheese and chocolate of course!) is just enough to satisfy countless carvings at once. And the crunchy sugar cone is a pinoy classic, I personally prefer it to Haagen Dazs' gargantuan waffle of a cone. The area I live is far from cries of taho vendors or mamang sorbeteros so I always look forward to trips out of town where I can have two large glasses of this syrupy, soya cocktail for breakfast.

Okay, those are my three simple pleasures for the week. What are yours? :)

Last Updated @ 5:09 PM

Y

Saturday, December 16, 2006

The bad blogger in me has come out again. But please, don't think taht because no "real" posts have sprung from my head I have left everyone high and dry.

Here are a few random excerpts from my life:

I have come to accept that no matter how much I beg for a breather, it's not going to come.

If my head is pounding from a headache and I just want to lie down on my t-shirt sheets with Poochie's warm lil body cuddled beside me, it does not mean the rest of the world will stop calling the cellphone-of-torture or that people will stop looking for me. I've finally accepted fully that my being busy is a good sign. It is something my pals and I bulit out of a simple dream and made concrete and touchable. It is a challenge we overcame and still fight on a daily basis. We have plans... Big plans.

It is an amazing feeling.

You can't give parts of yourself to other people (whether in work, love or any aspect of your life) if you, yourself are not complete. It is a simple rule that only a few people decide to follow.

I've decided to consider lunches or time spent with girlfriends, family or quiet time alone as a necessity. Just as important as work. So I inked these events in my organizer and enjoy them fully. They save my sanity and serve as my whip cream of the day.

I enjoy having long lunches with girlfriends I haven't seen in months and catching up on recent developments in our lives across a plate of pizza, I enjoy laughing 'till tears start to come out of my eyes, reading a really good book Ican't put down right before bed or baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies (like I know how to).

Sober, intoxicated or just plain bored. Singing has always been an outlet for me. I promised myself that before 2007 ends I will enroll in a singing lesson. I want to be able to take something I love and do something grand just for the fun of it.

I'm not a perfect person with a perfect life. No one is. But I am a young person. With a lot of drive, passion, desire for growth and change. That should serve as enough of an edge for a fantastic year. :)

a shot of me enjoying the sun. Taken by Sacha babe :-)

Song Playin': Nina's I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend

Last Updated @ 5:30 PM

Y

Friday, December 15, 2006

Rain, minutes before going to Pangasinan.

Inside the bus..

My in-laws :)

Our Lady Of Manaoag.

Our Lady Of Manaoag again..

Rain's 'rents inside the church

Outside the church

kiss-y :) :)

he loves moi...

my hubby and i..

mwaaahhh!! :-*

baby hug!

Last Updated @ 6:30 PM

Y

Thursday, December 07, 2006

I made this one 'cause I was bored. I think it's pretty nice =)

This is a letter Sam made for me. It looks really cool, don't you think? :P

Ang kalat ng stuffs namin no? Heehee.. :)

so the loooooooong line to donut heaven!

so I made a note...

read this...

About ten people wanted to... But we're shy... Lol!

Having lunch at Ino's place. Wala ako sa pic! :D

L-O-V-E <3

havin' fun at Sacha's place

happee birthday Sacha, dear! :)

mi cuarto again... It doesn't look like me. Bakit kaya?

Btw, I uploaded the pics from Mik's debut last October. You may want to check it out. Just search for the entry "Upadate". :D

P.S. All pics taken by my lomo cam.

Last Updated @ 5:12 PM

Y

mi cuarto

I am officially addicted.

Whether it's seeing a friend in a whole new night, Capturing the look of contentment on the face of a fat sleeping puppy, or seeing the colors of the sky more vivid that I could ever remember. The lomo bug has bit me badly. And I can't seem to stop.

In a day and age where speed and instant gratification are as common as eating and sleeping, getting into lomography has taught me that some of the better things in life are worth the wait. From using real film all over again, having to wind my camera once I'm done, and twindling my fingers in anticipation hoping that my shots will look just the way I envisioned them to when they get back from the hands of my trusty developer, lomo-love has found it's way into my heart.

I remember telling my friends the other week how sad I felt that in the last few years of shooting hundreds of pictures to capture various events in my life, I have no "real" albums to show to them.

The albums that used to line my shelf for my friends to grab so they could merrily take trips down to memory lane, stopped around 3 years ago. From then, all photos are held in a fragile state of limbo by a tempermental hard drive that can choose to lose them any day now. It's a sad state.

Having a lomo camera is old-fashoined fun. Similar to the feeling you get after receving a real hand-written letter from a good 'ol friend from another country (something my friend Marian still does, she's cool like that), brewing your own coffee from scratch or taking the time to make kick-ass scrap book :)

Sometimes when life just passes by so quickly, it never hurts to invest in a few things that will remind you to stop, breathe and appreciate the scenery. I think I'm going to start taking the scenic route more often.

:)

Now Playing: Jessica Simpson's A Public Affair

Last Updated @ 3:00 PM

Y

Sunday, December 03, 2006

The other day I was having eggplant and cheese sandwich with some friends at Figaro when some people we knew walked in. Without a hi or hello, the first thing an acquiantance said when she saw me took a bite of my sandwich was "So are you going to throw that up after?" Nothing but the look of disbelief on my face (not to mention that my pal Amanda looked like she was going to spit her food at her for being such an ass), he quickly replied with it being meant as a joke towards models in general. My question is: Why such bad rep for models?

I'm sure everyone has heard the stories of easy money, major fasting before shows, sharp back stabbing behind the catwalk and models know nothing in their heads but how to properly put on eyeshadow. I think these are unfair generalizations and I'd like to point out some of the myths.

1. Modeling is just a simple way to make big bucks.
This is partially true. When you nab a big campaign two days of work can actually give you a seven-digit salary. But how often do you think that happens? For over 25 castings, go sees, vtr's and trips to places unknown to metroplis, you are considered lucky to even get one job. Getting a big job is like winning the lottery --- you just happened to be at the right casting for the right kind of look. It doesn't happen often enough and the amount of try-outs that models have to go through are enough to say that it's well-earned to finally get a big gig.

my friend Samantha on a shoot for Monaco.

2. Models are stuck-up and egotistical.
This is farthest from the truth. Every model I've come across is easy to talk to and more than willing to help you out when you don't have a clue about the formulas for a show. Models are used to meeting new faces on a regular basis and are prepared to help newcomers and start the small talk. Models aren't egotistical, they simply have to show confidence because in this industry, it is crucial. Picture this, you have 30 minutes to get ready for a show, the stylist has just given you the outfits you are supposed to wear, you begin to squeeze into a rather tight looking pair of jeans and... gasp! They don't fit! You meekly come up to the stylist and ask if there is a bigger size. Instead of helping you out, he begins to shout at you in front of all the other models, dressers and designers (who have now focused all the attention to the scene in front of them) that he only gets "model sizes" and if you cannot fit into that pair it means you are fat and have no right to be a model. You now have been used as a public example of a model who doesn't deserve to be one. I have seen situations like this happen right in front of my eyes over three times and I am telling you right now, if you don't have your own confidence or your own self-worth, YOU WON'T LAST.

my friend-slash-kababata Jane strutting her stuff for CCC.

3. Models are stupid.
What if I tell you I know models who are physicists, psychologists and even med students? Everyone gets into this industry for their own reasons --- to make money for their family/schooling, to be popular, to have pretty pictures for their kids to see. I could go on and on. The same way models are there for different reasons, there are different levels of intelligence in the industry. C'mon, let's be honest: You don't need to know calculus to be a model but like what my best-est pal said you have to have the biggest heart and one of the bravest spirits.

Having a break at Macky's party-slash-fashion show of Superfly.

And no, I didn't throw up my food after I ate. :)

Last Updated @ 3:23 PM

Y

Friday, December 01, 2006

As soon as i woke up, I stared hard at the calendar and mumbled to myself, "December na pala."I still can't believe how time treks SO FAST. I went downstairs, and as I stepped out the door (thank God the rain stooped) I breathed heavily and inhaled the fresh and soothing wind of December.

Christmas carols at night.

Christmas trees and lanterns that light up the entire town.

The smell of oh-so-yummy puto bumbong and bibingka during Simbang Gabi.

Busy shoppers rushing about in the streets.

Gift-givings and Christmas parties.

Noche Buena *yum*

These are just some of the things that puts me in the mood for Christmas. This is the holiday that I have been anticipating every year. And I am so in the mood to do some shopping for mah best-est pals. I'm dying to get a hold of Cinnamons. Smells so christmas-y! :)

I would also love to receive gifts (of course, who doesn't?!). So I made a list of the things that I want to HAVE this Christmas. I called it my "All I Want For Christmas Wish List." Mind if I share 'em wit 'ya?

1. Ipod Video (o kahit ipod nano na lang, hahaha!)

2. Apple ibook. I'm sooo dying to have 'em!

3. Carebears (blue or green pwede na!)

4. Samsung D900 (I want to change my beat-up cellphone this coming holiday)

5. Chuck Taylors, the one with heels.

6. Hello Kitty wallet from Gift Gate. Naiingit kasi ako sa suede wallet ng besh ko. :(

7. A whole collection of Paulo Coelho's novels.

8. Belly button ring in time for next year's Bora. (sana!)

9. A pair of cute bikini or tankini from Naf Naf or Nothing But Water. Color blue or green or pink dapat ah!

10. A DVD of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Mas maganda kasi 'yung 70s version e.

11. P20, 000 worth of gift certificate to L'oreal, Mango, Zara or Penshoppe.

12. A biiiig teddy bear from Bear Cuddler. Complete set. 'Yung may damit na extra ha. Hahaha!

13. Tifanny necklace. (o siya, sige, kahit anong necklace na lang)

14. Vintage-esque maletas from Casa Amarillo.

15. A new pair of stilettos.

16. Palm Z22. Kailangan ko nang ayusin ang buhay ko e.

17. A pretty pair of flats.

18. Evanescence's The Open Door

19. Puto bumbong. Maraming marami!

20. Caroling. Oh yeah!

21. Name necklace and chokers. "jill" 'yung nakalagay ah.

22. Cookies and crinkles to satisfy my sweeth tooth.

23. Partyin' in Embassy. I wanna go back!!!

24. High School Musical Soundtrack. I still can't get enough of Zac Efron :) :)

25. Pretty pretty pretty skirt!

26. Lee Stafford Poker Staright Shampoo and Conditioner. My waves are coming back! Oh no!!

27. Keychain na star.

28. Never Let Me Go novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Hanapin niyo 'yan please!

29. P1, ooo worth of gift certificate to Dashing Diva. Kung gusto niyong dagdagan, pwede rin!

30. Havaianas!!!

31. Less traffic.

32. Peace of mind ('san ba nabibili 'yan?!)

33. LOVE. <3

There you go. The last one though, is the best gift I want to receive this holiday season. Believe it or not. Still NOTHING BEATS LOVE. <3 I think I'll go check this list next Christmas and see how far these "wants" came true. May one year pa naman ulit kayo para bigyan ako nyan! Wahaha! :)) :))

Last Updated @ 1:49 PM

Y