GPOY

When I was a kid, I was extremely camera-shy. I hated class photos and all things that involved smiling and flashes. After arriving in Manila for the university, I was introduced to digital cameras and the joy they bring. Khalid and Desiderata, my college buddies, taught me the holy trinity of camerawhoring: pose, smile, upload.

I like it when people take photos of themselves, doing whatever pose they can think of and wearing whatever clothes they want. Lookbook fan, I am.


Years later, I'm still the little camerawhore I used to be back in college. When the mood strikes, I set up my dependable digicam, rummage my closet for some outfit, and turn my room into a messy "studio." Oh my wasted weekends.


Looking back, it's quite fun knowing that through this "activity," I have gained confidence and discovered my own sense of style. Yuck that sentence is the corniest shit I have ever written. So here I am sharing the products of those wasted weekends. No judgments, this is not America's Next Top Model or YOUR blog. 

Right after graduation, I decided to go for a really short haircut. The background: an old college art project. This was May of 2009. I look like a boy.

2010 photos. Made the background collage out of magazine pages. Improvising like a boss. Side story: When I turned 22, I decided to have my ears pierced. It was one of the the bravest things that I have ever done in my life.

Cat cameo. Meet Nine, my furry kid.

2011 photos. Rocked the bangs after my 23rd birthday.  

I only have one photo for 2012. I guess I got lazy. Will try to catch up. 

If you're into fashion + photos + styling + makeup + dressing up, try visiting these sites: Lookbook for some fashion inspiration and Kookie Buhain cos I think she's the only legit fashion blogger in the country. 

VASH

Valerie and Francis welcomed their first baby today. They named her Alexia Vashti. I told Val that I'll call the kid Vash cos it sounds so cool and she told me that they were planning to call her Vash, too. Friends do think alike. Too bad I can't be there right now. Here are some photos of their cute little angel.

I am so happy for my friends. I know they'll be amazing parents. Hello little girl, I can't wait to see you soon!

Thanks Avi for the photos.

Music Musings

Let me tell you a story. Back in 2009, news spread like wildfire that The Killers will have a one-night concert here in Manila. February 2010. I was ecstatic. December 2009, Tati, my former officemate and I, bought our tickets. Excited kids, we were. February came and a week before the big night, the band broke up. Concert, cancelled. Hearts, broken. Fans, angry and disappointed.


Been a fan of The Killers since I was a freshman university dork. I remember singing along so hard to their catchy songs like the overplayed Mr. Brightside, Smile Like You Mean It, and my personal favorite, Read My Mind. The hate due to the last-minute concert cancellation eventually evaporated and I continued to be a fangirl. I admittedly have a weak soul for men named Brandon. Plus Ronnie Vannucci looks like Jason Lee. Now tell me, who could ever hate a guy who looks like Earl? No one.


Fast forward to 2012. The band's back together and they are coming out with a new album. Last night, they released their first single, Runaways. I listened to it a few minutes ago and I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't blown away but I was pretty surprised. In a good way. They still sound like how they should sound. Classic The Killers. Brandon Flowers doing what he should be doing and the rest of the band creating melodies that they should be creating. Same riffs, same song story, same Vegas-style sound. Even Brandon's Morrissey-ish voice fits. Okay don't be sensitive, Smiths fans. I'm not saying that they sound the same but it's kind of known that Brandon Flowers is influenced greatly by Morrissey.

Runaways reminds me of morning train rides. I don't really know why. The song is comfortable. It's like a blanket. Comfy, warm, and snug.


Change is good blah blah. But why fix something that isn't broken? I adore The Killers for not changing their style. Four out of five stars, definitely. Huddle close, listen.

In other news, another favorite band came out with a song last night. Oh world, you have amazing ways of showing you love people like me. BLOC PARTY IS BACK! Yep, Kele is still on vocals and Matt Tong is still on drums. Same people, same line-up. I think the disbandment rumor was deliberately started by the members to screw the minds of puny creatures like me. I was shocked when NME came out with an article hinting that Kele was booted out of the band. After all the drama and the fuckeries, come, let's dance to Octopus.

Are you a Bloc Party listener? No? You can now thank me for introducing you to real music. That's talent right there. Kele has probably one of the most unique voices in the music scene. Two thumbs up. I can't wait for the full album. If you have time to waste, try watching live Bloc Party performances on YouTube. Just a tip: prepare some tissue, you might end up crying.

Follow the official Twitter accounts of both bands:


The Killers
Bloc Party


Note: This is actually my futile attempt to do a music review. Sorry I will do better next time.

My world is not round, it's twisted.

If I have what you have, I will do what you're not doing. - My thoughts when I'm trying to be profound.


Any time now, one of my best friends will give birth to a beautiful baby girl. Yes, I am 100% positive that the child will be gorgeous because she has good-looking parents. A few months more, the other best friend will get married. To her soulmate.


I'll skip a day from work, pack my bags and go home for Tiffany's special day. I will dance (drunk-dancing, probably), drink (a lot, I guess), laugh (really loud), cry a little (shamelessly), drink some more (a lot, I guess), and give a funny bridesmaid's speech which I'm pretty sure will involve ruined eye make-up. I'm emotional during weddings. Yuck I'm such a girl. 


My whole family will be in Davao during the same date. I picked my best friend's wedding over Davao. Mindanao can wait. House party, anyone? 


It's is truly amazing to see people who deserve to be happy, happy. I am extremely proud of my friends and the adult decisions and plans they have. 


In a parallel universe, I have a boyfriend,  I hate cats, and I love kids. And I'm planning my own wedding (instead of midnight blogging). Sorry for the overuse of parentheses. 


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I have a restless personality. I love doing stuff. Hate doing stuff that I thought I love. Love stuff that I thought I hate. It's an endless process. My mind is like a washing machine. Continuously turning, different directions, bubbles.


My point? Nothing. See, different directions and bubbles. This entry is verrrry random. I just started working for a new company, a big one, and I don't know if I can pull it off. Everything's new. Things I haven't done in my professional life. Overreacting? Maybe. Scared? Intensely. Hopeful? YES. OkayyuckwhatprofessionallifefuckeryamItalkingabout.


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Okay so I have decided that this entry will have micro posts with random shiznits. 


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I just had a little misunderstanding with my mother a while ago. Dear self, show some respect. Get your act together. Stop acting like a child. FOCUS. Dear mother, I am really sorry. I will try my best to be the daughter you deserve to have. Sorry and I love you. 


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Listening to:

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Thinking of how I can listen to music while working. I desperately need music in my life especially on weekdays and during stressful situations. Universe help me. Hi Tom Hiddleston I love you. Speaking of Hollywood celebrities, try visiting THIS Tumblr account and instantly feel good about yourself. Trust me, it works.

Pinto Art Gallery and Museum

Nestled inside a quaint village in Antipolo, Pinto Art Gallery and Museum is a haven for people who create art, appreciate art, and curious about art. The place provides a charming and irresistible mix of nature and human creativity, making it stand out from the usual art galleries we frequently see in the metro. Definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. 

Hi Tom

No one can ever replace Brandon Boyd's spot in my heart but I'm very much willing to give a little bit of space for Tom Hiddleston.


The guy is perfect. He is 31 years old, a graduate of Cambridge, acted in successful films, fucking good-looking, shares the Sexiest Voice In The World title with Brandon Boyd (for me), and probably a real Norse god in disguise.


I was lurking around Twitter when I stumbled upon his profile. I was actually looking for legit RDJ and Hemsworth accounts at that time. I have read somewhere that he has hordes of fans on Tumblr that's why I got curious and decided to check what the fuss is all about. Loki's Army, that's what they call themselves. Okay, I won't go that far --joining fan groups and the like -- but after going through his more than a thousand tweets (yes, I was hooked), I got smitten. Yep.


First of all, the guy has flawless taste in music. God, he listens to The National, Phoenix, Bon Iver, Pearl Jam,  Radiohead, etc. He is so proper. He knows how to write the '90s properly. His laugh is sexy, the way the cuss is sexy, him doing nothing is sexy. He is a dream. A red-haired, scruffy dream. He won't pass for a Weasley because he is dang too gorgeous (sorry, Ron). He definitely intensified my weakness for scruff and facial hair. He is nice to his fans, too. I have observed after watching tons of YouTube videos. Yes I'm creepy and obsessed. Shut up.


Tom Hiddleston - If Music Be The Food of Love
Please click. If you're a girl, prepare to get pregnant. If you're a straight guy, prepare to gay it all out for 59 seconds. Hear that? Just my ovaries exploding. I'm sorry.

Borrowed from thisperspective.tumblr.com

Summer Summary

Dear Manila, 

To tell you the truth, I didn't really miss you. 

Joaz

I think I just got hired. It's for a big company. I guess I'll keep my fingers and toes crossed for this one to work out. 

I spent the summer in Aurora and proved to myself once again that there's no place like home. Sticking to the original plan, I enrolled myself to baking class. Met new people and made new friends. Amazing experience, really. Was not able to finish it dough (get it?) because I got sick for two weeks. Remember: dieting has always a downside. In my case, it's being bedridden for two freakin weeks. Hell. I seriously thought I was going to die.

Here are some of the stuff we baked.

Creampuffs

Cake! I miss you Ate Gandanah! Thank you for being nice to me.

Muffins

(By the way , if you got nothing to do, TESDA is offering FREE baking classes. Yep, FREE. It's for one month. Just bring an apron and you're good to go.)

Aside from baking class, my hiatus mainly consisted of morning runs with my father, late afternoon or early morning bike rides, and weekend gatherings with my aunts. I also developed this adoration for my nephew Renzo because he is so funny and witty and cute. 

Airstrip aka where we jog every morning.

Was able to spend time with my best friends too. I love them both to bits. You see, I don't have too many close friends. I value these two a lot.

Dear Tiffany, I will never forget that night when we slept really late because we were talking about really jologs stuff. I am really happy for you and for the big things that will happen to you this year.

Dear Valerie, you're the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen. I can't wait for baby girl to come out. I think you're going to be a great mom. I will give her the gift of kaartehan and wisdom.

Our "FRIENDS 4EVER" photo. HAHA.

Dicasalarin Cove

I had a little reunion with my high school friends too.

Thank you Karyl for the photos!

Going home also means going to the beach. I have blogged about beaching too many times. I won't do it here. Will post photos instead.

Made an artwork out of my bedroom door!

Took photos of myself, too. You should forgive the bored, you know.

Now I'm back in the city and is ready for the chaos that is working. It's time for new adventures! Hope to bump into each one of you along the way. Come on Manila, show me what ya got!