Kathy is Chasing Pavements

Sky Full Of Lighters

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:51:00 +0000

You start to realize, that moment when you stare at your reflection in the mirror, that you have gained a bazzillion pounds. You start to itemize the stuff you have been eating and try to figure out who the nitwit have been forcing you to eat them. You start to arrive at the conclusion that it was all you. You and your self-confessed obsession for gluttony. And you start to berate yourself and talk about the million of reasons why you should stay in shape.

A few minutes later, your hands are reaching for that tasty burger. And you curse that person who invented the word diet. And you curse yourself more for caring.

Shameless. Shameless. Your lack of self-control is nothing short of shameful.

How I wish the weather isn't so temperamental. One minute the sun is attempting to roast you alive and the other minute, it is trying to bathe you. Tropical countries have the most unpredictable weathers. One lives on tenterhooks on what sort of weather is going to greet you in the morning.

Anyhow, I would just like to solicit a few good lucks. I signed up for two full time work. I know that sounds a bit daunting but wait till you hear that I also have one part-time work. I'll also be tutoring. What this basically means is that I will be working my butt off in the next coming weeks. I'm pretty sure I'm biting off more than I can chew but what the hey! It's all in the mind. I'll be chugging energy drinks like crazy. :'((

Having A Coke With You

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 08:25:00 +0000

HAVING A COKE WITH YOU
Frank O'Hara

is even more fun than going to San Sebastian, Irún, Hendaye, Biarritz, Bayonne
or being sick to my stomach on the Travesera de Gracia in Barcelona
partly because in your orange shirt you look like a better happier St. Sebastian
partly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for yoghurt
partly because of the fluorescent orange tulips around the birches
partly because of the secrecy our smiles take on before people and statuary
it is hard to believe when I'm with you that there can be anything as still
as solemn as unpleasantly definitive as statuary when right in front of it
in the warm New York 4 o'clock light we are drifting back and forth
between each other like a tree breathing through its spectacles

and the portrait show seems to have no faces in it at all, just paint
you suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever did them

I look at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world
except possibly for the Polish Rider occasionally and anyway it's in the Frick
which thank heavens you haven't gone to yet so we can go together the first time
and the fact that you move so beautifully more or less takes care of Futurism
just as at home I never think of the Nude Descending a Staircase or
at a rehearsal a single drawing of Leonardo or Michelangelo that used to wow me
and what good does all the research of the Impressionists do them
when they never got the right person to stand near the tree when the sun sank
or for that matter Marino Marini when he didn't pick the rider as carefully
as the horse

it seems they were all cheated of some marvelous experience
which is not going to go wasted on me which is why I am telling you about it

You Cannot Fathom The Immensity Of The Damn I Do Not Give

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 12:42:00 +0000

I'm back! Did anyone even miss me? haha~ oh well...

I've been slacking off, I know. Aside from meeting a ton of work-related deadlines, I also felt the need to distance myself a bit from social media. The vibe I've been perceiving lately has left a sour taste in my mouth. I even ended up deactivating my Facebook account for a few days, forcing some of my closest friends to direct their queries to my boyfriend. hee~ I've been mulling over the idea of deleting my current account and starting anew. I didn't want to go through the extra trouble of sorting my friends list and eliminating the ones I deem irrelevant to my life. ~~(or the ones who will most likely judge. but then, i'm pretty much judging them saying this)~~.

Thankfully, the blogosphere has been nothing short of sane and marvelous.

Anyways, the past few days have been kind of a wreck for me. I usually start the day taking inventory of all my aches and pains. The tooth the dentist treated a couple of weeks ago is still bothering me. I'm also still recovering from a mild sprain. I sprained my left foot last Saturday whilst trying a 3-inch-ish pair of clogs on uneven pavement. It didn't help that I am horribly uncoordinated. /fail.

But I'm so grateful for the weekend Baguio reprieve! A lot of walking (hello limping gait!) and binging . We are actually self-confessed foodies.

@ Teriyaki Boy

Pesto, Grilled Chicken and Garlic Panini

my take-out Ramen

If you like to eat good Italian meals without busting the bank, eat at Cucinino. Value for your money! Also, never take out Gyoza. They wilt and you'll have a hard time chopsticking (is this even a word?) them.

And oh, the outfit photos above are Vivi-inspired. <3 I heart Vivi. I have this huge love for Lena.

Vivi June 2011

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:56:00 +0000

Some of my favorite Vivi June 2011 scans. A slew of pretty photos to inspire you. Lena is fast becoming my favorite Japanese model.

And oh, I'm back from my hiatus.

Really? Seriously?

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sun, 22 May 2011 11:39:00 +0000

I have been given the privilege of working in the comforts of my own home. Because of that, I don't get out often.

This is the part where I use my being cooped up in the four corners of my room during the most part of the week as an excuse for always making a point to dress to the nines whenever i go out.

What can i say? I like wearing pretty clothes. That's not a crime, is it?

Hindi ako umaarte or nagfee-feeling maganda or nagfee-feeling mayaman. Like what I have always been saying, this is just me exercising a bit of creativity in dressing up and expressing myself through clothes. Rather than spend my time dissecting other people's lives like it's my freaking business, i just channel my energy in harnessing my aesthetic sensibilities.

And it's not like I shop at expensive stores. I don't. Heck, we don't even have posh clothing stores where I live. It's probably why you'll find me in thrift stores most of the time. So yes. It's just a matter of knowing which clothes fit you, how you style it and how you rock it.

Wala naman sa presyo yan eh. Wala sa tatak sa likod ng damit mo. Wala rin sa ganda. Kung gusto mo magbihis, nasa probinsiya ka man o wala, may kaya ka man o wala, bakit hindi mo gawin?

Tell social norms to go to hell. Tell those gossipmongers to eat their hearts out.

Ayun lang! chos!

I Took A Shot At Poetry

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sun, 15 May 2011 01:37:00 +0000

Your eyes - how sad they look. How tinged with the redness that can only come from spending the night exhausting your tear ducts. Those dark rims - they must have been caused by sleepless nights that won't let up. Of nights spent staring at your ceiling, wondering where things went wrong.

Your eyes - how devoid of hope they are. How your usual sunny self has slowly dissipated. How shadows have slowly taken up the place where sparkles once took up residence.

I can see it in your eyes. You grappling with your reality. How much you would like to cling to your fantasies - of what has been and what used to be.

Goodbyes - they are not the hardest. It is usually the flashbacks that sting, that cut deep.

Your eyes - how they mirror my own.

After The Reprieve From The Heat

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:55:00 +0000

The ever-growing collection of lace clothes is...ever-growing. I'm not even joking. When my sister thrifts, she comes home with one or two lace clothing. I do too. So what do you do with those grandma-looking lace garments? You wear them, of course.

Myk said this is my Kate Middleton outfit. hoho.

Anyhow, this is just a quick post. Accompanied Myk to the eye doctor earlier. The heat, oh gawd the heat, was so intense you can really die from heat stroke.

Stuffed ourselves with junk. And tried tasting Pocari Sweat (insert Pocari sweat melody from the commercial). Eyed some of the brands of soya milk at 7/11. I immediately thought of that black guy in Proposal Daisakusen that beat Ken to the last bottle of soya milk - the soya milk that Rei, his love interest, requested.

I'm blabbing, i know.

Never Too Old For Tulle Skirts And Teddy Bears

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sun, 08 May 2011 03:28:00 +0000

I'm back from a semi-hiatus.

Sorry for the sloppy photos and the ugly editing. I needed something to post and I quickly donned yesterday's outfit and fixed my hair a bit for an impromptu shoot.

I closely resemble a drenched chicken, i know. It was early in the morning when these photos were shot but the heat was already unbearable. The weather has been so unforgivably hot. You can't walk ten paces without sweating like crazy! And it's difficult to find an outfit that won't literally insulate you. So I had to make-do with this loose top and tulle skirt.

You know, I have been forcing myself to deviate from the tulle skirt/dress look but every time I put on another ensemble, I find myself taking it off and reaching for my cutesy outfits. Forgive me. I'm such a predictable dresser. But the good news is, I probably have found my fashion niche! oh well...

On another note, I made a pact with my higher self. In the next 3 months, I will avoid any major shopping expeditions. I literally have a thrift store in my closet! I and sister are contemplating on selling some of our clothes and shoes. I plan to really start saving money. /crosses fingers

So there. Just saying hi to my readers and I'll probably be back for better photos next week! Will resume my Fringe addiction now! Mata ja ne minna!

Vivi May 2011

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Vivi May 2011 is just pure love! Just looking at all those purdy photos, clothes, socks, hats and shoes would suck the stress out of you. So these photos are my favorites. I love how vintage and girly they are.

Seriously, I should stop oggling.

Monday Morning Came Too Soon

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:37:00 +0000

The feeling that you get when every cell, every membrane of your body clamors for change - it's uncomfortable. Like a splinter that is too small to be of consequence but creates a kind of pain too nagging to ignore. It's leaving you suspended - hanging somewhere in the balance of things. Just like a car driving in a very dark road where the only things visible are the few paces where the headlights hit. You hang in there and get to your destination inch by inch. Before you know it, the journey's over.

The changes creep in unsuspectingly. In the recesses of your brain, change is rejected because it upsets the balance of your carefully controlled world. But the sage part of you admits that change is inevitable and to fight it is not only futile but also dangerous.

But yes. Change is what we all have to deal with. Chronically.

Maybe it's time I suck it up.

On a completely unrelated note. I joined Chicismo a few days ago and got into the best of the day/week/month picks.

I dub this the fashion site of the underrated. I kid, i kid. A lot of awesome fashion bloggers there. Do check Chicismo out.

Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 14:04:00 +0000

I'm too tired to function. But may I just share these photos taken alongside the beach close to our home last Black Saturday. I'm not really the beach type of person. I find the ocean too vast, too unconquerable. So despite us being neighbors to the South China Sea, i rarely step foot there.

The wind was especially high last Saturday, hence the billowing skirt and messy hair. I found the dying afternoon sun somber and the loud sound of the nearby beach party a little stifling. Oh my moods. They're as unpredictable as the ocean's waves.

Where Did Our Youth Go?

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:39:00 +0000

I have been feeling down and disheartened these past few days. And I am scared of this becoming a permanent malady. So today, I put on my yellow dress and my comfortable walking shoes and had my fill of pristine air. It's a gentle benediction.

Also, we saw a bracelet vendor. He customizes them too. I had these inspiring words written down for me to remember:

I plan never to take them off.

Holy Week!

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 09:03:00 +0000

Is there no end to my narcissism? I kid. I was just testing my new PS actions and i figured these photos would make great tests since the background is white and I can see the effects more.

Also, I wasn't going to post this but here you go:

I Can't Think Of A Decent Title Because Of This Blasted Toothache

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:21:00 +0000

Hello my dear blog readers! I am suffering from intense tooth pain as I write this. I am actually doubting the safety of taking two paracetamols in one day. I mean John Lloyd Cruz didn't exactly tell us how many paracetamols we can take in one day before foams start seeping from our mouth.

I spent the better part of the day with the boifran Myk, buying stuff and scouring the small town proper of my little province. Tragedy struck yesterday and burned most of the town's one and only mall. I guess most of us are just about realizing how incapacitating it is not to have a mall. The stand-alone movie houses shut down when the mall opened their cinemas. And we usually amuse ourselves with arcade games and stuffing food in the mall during boring weekends. But now that the mall is in ruins, we are strangely bereft of a place to hang out.

To kill time, we visited my old schools which unsurprisingly brought a rush of nostalgia.

This is my old kindergarten school. It's just adjacent to the church. Whenever I pass by this area, I always remember Susie and Geno. They used to be the mascots of the local chocolate milk brand Sustagen. I remember an activity where Susie and Geno visited our small school and gave free drinks. It was nice. I get a warm and fuzzy feeling inside whenever I remember those days.

And yes, I brought a copy of Mockingjay, the third book to the Hunger Games trilogy. I'm a bit reluctant to read it mainly because I don't want to say goodbye to the characters. But predictably, I still couldn't get my hands and my brain off of it. The story was so singularly engrossing that you'd find yourself in a catatonic state after reading the last part of each book. It's like you need a moment (a moment actually means a few days) to assimilate everything that went on in the book before you actually feel ready to tackle the next part.

If you haven't read the Hunger Games yet, you are missing out on something big.

The photos above were taken from my old elementary school. Here's the thing, I studied in catholic schools from Kindergarten to High School. That's pretty much half my life so the teachings and values of catholic life and living have been virtually ingrained in me. That's not to say that I am the epitome of an exemplary christian. Hardly. In fact, I have found myself engaging in one too many religious debates in the past. But we are not going anywhere if we expound more on this topic.

My elementary school was governed by ICM (Immaculati Cordis Mariae) nuns while my high school was run by CICM (Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae) priests. I sincerely hope I got the latin right and did not interchange the two. My memory fails me quite often as of late.

If you were wondering what those numbers on the ground were, they are numbers for the students. If you are practicing for a field demo, placing is crucial. You have to know where you are located. In my elementray days, they didn't use numbers. If I remember it right, we usually relied on wit and memory to figure out where we were supposed to be located. Good thing they came up with a nifty solution like numbers to make things a little easier for the participants. =p

There used to be a lot of horror stories and urban legends about dead nuns walking in the hallways of our old elementary school at night brandishing an old rusty knife. We had this creepy statue in our library. The statue has chains on her feet. Rumor has it that the school administrators chained that statue to prevent it from walking at night. Creepy huh?

And of course, there were the ever-present stories of students being possessed by restless spirits and/or demons. Considering how much of a coward I am now, I wonder how I ever made it through elementary. We had only one restroom and it was located at the farthest end of the school - isolated, dark and very very creepy. It explains why I had a mild case of urinary tract infection when I was younger.

My siblings and I also used to be unbelievably punctual. I even remember going to school while the sun is still shying away and with the earliest mass still being performed.

And oh I forgot to mention, I used to be a choir member when I was in elementary. We'd sing for the 6:00 am Sunday masses. I served the church too when I was in high school. I usually had to fill in the lector or the commentator spot.

So anyway forgive the meager photos. It was deliberate so you wouldn't start thinking this blog reeks of narcissism. And before I scare myself to death relieving school horror stories, I'd end this post now. Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Fifth To Us

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 10:13:00 +0000

It's our fifth year, Michael and I.

The past five years is a blur. You would think I would remember the most poignant moments. But I actually remember the mundane more - the small talks, the meaningful conversations, the bickering and Myk's annoying habit of nudging my ticklish side.

Ever since working home-based, I have learned not to count years. Counting years is meaningless. People who spent years being together can fall apart in a matter of seconds, say goodbye and never look back.

I'm more the "counting moments" type of girl. Not just those one-time, head-over-heels, once-in-a-blue-moon, historical-romance-worthy moments but more on the free-back-rubs, carry-your-bag, treat-you-out-for-some-street-foods, watch-blockbuster-movies, cook-food-for-you moments. These are the moments that I treasure most with Myk.

Don't get me wrong. Our relationship is anything but perfect. In fact, it is singularly rough on the edges, flawed. But I guess it's really those rough and abrasive moments that polish the imperfections.

Happy anniversary to my anata, Maikeru! Daisuki <3 <3 <3

Katniss, Peeta And My Red Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:55:00 +0000

My mood is sullen and somber these past few days partly because I've been drinking too much soda and partly because of The Hunger Games.

And I've been berating myself for putting off reading it because it was made of all things awesome. I couldn't put the book down even if my life depended on it.

I'm not really such a huge fan of blood and gore but I pulled myself away from my historicals to spend time with The Hunger Games. At first, I couldn't wrap my head around the idea of 12-18 year-olds killing each other for the sake of survival and/or fame. But the story was riveting and I found myself poring over the pages diligently.

So forgive my eye bags. I blame it on my Katniss-Peeta obsession.

Easy A

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:11:00 +0000

"Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey. I want Jake from Sixteen Candles waiting outside the church for me. I want Judd Nelson thrusting his fist into the air because he knows he got me. Just once I want my life to be like an 80's movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason." Olive Pendergast, Easy A

You should know upfront that this is not a movie review.

It's basically a page wherein I, Kathy, worshiper of chick flicks and/or movies that speak about the reality that is life thrown with a bit of romance, take the liberty of ogling the awesomeness that is Emma Stone.

Raise your hands if you have watched Easy A and fell in love with Olive Pendergast regardless of your gender preference.

At first I thought it was going to be another high school-themed movie. But leave it to Emma Stone to prove the crap out of us wrong.

You will also love Olive's vocabulary which, despite its abundance of profanities, managed to amuse the quick-witted. She would have to take the long and winding road of uttering obscenities.

And that is not to mention her Literature teacher, Mr. Griffith

"I don't know what your generation's fascination is with documenting your every thought...but I can assure you, they're not all diamonds. "Roman is having an OK day, and bought a Coke Zero at the gas station. Raise the roof." Who gives a rat's ass?" - Mr. Griffith on Facebook, Easy A

I'm not sure if this is real but apparently, the USCCB also watched it and did a review:

“Negative portrayal of Christianity, including Catholicism, benign view of premarital sex and homosexuality, implied drug use, brief partial nudity, venereal disease theme, some sexual humor, at least 10 uses of profanity, much crude and crass language.”

—	USCCB on “Easy A,” rated O — morally offensive. THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS PROTECTS YOU FROM A VENEREAL DISEASE THEME.

This, along with the photos, were actually ripped from tumblr (click on the photos for the links, sort of my way of crediting them). And I did a double take and was like, USCCB has a tumblr?!?

I actually thought the movie was enlightening. If you get past the profanities and the "negative portrayal of Christianity", I would say that the plot is spot on in addressing the common concerns of adolescents when it comes to the grapevine.

Gossip. And how fast it can travel. And how it affects the quality of our lives.

This movie actually shows us not to let the grapevine rule our lives. And it shows us how we can get out of it unscathed.

If you are feeling down and you think life is turning against you and the usual dependable people around you are not there, this movie is the perfect feel-good movie to watch.

Something Old. Something New.

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:36:00 +0000

Old photos. I recently discovered The CoffeeShop Blog while trying to look for tutorials on how to take pastel-colored photos. Someone from flickr suggested this blog. It contains a multitude of very useful, not to mention pretty, PS actions.

It is definitely good for people looking for easier ways to edit. And if you are anything like me who cannot take photos to save her life, this blog would be your saving grace.

So I played around a bit with some of my old photos. I had to test which actions work better on which type of photos. I tend to gravitate towards vintage-esque photos. So there you go.

There are actually a lot of people who hate using actions or using websites that does all the editing work for you. I have often wondered why. It makes short work of editing photos. And if the inability to exercise creativity is what bothers people, I don't think it does a lot in promoting it. Well, that's just me.

But if you like a bit of help making your photos closely resemble those taken by pros, using PS actions is the best way to go.

Oh btw, someone unfriended me on facebook. I know it happens to the best of us but this one is actually a bit disturbing because I am personally acquainted with the person. It makes me wonder what I did wrong. I'm starting to suspect that I'm posting way too many photos and blog alerts on facebook for the peace of mind of my FB friends.

I don't know why FB claims to connect people.

It does.

But in some way, the familiarty of it all and the penchant of people in documenting every single thing happening in their life can actually burn bridges. We even end up hating and labeling our friends.

I'm certain I'm labeled as "the girl who posts a lot of photos and is in a delusional state, thinking she is a model when in fact she is not". Oh well. That's the social networking scene for you.

But at the end of the day, they don't owe you an explanation and neither do you.

The Quintessential Blogger

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:11:00 +0000

Warning: Picture heavy.

Clearly I had too much fun in front of the camera. But that's mostly because Myk's my photog so I can be myself and do kaartehan stuff.

I am one of those who joined the fashion blogging bandwagon. A few months ago, i tried to talk about labels and give a bit of fashion advice but failed miserably. I'm not an expert and I wouldn't want to put pressure on myself by claiming to be one.

This is probably why I love vintage fashion. It's so quintessentially humble. Nobody will fault you for rummaging thrift shops and wearing second hand garments two sizes too large because that is mostly the essence of vintage fashion.

So I decided I'd still give fashion advice if someone asks for it but I wouldn't go the extra mile in giving it and further strengthen the impression of being a fashion know-it-all. I prefer being a blogger who posts outfit photos but talk about other stuff such as my uneventful life. So there you go. :)

Anyhow, posting a photo of me and my photog - the boifran Michael:

Have a great weekend everyone! <3

We Are Friends. We Will Always Be Friends.

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 08:16:00 +0000

This weekend-only blogger is posting on a Thursday. Hurray for me! I wanted to post these photos and maybe try to cheer my friend, Karen, up in the process.

Karen is going through a rough patch lately and I am at a loss as to how to be of some use to her. I figured I'd just share this snippet from one of my favorite historical romance books, Love in the Afternoon when the heroine, Beatrix, was talking about a three-legged cat named Lucky to the hero's Earl grandfather:

   "Why did you name her Lucky?" Annandale asked.

   "I hoped it would change her fortunes."

   "And did it?"

   "Well, she's sitting in the lap of an earl, isn't she?" Beatrix pointed out, and Annandale laughed outright.

   He touched the cat's remaining paw. "She is fortunate to have been able to adapt."

   "She is determined," Beatrix said. "You should have seen the poor thing, not long after the amputation. She kept trying to walk on the missing leg, or jump down from a chair, and she would stumble and lose her balance. But one day, she woke up and seemed to have accepted the fact that the leg was gone for good. And she became nearly as agile as before." She added significantly, "The trick was forgetting about what she had lost...and learning to go on with what she had left."

It takes time to get over tribulations. Everything might not be easy but there is a reason why you are a stronger person now, Karen.

I still remember our St. Genevieve days when that blasted teacher's table nearly broke my hand. While I was writhing in agony, you were there, teary-eyed and worried about my increasingly swelling hand. And you accompanied me to the school clinic. And I had to go to the excruciating task of explaining the details of the mishap to the school principal.

And I remember when you weren't able to finish your dozen or so Sulating Pormal. And I was there to write it for you. And you let me, although you knew I suck as a writer.

You know we're going to stick with you, right? Others might come and go, but here we are. As steadfast and as stable as always no matter how many days of not seeing each other can go by.

Waaah! I love my friends to bits which is why I'm turning into a sentimental idiot. I can't imagine my world without them. I have since limited my social circle - getting in touch only with my closest friends. I'm not shunning acquaintances away or letting go of the opportunity of meeting new people that might turn out to have a huge contribution to my life but I'm just trying to keep things simple. I'm trying to hold on to what is really important.

So anyways, since I have been suffering from a differnet case of senioritis (me feeling old what with all my cousins, who I used to baby sit in the past, are now graduating from school), I figured I might as well give a tribute to my 12-year friendship streak with these people:

contrived photo

This is the reason why they call the place El Grotto

Before heading home, we decided to split the leftovers. haha! We got the boon since we were the ones who didn't leave early.

That be me worming (or swimming) my way towards the end of the pool whilst hanging on the edges for dear life. I can't swim which was why Myk tormented me to no end the previous night!

Summer Is Here!!

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 07:51:00 +0000

Just got back from our Summer outing/reunion 2011. I feel like one of my the Sims characters when their energy level is turning red. Will probably be posting more photos soon. But in the mean time, gotta catch more sleep. :)

She Used To Like Many Things And Many People

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:49:00 +0000

"Well, I've been afraid of changin' 'cause I built my life around you. But time makes you bolder. Children get older and I'm getting older too..."- Landslide, Dixie Chicks

Funny how everyday seems so mundane and repetitive with your routine running like clockwork and with your same old tasks done in the same old efficient ways. But when you really care to look back, you'd realize many things have changed.

You'd start to marvel how swiftly and cunningly time sneaked up on you. Without realizing it, you have become an adult - one inundated with problems, responsibilities and expectations. And after a while, you start to figure out that you have changed into the kind of person you have always struggled not to become.

The paradox of life proves itself right yet again.

I myself have fallen prey to the changes that have a tendency to circumspectly develop.

For one thing, I no longer drink liters of apple juice like I used to when I was in college. I have since switched to drinking iced tea and milk.

I have fallen apart with friends who used to be steadfast and constant. My katsaridophobia has magnified tenfold. And I constantly find myself wondering what the heck I have seen in former crushes.

As in everything else in this world, I have changed. And change has a way of delving into the marrows of your bones no matter how hard you try to resist it. The big things, the little things - they are bound to be different a few minutes, a few days, a few years from now. Nature, along with time, will run its course.

So I guess it is natural not to want the same things you did when you were younger. It is normal to fall apart with people. But it doesn't mean that the past is irrelevant.

Those moments were real perhaps to your 18-year old self. It was still you - only more foolish, more gullible. Less informed. Less jaded. Less a cynic.

If you have reached this part of my post, console yourself because you have just wasted a fraction of your time with my endless, not to mention, useless musings. haha! I've been feeling a bit melancholic lately. Melancholic, i stress out. Not lonely. Just a bit on the contemplative mood.

If I can only pack my bags and catch the earliest flight to join the monks in Tibet, I will. But since I can't, and I am not even sure if they are accepting female monks in Tibet, I might as well just use my blog to do a bit of soliloquy.

Anyhoo, this was what I wore this day. It's my i'm-too-lazy-and-too-tired-of-wearing-dresses-to-find-anything-decent-to-wear-today. The pair of trousers is definitely too big for me because it belonged to my mother.

I know, I know. What was I doing wearing stuff from my mom's closet? Well, the thing is, I have a fetish for anything vintage or taken from older people's closet. They actually have the most well-made clothes.

What is even better is that the whole ensemble is very comfortable. Even the tassled flats felt comfortable today.

Wore a low hair bun ala korean style to punctuate the laid-back look of today. And can you see my pink bow earrings?

The clothes aren't the only agreeable ones today. The weather was good. Neither too hot nor too cold. My kind of weather. :)

So anyway, will be spending tomorrow and most likely the better part of Sunday with my friends! Will post pictures after. :)

A Duo Of Geeks

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 13:41:00 +0000

I want to put off writing about the photos for a moment to make way for a bit of soliloquy (or whatever it is poets label the act of talking to one's own self without giving heed to listeners). I've been pondering all day (and apparently I am not yet done pondering) why most men think that women who try to dress up or attempt to prettify themselves are out to get their attention.

I mean seriously?

Not all women who like to dress up are desperate for attention. Not all of them would like men to drop by their haunches and worship the very pavement that they tread on. Not all women like men to pant after them like a lovesick puppy while they walk by.

Trust me when I say that about 80% of women who like to dress up actually dress up for themselves.

For themselves, you hear me? Not for men.

Most women who are not just into fashion but also into style like dressing up and styling what they are wearing because they want to channel their creativity.

They like to dress up because it makes them feel good inside. And when they feel good inside, it makes their world a better place to live in. It promotes positivity and good vibes--at least until someone insinuates that they are trying to make themselves look good for the sole purpose of attracting the attention of men.

Jeez. You and your monumental ego.

Okay, before I verbally clobber someone senseless, I might as well talk about the photos.

This be my friend Jemalyn who is in town for a few weeks of vacay. We've been scouring for a quiet, private (we being anti-socials) resort where we can hang out some time this weekend.

We decided to check out a private resort recommended by my sister. We surmised it is owned by a politician judging from the red plate on the car parked in the owner's garage nearby.

The place, although still fairly new and with a lot more improvements to be made, is already breathtaking as it is - at least for me since I have always been fond of breezy, mountainy, close-to-nature places. I'm not really such a huge fan of beaches, though I live close to the beach.

One day I'll probably regret that I have been taking the beach of granted. But I guess for now, I'll have to indulge my love for flowers, trees and grass.

Forgive the overexposed photos, yet again. Photographer wasn't in the mood to photograph or whatever so he didn't go the extra mile in tweaking the camera's settings so there you go...

I'm cross right now so you are probably not in good company. A couple of people (probably) unwittingly and unintentionally made my day a bit trying. And all I want to do right now is crawl like a wounded bear to my bed, bury my head under a pillow, prop my leg on my bolster and just forget the world.

Grassy Fields and Windows

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:13:00 +0000

I want to read historical romance novels like how I did when I was still in high school. I'd finish one book in one sitting, diligently poring over the pages and pages of make-believe love story between a medieval knight/lord and a lady/damsel in distress.

I want to sing Sara Barreilles love song like there's no tomorrow. I want to stuff my stomach with cancer-inducing street foods until someone accuses me of being a glutton. I want to spend every waking moment of my life with people I love, doing mundane things.

But the problem is, we rarely do get to do and have what we want. Even the most trivial things on our "want" list can often times seem a little elusive.

And just last week, I wanted to take good photos but I couldn't.

My idea of a good photo is one taken outdoors. I was feeling a little under the weather and my photographer wasn't in a directing mood so the photos these past few weeks were like blah.

Anyhoo, I actually like overexposed photos. Which is probably why I'm pretty drawn towards SLR photographers. You know, those photographers that still make use of good old films?

Even their worst overexposed or underexposed photos turn out pretty amazing. I like the quirkiness of it. I like how it cannot be captured again in the same way and in the same form of another photographer.

I don't claim to be a photographer--just an appreciator of pretty things photographed. And I am lucky I have a boyfriend who never gets tired to get pretty photos of my clothes/outfits. But anyway...

This post is yet again another proof of my fragmented train of thoughts. I really can't keep my thoughts organized to save my life. And ironically, I call myself a writer.

So anyway, a quick info about this vintage-inspired outfit. Lace top (unbranded), midi skirt (Bread and Butter), loafers and bag (which I managed to wait for the price to lower down so I got it for just 200 php! score!) are all thrifted. I can live in thrift stores and not get bored. T___T. What is wrong with me? T___T.

Thrift finds simply have more character than new clothes, don't you think? Plus, you'll get to contribute to the preservation of Mother Nature because all those pretty clothes will not go to waste. :)

Tired Of Always Being On The Defensive

noreply@blogger.com (~) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 09:41:00 +0000

I find my smile getting awkwarder and awkwarder. By any chance, have you, my dear reader, noticed?

A few hours ago, I was trying to come up with an articulate post on how sad I feel about the tragedy that struck Japan. But no words can apparently describe the magnitude of Japan's loss.

There were a lot of pleas for prayers. But at that moment, praying was the last thing on my mind. I was just staring at the television screen in slack-jawed disbelief over the massive tsunami that hit Japan. Being renowned for their ability to create the niftiest gadgets, I was half expecting they'd pull out a gear or two up their sleeves and deflect the tsunami like a waterproof coat deflecting raindrops. But as it turned out, they are no more invulnerable to the forces of nature than the rest of the world.

I grieve for the loss of life. I couldn't fathom how painful and how devastating it must be to lose family members, loved ones and dear friends all in the blink of an eye. I can't even imagine how one can begin to move on from there.

It puts everything into perspective. Rather than pray, I found myself contemplating on a myriad of things--mostly about life and death. I mean it's not everyday that you get to see a tsunami wash away a whole city live on national television. It is life-altering.

But death is not something uncommon.

We see it on the news every single day. Not as graphic but death all the same.

The massive loss the world experienced over the past few months is nothing short of astounding.

To say that people are now dreading the comeuppance that is expected to arrive full force in 2012 is an understatement. But have we forgotten? There really is no assurance in life and death, is there? Some people don't even get to live past 16.

Tragedies - they are wake-up calls for us to stop living like soulless automatons and start getting a real life - one with more meaning. More purpose.

If we truly wanted to do all those who perished in natural tragedies these past few weeks and months justice, all we can do is start living our life in a more purposeful way. Not as humans who merely exist under the dictatorship of the society.

Here I am again with my endless preaching. I am sorry if i bore the crap out of you. I felt like venting today because of some people who have a mindset as narrow as a fishing rod. But I figured I shouldn't waste even half a minute of my day wasting my time on people who clearly do not wish to be anything other than being their old crappy self. So there you go. If you are reading this and you know that it is you, I'm letting you be a nuisance to yourself.

More than a couple of people said this ensemble look J-pop-esque. It wasn't intentional. I still have a bit of hang-over over Kim Tae Hee's fabulous outfits in My Princess.

I finally had a chance to meet my US-based friend Jemalyn. We had fun scouring thrift stores and taunting each other over our spending habits. She ended up with a pile of cutesy stuff and I ended up with this top and pair of shoes. Lovely. I miss hanging out with my closest friends. In this day and age, all you can do is spend a lot of time with people who you care most about and dispense with the trifling and inconsequential things.