Subliminal Wish

17 Things That Made My 2017 Awesome

2017-12-30T18:44:00.001+04:00

With just 1 more day until we welcome 2018 with a bang, I figured it's as good a time as any to list down the things I'm grateful for or happy about - things that happened, things I had realized, or things that came into my life in 2017 that made this year a little more than bearable.

It can't be helped that my list will likely seem incredibly mundane to you, subjective as they are, but I'm grateful nonetheless and I want to share it.

I got to spend more time with my family.

Let's start with something that happened near the end of 2016: I got redundated. I know - it sounded like such a terrible thing to happen, especially with the the holidays coming up, but it's all too clear now that it's the best thing that ever happened to me. This meant I'd be spending more time with my family and actually celebrate the holidays with them for the first time in 4-something years. You can't put a price on that.

But more importantly, getting laid off work meant -

We got the green light to work on our goals.

Ever since we got together, Jed and I have been set on setting our future straight. Plans were laid out, and we slowly worked our way to making it happen. After we got redundated we took that as a sign to put our plans into motion - going abroad either find greener pastures, or grow that bitch ourselves.

It was an important time for us because we realized we can find silver linings in the most unlikely places, which honestly was a bit challenging to do but in the end things worked out for the better (once we stopped panicking lol).

I found out who my real friends are.

Not everything will go according to plan, and somehow I found myself out of breath and out of time. I didn't expect things to move so fast and suddenly I found myself rushing to pack my stuff 4 days before our flight to Dubai.

I settled on sending heartfelt farewell messages, thinking I'll just see them again (if and) when I return. How they managed to put together a last-minute despedida, I'll always wonder, but more importantly I'll always be grateful for it. It's touching how a select few people will fight tooth and nail to see you one last time and wish you well. I'll never forget it.

We reached Dubai without incident.

You'd think it was as easy as getting on that plane and making sure you don't lose your bag (or grab the wrong one at baggage claim). Hearing and reading about the horror stories of traveling to foreign countries got us the yips. (Having your nearest airport voted as one of the worst airports in the world doesn't really give you a vote of confidence, either.)

As trivial as it may seem, we're very grateful we were able to reach our destination without issue. That sigh of relief once we touched down is damn unforgettable.

Getting a fresh start.

Leaving your home country to start fresh elsewhere is sort of a norm if you're a Filipino, or at least many of us would think so. Jed and I couldn't believe our luck; what's in store for us on this side of the world?

We learned to be (somewhat) independent.

I had lived with my parents my whole life. One too many times I've heard them tell us that if they could, they would keep us under their wing forever. As someone who values comfort and luxury, that's enough to keep me content with what they're giving me. Looking back, I sometimes mentally kick myself for thinking I could go on living the way I did for as long as I did.

It wasn't until I reached my mid-20's that I decided I had to change things.

It took me a while but I'm slowly learning how to adult. Keeping myself from filling our pantry with unnecessary purchases and basically learning how to manage my money on top of paying the bills and rent was a monumental challenge for me, but I'm getting there.

Having my family's support.

I wasn't fazed by the fact that I'll be living so far from home - almost 10 months in and I'm still not homesick in ways you'd expect. I didn't let my roots settle in, and rather chose to go where the wind blew stronger. I didn't let myself get attached to anything; leaving was easier for me.

That being said, I was more surprised by how my family stood by me (and continue to do so). Messages of encouragement, concern, and assurance poured in. It was comforting, to say the least; I wasn't as far away from home as I thought.

Final Fantasy XV gave me life.

Oh, man. I thought I was done with the franchise, having skipped XIII and completely forgetting about the whole series until Emman bought a PS4. I didn't start playing until August but damn its magic is still there. Despite the fact that it's largely unfinished (and with a downer ending to boot) it has wound itself into my heart and I will forever love it and the adventures I shared with the Chocobros.

Also this game re-ignited my goal to go on a grand roadtrip at least once in my life. 😆

A change in my career path.

I've worked in customer support for years back in the Philippines - never did I expect I'd be working in marketing and graphics design. While I have a working knowledge over most of the Creative Suite apps, I know squat about marketing. It was the biggest cause of my anxiety for a few weeks because I didn't know the first thing about any of this, and yet they took me in and gave me a chance.

I was basically learning as I worked, and I'll also be forever grateful for having such understanding superiors.

Watch my Instagram Stories! ⏩ @_subliminalwish

Being able to explore new places and things.

There's nothing like that feeling of excitement when you're in undiscovered terrain. We didn't know where to start! Slowly we worked our way around the city, keen on getting to know as much about it as we could. There were just so many things to do, so many places to go. It was a constant adventure, and I loved every turn.

A newfound love for blogging.

After years of sporadically uploading a half-hearted entry or two, something triggered a new enthusiasm in me to blog again. Suddenly I have these bouts of inspiration to write and create, and it may not seem that much but I'm happy with how this blog evolved into. There's still so much I have planned out, and I'll slowly kick them in motion in the coming months.

This also led me to finding more outlets and be more creative.

There is much for me to say about finding joy in playing around with Photoshop, even if it's just for a post title or a minor edit for one of the photos I'll upload. But more than that, I discovered that there's so much I can do with it. You should have seen how giddy I was when I found I could recreate my favorite concepts, and even be inspired from them to give my output my own spin.

This year I also found myself taking more photos and actually putting in a lot of effort to make it cohesive and profound, not to mention taking the time to edit them to make them stand out more. I'm dead set on bringing out my mirrorless camera and relearning how to wield it this 2018. AND I got into journaling!

I'm now constantly trying to find new ways to improve myself. Now, more than ever, I want to be better than who I was last year.

Lessons on resilience and adaptability.

For the most part, 2017 was about learning to move in a certain rhythm so we don't drown. We had to learn and relearn some habits, get rid of old ones (tried to, anyway), or remodeled them to fit into our new lifestyle.

I'm grateful for learning to be more flexible, and for forcing me to focus my efforts on the things I can control, rather than fret over the things that were out of my hands.

Meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones.

I think this is one of my favorites. I felt right at home the moment I was able to hang out with my friends again. Forging new connections and strengthening the ones I already have - these helped make my year worthwhile.

Jed.

Of course, I saved the best for the finale. I owe this entire journey to him. Truth be told, I would likely have given up had I been alone in this. He is my constant, my guiding star. I couldn't be any luckier.

This list was surprisingly easy to put together - 'know how to count your blessings' and all that, after all. I want to make sure I end 2017 feeling happy and thankful, and welcome 2018 a little more grounded but hopeful.

I'm going to make 2018 my best year yet!

What about you? I'd love to know what you're thankful for! Did anything happen in 2017 that left a mark in you? Link me to your blog post, or leave a comment down below! See you next year. 😜

The Sunday Currently | Same Difference

2017-11-26T13:10:00.001+04:00

Hey, how are ya? Decided to pop in while I'm waiting for my downloads to finish (it's a 1.1GB file, go figure). I'll be making a November update post soon after this, but for now I just want to keep my mind off the file downloads happening in the background and the fact that Adobe CC is making things extra challenging for me.

I've gone and changed the format a bit for my Sunday Currently series, as you can see below. I may or may not revert to the old style, though. Who knows.

📖 r e a d i n g

Some tutorials and troubleshooting guides on how to fix my Creative Cloud app. Honestly I think this program is more trouble than it's worth. I don't want to put up with the issues that always crop up whenever there's a new update. I just want to revise our catalogues. :(

Other than that, I'm also reading some random one-shots on AO3 while waiting for Poor Wayfaring Stranger to update. Fandom has consumed me and I'm okay with that.

🎧 l i s t e n i n g t o

90's boyband playlists in Youtube, lol.

I'm also (finally) about to get started on a Welcome to Night Vale binge! A couple of friends have recommended this to me over the years but I didn't have the attention span to get through with it until now. I'm set on running the playlist later when I get home since I've got a few hours to spare, and with National Day weekend coming up I think I can catch up on the latest podcast in no time.

📺 w a t c h i n g

A couple of uploads from the AntsCanada Ant Channel. 😂 Jed can attest to my fascination with ants, so you can bet I watched as many videos from this channel as I could. I found this channel a year and a half ago during my YouTube random clicks and it took me a couple of videos before I realized that Mikey Bustos runs this channel. It's pretty relaxing to watch.

🎮 p l a y i n g

Nothing at the moment; I've put down the controller so I can focus my attention on work for now. 😔 I still haven't finished Final Fantasy XV because of this, and also because I already know what the ending is - it's just a matter of me going through it. I may have made a mistake when I leveled the Chocobros to lv90 by simply fucking around in Eos, though.

💭 t h i n k i n g o f

New places to go, or old places to revisit. Jed and I had planned on going to Al Bastakiya and Old Souq two weeks ago but after feeling the fatigue from our Abu Dhabi trip we decided to lounge in bed the day after we got back instead. Running amok in a waterpark can really take it out on you! We immensely enjoyed the trip though, and will definitely be returning to try out more of their attractions.

🌠 w i s h i n g / w a n t i n g / n e e d i n g

So many unreasonable things, like more time to sleep. Also perhaps a new role where I wouldn't need to touch InDesign with a 10-foot pole - one that also pays 5 figures, lol. I know it's out there somewhere for me to stumble upon, but I just wish would find me faster. 😆

🌙 h o p i n g

The nice winter breeze persists until late May next year, because it is seriously making it so much more appealing to wake up early and take a long walk.

I'm also hoping I get to finally move on to a different role in the near future, actually. I've found ones that are better-suited for me and it's now all a matter of waiting for them to answer me, but I've never been known for my patience. Still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

💸 r e c e n t p u r c h a s e s

Err, fast food meals and some metro cards. 😅 I've imposed a strict budget on myself recently, but I cannot resist Jollibee's spaghetti.

📍 r e c e n t l y v i s i t e d

Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, and Yas Waterworld! One of my bosses said Yas Island is more of a-country-in-a-city than anything, and that a weekend would be perfect to explore the whole place. The island also houses a couple of 4 and 5 star hotels, Yas Mall, and Ferrari World.

I wasn't able to get tickets for Ferrari World but Jed and I were able to enjoy the attractions in Yas Waterworld before we roamed around in Yas Mall, caught a bus to Abu Dhabi, and then Dubai. It was such a fun weekend! We're thinking of going back early next year, likely before summer starts.

📌 r e c e n t l y b o o k m a r k e d

The Minimalist Podcast and Lore. It sucks that we don't have Spotify here, but I'll try and find a way to listen to these podcasts.

💕 l o v i n g

W I N T E R !

♎ f e e l i n g

Somewhat optimistic for December and 2018 in general. Come on, bring me great stuff! 😝

📅 l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o

Exploring the city more often now that the weather is more bearable. And also the holiday deals, lol. I'm also counting on some good news as far as me moving to a new role is concerned. Like I said, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I really should come up with some new content now. Got any ideas? Also let me know if you like this new style more than the previous Sunday Currentlys that I've done! Thanks for sticking around. ♥

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Life Lately: Snaps from October

2017-11-14T17:29:00.003+04:00

Besides it being my birth month, I was looking forward to October because of the promise of colder weather. Somehow it did deliver as promised, but in odd trickles and intervals. There were some mornings that were as vibrant as summer, but there were also a precious few that were as muted as Autumn.

It was a quiet month, for the most part. It was mostly us swinging along with the rhythm, having gotten the hang of things, sort of.

Ibis and Abu Dhabi - In reality I was quite anxious about this trip more than anything. Besides it being our first time in Abu Dhabi, it was the first time I'd be attending an organized race that we sponsored and I hadn't the faintest idea where to begin. It turned out I was psyching myself out for nothing - the entire event was as painless as a dentist visit.

What made the trip even better was our short stay in Abu Dhabi c/o Ibis Hotel. We had a last-minute booking done online and we arrived at half-past 9PM - far too late to enjoy anything in the city, yet we had a great time just the same. We had dinner at the poolside bar and restaurant in the 2nd floor, entertained by the friendliest staff we've ever met! Topping all of that off, we slept in THE softest bed ever. I loved the fluffy comforters! As you can see from the photos above, the room we got is actually an apartment-type one, complete with a kitchenette and a dining set, and a washing machine. We nearly booked in for another night! Surely in the future, Jed and I will be staying in Ibis again. 😂

So on the photo on the left I was actually trying to take a photo of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque while inside a moving cab. Obvs, I failed and got a nice shot of these date trees instead. During the summer we found that the date fruits from these trees were in fact harvested and either sold or kept for consumption. Neat!

The other photo is of the ramen we got in Ibn Battuta Mall while we waited for our bus to Abu Dhabi. I've already forgotten the name of the restaurant but we got it for cheap and was surprisingly pretty good! It even beat Motomachi's ramen, I'd say. We also got some of their (teeny-tiny) gyozas and chicken pops. I'm pretty sure I'll be ordering their ramen again when we return to Ibn Battuta.

Name Days - Soon after we got back from Adu Dhabi we had another reason to break out the booze: my (and Emman's) birthday! I'm not sure how Jed is faring as far as his experience living with two flaky Libras is concerned, but I think he's still sane to a degree. To celebrate, the three of us headed to Dagat-Dagatan and had a birthday seafood buffet, with a complimentary cake to commemorate our Name Day. 😂 I was so adamant on getting us two cakes instead of one because two people were celebrating but their one-cake-per-table policy got in the way, lol. It was completely fine though; we just stuffed ourselves some more with their seafood selection.

It was one of the more low-key celebrations I've had in a while, which I didn't mind one bit. Having another year to celebrate and being with good friends and my dearest Jed is more than enough.

Random cravings and whatnot. I remember eating out a lot at the Sandwich Club and bingeing on falafels and green mango shakes. I also discovered that Carrefour had some of these falafel wraps so I've been having these for lunch almost everyday since. This month I also noticed a spike in my liking for sweet things like cupcakes and cookies, ugh. But whether it's because I'm unconsciously stressed out or something, I can't point my finger at it. 👯

Towards the end of the month we had another race organized, this time within Dubai. Finding a way to get to the sports complex proved to be such a challenge though, because apparently there aren't any public utility vehicles that drive around the area. My only option was to ride a cab at try to get there before 6AM, at least until my boss suggested we carpool with the other runners. We got to the complex a little before 5:45AM, just in time for the sunrise (photo above). The day turned out pretty great, actually. I crawled back to bed the moment I got back home and slept the day away. 😆

I'd say it's all good so far.

Is it too late to ask how your October went? I'd love to hear about it!

The Sunday Currently | Is This Thing On?

2017-11-05T09:58:00.000+04:00

Hey! What have you been up to lately? Me, I haven't done much tbh, owing to the sudden rise of my workload, which, while still manageable, has caught me off-guard and slightly out of balance. There have been races organized here and there, with talks of more to be held in the coming short, cold months.

And here I am still in disbelief that November has come, with December and 2018 in close tow. Wasn't I just in the Philippines a few weeks ago..? I can't remember now. Anyway --

reading some choice chapters from Poor Wayfaring Stranger to pass the time. I tell you, I love this fic like life itself and I can't get enough of it!

listening to random The Script songs. At the moment I'm playing Man on a Wire.

watching Thor: Ragnarok clips on YouTube. Jed and I went to watch it last weekend in Ghurair and we're still floating from the movie high! This is the first time I've seen anything from Taika Waititi and he has immediately made it to my list of favorite directors. The best way I can describe it is to compare it to Barney's Get Psyched Mix (which is available in Spotify, if you can believe it). You'll be pumped the entire movie, and you will love it.

If you haven't seen it yet then please do yourself a favor: grab a friend and run to the nearest mall or cinema and watch it. Also here's a photo of me and Jed grabbing dinner before we watched the movie:

thinking of how I'm going to get to Dubai Marina for my gym session, lol. I signed up for the Dubai Fitness Challenge recently and one of the only classes I can get to after work is in Dubai Marina, which is about an hour's worth of train ride away. I can take a cab but I'm somehow really keen on seeing how accessible it is if I commute there.

smelling a faint hint of that air freshener my office mate sprayed hours ago.

wishing for... huge changes? 😂

hoping for... said huge changes to happen before the year ends?

wearing my comfy leggings! I should get myself another pair...

loving the slightly cooler weather, as of late. The mornings are slowly starting to get cooler. Sometimes the mornings make you feel like it had just rained minutes before you woke up - the air is light but damp and pleasant to the skin, and the sky has this light-grey hue. Being the complete opposite of a morning person, I actually wake up these days not immediately hating the world, and I love it!

wanting more free time to walk around and enjoy said cooler weather. I'm quite envious of Jed, who has two off days. I know I'll find another position that'll give me better perks, so I'm just keepin' on keepin' on for now.

needing more hours of sleep! Gah!

feeling pretty sleepy, suddenly. Help!

I'm really excited for my next trip to Abu Dhabi with Jed next week! We've already found a good place to stay and hopefully by the time we get there the place wouldn't be packed. 👌 Here's to hoping we have a great time!

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Life Lately: Snaps from September

2017-11-04T14:49:00.000+04:00

So. Hi. *waves awkwardly*

I'm still in a daze - is it November already? To be honest I still feel like it's Libra season, despite seeing my flatmates light their candles in honor of their departed loved ones at the beginning of November. I try not to think about how it'll be 2018 in a few short weeks' time, but I like to make my days count just the same. Or at least, I try.

Motomachi - Jed and I had actually planned on having a day out in the city last... July. 😂 We kept moving the date because staying in bed and within the comfort of the air conditioner proved to be much, much more persuasive. But finally we had a day for ourselves, so we decided to head for Dubai Festival City and have some ramen at Motomachi. We had initially decided to go to Jumeirah and Kite beach and relax by the shore but we were so anxious about missing our stop again that we went for a safer route instead!

We both had the Shoyu Ramen (62AED), and Jed treated me with a Matcha Parfait (38AED). ❤ We also got a Tuna Avocado Temaki (28AED) and some Tori Gyoza (35AED) for starters. We were both pretty happy with the serving sizes overall. Everything was quite delicious and filling, but not out of the ordinary. If I were to come back for one thing though, it would definitely be the parfait!

I'm still quite miffed I haven't found a place that serves uni. Do you know a place here in Dubai? Please let me know ASAP! 😂

Dubai Creek - As the afternoon wore on we decided to walk around the Creek side where we spotted an area where a small crowd were gathering – we've stumbled upon the water taxi and dhow rental booths. Out of curiosity more than anything, we decided to see what the fuss was about. It turns out these booths have offers for an exclusive cruise in the Creek in time for the Eid al-Adha fireworks! They were offering a tour around the Creek in a yacht, plus an up-close and personal view of the fireworks display - how could we say no?

Below are just a few of the millions of photos and videos I took while we were sailing in the yacht with the other passengers. It was quite a view indeed, and a perfect way to end the night!

He makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world (because I am).

Ikea - To cap the day off we went for dinner at Ikea, quick shot of our grub above. Their meatballs are nothing like you'll ever have!

Some random shots on my phone, I can't remember where I took them but I do think these are taken because I was experimenting with a color app and I wanted to see how well I can edit the things.

Mall of Emirates - Mostly just selfies, lol! I met up with my dear friend Aika, who arrived in Dubai in early September. Finally, someone from my own circle! While it's been great living in a city where you don't know absolutely anyone, seeing a familiar face is refreshing, almost comforting. We had lunch in Fridays' and walked around the mall before Aika had to go to attend church with her relatives. I think we had some chai afterwards, but I'm not so sure.

September's been a blur, really, but that could also be because I'm writing something I should have posted two months ago. It was quite eventful, after starting it off with a bangin' fireworks display, after all!

Up next is my October entry where I'll tell you about my first trip in Abu Dhabi, and most likely some updates here and there for November if ~~anything interesting happens~~ I can squeeze that in. To be honest I'm not really sure what can count for interesting content, but I'm hoping my life updates are fine with you just the same. You're welcome to suggest any blog topics I can post, tho! Thanks for reading!

The Sunshine Blogger Award

2017-10-31T12:35:00.001+04:00

This is way overdue!

First off - a huge THANK YOU to Hannah of Encased Thought for nominating me! I'd received her email last September letting me know she had nominated me for the award but in typical Ashe fashion I of course had to let it sit for weeks and weeks before I did anything about it. You can find her entry here, and don't forget to explore the blogs of her other nominees!

What is the Sunshine Blogger Award?

The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to bloggers by other bloggers who are creative, positive, and inspiring. Once nominated, the blogger is required to write a post in which they:

Thank the blogger who nominated them and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated them
Nominate 11 other blogs and give them 11 new questions to answer.
Notify your nominees and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post.

Similar to the Liebster Award and the Blogger Recognition Award, this is something that's passed around from blogger to blogger to celebrate our own virtual space in the web - a chain post or meme, if you will. Though you don't really have to be nominated to join in on the fun!

On to the Questions!

Hannah had these questions for me:

What is the toughest part about blogging for you?
- Definitely the part about coming up with new content. You'd think that because this is a personal blog I can post about any random thing, write 300-400 words about it, click 'Publish', then forget about it but it's actually more complicated than that. While I have the freedom to blog about whatever I want, I still want to keep it fresh and interesting. It's all about reaching my own personal standard when it comes to blogging because I'm leaving a piece of myself with every post - and I have such unrealistic standards. Also the part about regular posting, lol.
What is the most enjoyable part?
- That I get to post whatever I want. I've been hellbent on keeping this a personal blog and avoided focusing on one specific aspect, like a travel or food blog because I knew the upkeep wouldn't be feasible in the long run had I gone in that direction. I loved that my space in the internet contains things other than where my feet took me, or what new world my tastebuds discovered - a sort of coherence in incoherence.
Is there something that always keeps you going during tough times?
- More than looking for motivation or a silver lining, I bank on my own discipline to get me through. Motivation and hope can only take you so far, but only IF you find it. Discipline will always be there where motivation and hope couldn't reach you.
What’s your favorite quote?
- Mm. That's tough. Let me settle with an excerpt from one of my favorite poems:
yours is the light by which my spirit’s born:
yours is the darkness of my soul’s return
– you are my sun,my moon,and all my stars
- e.e cummings
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
- "Weird" is highly subjective! Besides my willingness to try almost anything, I'm Filipino which means I've eaten a lot of unconventional stuff, like balut (which I absolutely love). I guess this dessert from Teriyaki Boy can count as weird because of the jarring difference in texture?? But it's still so good!
Besides blogging, what else do you enjoy?
- I'm quite fond of exploring cities at night, especially when it's cold. I also love dressing up, cooking (and eating), finding new recipes and trying them out with Jed, travelling, reading - all that quintessential millenial jazz. I also immensely enjoy thrilling theme park rides, wandering around in a mall with a pocket full of cash I can spend, and being holed up in my apartment for days and days on end. Also sleeping. Typical stuff, y'know?
Would you rather fly or sail somewhere? Why?
- Ooh, this is tough! I've experienced both sailing and flying to my destination and I've enjoyed both rides very much! I guess in the event of a catastrophe I would rather be on a plane than a boat because I can't swim at all, and with a plane crash there's always a chance we'd land on dry soil (in pieces, likely, but still).
Who do you most admire, and why?
- I found that there isn't one specific person I admire the most, mostly because the traits I find admirable are found in a lot of people I meet. You attract what you are, they say, but I can't attest to its truth however there's so much people back at home, like my mom and my best friends, that I admire for being so real. And then there's Jed, for being so ostensibly him.
Are you an Apple or an Android person?
- I swing both ways, lol. I'm currently using (and loving) my iPhone 6s, but I'm thinking of switching to an Android phone soon. Any suggestions?
What inspires you?
- Mm. Inspiration is a random, fickle unicorn for me. Most of the time it comes to me at around midnight till the early peek of dawn, being the night owl that I am, in the form of unrelated late-night internet searches. Often when I find myself in that weird part of the internet, ideas just piece themselves together and it scares me sometimes.
Is this your first blogging award?
- Nah, I've been lucky enough to be nominated for the Liebster Award and the Blogger Recognition Award before. :) I'm very grateful that the ones who nominated me found me worthy of being featured in their entries!

Who do I nominate?

It became pretty challenging to choose who to nominate, and when I got my list down I realized this doesn't even reach 11! I guess it's fine, though. Now here are the people I'd like to pass the award on to:

Answer these Questions, please!

And don't forget to come back here and leave a link to your entries with your answers in the comment section below - I'd love to read your answers!

Who or what inspired you to blog?
What topics do you love to blog about?
What genre of music do you enjoy listening to?
Do you have any rituals or processes you follow when putting your blog post together?
Would you ever change your niche in the future?
Is there anything about your blog that you want to change?
If you didn't get into blogging, what do you think you'd be doing now?
Cookies or cupcakes?
What books have you read that left a lasting impression on you?
What are your hobbies?
Milk first or cereals first?

In the future I'll try to be more creative with my questions. Lol. Thanks again to Hannah of Encased Thought for nominating me! I hope you liked my answers to your lovely questions. ♥

Have you ever been nominated for a blogging award before? Leave a comment below and let me know all about it!

The Sunday Currently | Detox Just to Retox

2017-10-29T09:00:00.000+04:00

How's your week so far? Mine's been pretty quiet, except for that one time I had to wake up at the crack of dawn for a race with barely enough sleep the night before, but everything went better than I expected so there's that. Also I had some really good turkey cheese rolls and lemon mint juice.

I've been trying to get back into the swing of things - AGAIN. There's so much that happened in my absence but I'm roped into that cliche again about not knowing where to begin. But I guess Life really is like that - vague and hazy, with the overall heavy sense of so many things happening and not happening all at once.

(Warning: This post contains spoilers to the game Final Fantasy XV. Please skip the 'watching' part if you haven't finished the game yet!)

reading lithos_saeculum's Poor Wayfaring Stranger. This is wonderfully written in dear, dear Prompto's perspective and I absolutely cannot get enough of it. Above and beyond the genre of emotional hurt and abuse with flashes of torture and horribly-suppressed trauma, I loved the writing style the most; the disjointed feel and simplistic transition of every line perfectly mirrors the main character's mental disposition and how terribly anxious he is because hedoesn'tknowhedoesn'tknowhedoesn'tknowI'msorrypleasedon'thurtmeI'msorry. Due to its nature it is imperative that it should be a slow burn fic, which doesn't bother me the slightest. But what I really loved about this is how I somehow saw myself in Prompto in this one - so used to being told what to do, holding onto orders and instructions almost obsessively so, being so afraid of not knowing what to do, and feeling the ground caving in when things get overwhelming. It made me relate so much to Prompto and made me love the character even more than I already do, which is weird because this isn't even canon, lol. Still, it makes for a beautiful alternate origin story. At the moment the fic is unfinished with the author taking a break for an overseas trip but regular updates should come soon with their return. I'm waiting at the edge of my seat.

listening to random videos from Top 5s in the background while I edit some photos. It's their Halloween special and they've got a bunch of new uploads for almost every day of October until the 31st. It's soothing to listen to, honestly! I've also picked up a few history lessons from this channel.

watching, or rather, also listening to Cryaotic's Final Fantasy XV stream, which is undoubtedly what got me into playing the game in the first place. I'm at session 16 at the moment with no plans of hurrying to finish the stream series because,

1.) I'm at Chapter 14 of the game myself;
2.) I've watched both Emman and Jed finish this game;
3.) I'm very bummed I have to relive the ending all over again, and;
4.) I'm getting envious of Cry's winning streak in Totomostro.

I mean, I've heard screams of dissatisfaction at the ending and I'm with the other fans on this one. Apart from the clamors of an Episode Ardyn, there should be a Final Fantasy XV-2 where the boys find a way to pull both Noctis and Luna from the veil or something! Or at least a tie-in where we get to explore the World of Ruin during Noct's 10-year absence. The game feels too short, too rushed, too unsatisfying. And now I'm sad again.

BTW, I have a feeling Episode Ignis will make me angry and then make me cry. Damnit.

thinking of what other titles I should pick up after I inevitably finish FFXV. I'm looking at wide-open sandboxes and other RPGs but a step in a different direction wouldn't hurt too. HMU if you have any game recommendations!

smelling uh, nothing.

wishing the temperature would drop further as we reach November and December. I've been told that the coming months will be significantly colder, with my landlord warning that I should get some winter coats while it's still early. Being someone who thrives in cold weather I choose to see for myself just how cold it can get before I bundle up.

hoping all the emails I sent come back with the responses I want. Lol.

wearing a shirt, thick leggings, and walking shoes. I've decided to veer from my usual jeans-and-boots get-up and go for something more comfortable.

loving the fact that I don't feel compelled to wear make-up to work, lol.

wanting to get a positive response on all those emails I sent!!

needing to do the laundry again. It can't be helped that my posts would eventually devolve into mundane retellings of day-to-day events. Anyway.

feeling like I need another adventure. My not-so-recent trip to Abu Dhabi (which I'll blog about soon) was too short, and I feel like Jed and I could have done more in the city! I'll be back in Abu Dhabi in November, so hopefully we'll be able to enjoy more of the sights and sounds. Fingers crossed!

With my next trip in November lined up, I should really get our accommodations in order. We're going to Yas Island this time to check out the water park and Ferrari World, so hopefully I'll be able to take decent shots and make a post about that, too. I'm quite excited!

Do you also have an upcoming trip lined up? Tell me about it in the comment section below!

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Life, Lately: Snaps from August

2017-10-28T16:24:00.005+04:00

So - this is awkward.

I didn't expect that my later part of 2017 would be filled to the brim with work obligations. For one thing, with the temperature slowly lowering in Dubai the race season once again rears its sleepy head from the covers, ready to take advantage of the cooler weather and bring running enthusiasts together again - if only for a limited time.

As such we had to organize and put all our efforts into exploiting this rare opportunity, so that meant more work for me. I didn't mind the least, but that meant a lot of things had to take the back seat.

Bear with me as I try to post my backlogs and get this blog up-to-date again! For now, here's what happened in August:

Dampa Seafood Grill - For the first day of August we woke up feeling like having some seafood so off to Dampa we went! We've been here once before some months back with Jed and Emman's friend, Darren. We enjoyed the food so much we just had to go in for another try! The place gets cramped pretty quickly so we decided to come by early but we still had to wait to be seated - shows you just how popular the place is in the area. A lot of kabayans frequent this place but we saw a lot of locals and tourists dining here, too.

Ilahui haul - I decided to stop by Ilahui en route from my office to my flat one day and bought a few necessities and then some. The pineapple coin purse now belongs to Jed, while I decided to try out their face mist and pimple-clearing gel, which I may or may not do a review of soon. The ankle socks are actually from the men's section because I didn't fancy their ladies's socks designs much - way too frilly and girly! The undies were purchased on a whim because of the cat print, of course.

Din Tai Fung - For our 2nd year anniversary, Jed and I decided to celebrate in Din Tai Fung for that much-needed xiao long bao fix. We both had to work that day and met up at the Al Ghurair Mall after our shifts before we proceed to have our dinner in Din Tai Fung. We had always meant to eat here back when we were still in the Philippines but we never found the time for it, oddly enough. We're quite pleased with their service! Since they don't serve pork here, their flavors are slightly different yet still quite delectable. Jed later mused that if I didn't point out that the xiao long baos had chicken instead of pork he wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

Random snaps from everywhere. I now can't remember where or when we took these, except that these were all from August. I guess I was more preoccupied than I thought!

Coming up: Snaps from September, and probably a little more coherence from me. Probably.

Friday's Hush

2017-07-28T20:27:00.000+04:00

Fridays are usually my wind-down days. I prefer to dedicate my Fridays buried under a pile of thick blankets, watching the color of the sky change through the balcony's glass door. There were plenty of moments in my life where I had to choose between staying underneath the comfort of my blankets and heading outside to participate in life. Today, Life figured, was time I got moving.

There was an audible crunch and a slight moan of panic at the table last night: Jed's tooth filling had come out. He insists that it's not painful, but it's always a terrible idea to wait for things to hurt before you did something about it.

I guess the thing about wind-down days is, some people liked that idea too. Even dentists. I watched the receptionist schedule Jed for an appointment on Saturday while the lobby's TV blared in the background. All I could think of was my bed, and Jed's filling-less tooth.

On our way out we saw that Caribou Cafe was open. We had meant to hang out there during Ramadan but somehow it got put off, but here we are. Their menu seemed interesting and, feeling off from missing the dentist, we decided to get some sweets before heading home.

(T) Full disclosure.
(M) The (not-so) little ones and their mobile games.
(B) My quencher, and Red Velvet cake. It's interesting how the cafe used marshmallow syrup on my mocha, hence the name of the beverage - Campfire Mocha.

I wouldn't say I have a strong fondness for cheesecake, but it's something I would always order off a cafe menu. Cheesecakes are easy; the flavors are never complicated and rarely disappointing. It's difficult to mess up a cheesecake, difficult not to enjoy it with coffee in a hot afternoon. As opposed to red velvets, which can be tricky if you're not used to such recipes. It's not a complicated cake but you could still end up with one that's too dry or too overwhelming and the cream cheese, too sweet or too runny.

Much like staying in, I preferred choosing cheesecakes. It's safe.

Which is why I'm really sure why I went for Red Velvet today.

I quietly sipped my drink as they had their usual discussion over the game they're playing, Owl City's If My Heart Was A House ringing in my ears.

Jed grabbed the paper from the magazine bin a few moments later and began to scan for any interesting news. Most of the time there would be PSAs and whatnot, usually regarding new regulations and such, and we also kept an eye out for new apartment listings.

Twice, maybe thrice, he snuck a few bites of my dessert, thinking I wasn't looking. Or maybe he didn't care whether I was. I didn't mind one bit.

Much to my surprise the red velvet cake ended up with the right amount of moist-ness. I appreciated the crushed shortbread they added to the cream cheese for the variance in texture, and their cream cheese itself isn't as overwhelming as I pictured in my head.

(If I absently hummed to Adam Young's lyrics, you couldn't have blamed me.)

(T) Salted Caramel Frappe.
(M) A bite of that moist Red Velvet. I like that their cream cheese filling isn't too sweet.
(B) Decor. I love the deep red-brown stain on the wood; it gives the table a rich and homey tone.

Somehow our conversation shifted to the home-cooked meals our mothers make that we miss the most. Given the chance, I would always rave about my mother's pork and chicken adobo.

(She'd boil the meat with garlic until the water's gone before pouring soy sauce and vinegar in the pot. She'd then deep-dry the meat after it's imbued with the flavors, then put them back in the sauce. The meat comes out crispy and flavorful. Sinful, even. You should try it.)

Her sinigang and creamy Tuna Spaghetti are also top contenders.

We talked about our own adventures in the kitchen - how Jed and I bonded over executing recipes we found in the internet, how Emman found the best way to make hot pots, where I got the various scars and burn marks on my arms and face, and the many, many versions of sisig Jed has come up with during their drunken nights with the boys.

And somehow the conversation shifted again. And again. And we talked, and talked. Well until it was time for us to head home. Jed held my hand and was swinging our arms rather enthusiastically as we made our way home.

There were plenty of moments in my life where I had to choose between staying underneath the comfort of my blankets and heading outside to participate in life - and much like the choice between cheesecakes and red velvet, I would pick the former most times.

I'm happy I went for red velvet cake today.

The Sunday Currently | Telescopic Camera Nods

2017-07-16T07:15:00.000+04:00

Jed and I went to the beach the other day with Emman, on account of the latter's request to feel the cool evening breeze and have a quiet dinner by the shore. It has been nearly 3 months since we visited Jumeirah Beach so we figured it would be great to spend our day off wandering barefoot in the sand until it's too dark to see anything.

The evening took a slightly different turn - we decided to get lost while getting there instead, lol. We eventually arrived at Jumeirah at around 7PM but we were too tired to wade in the water, though that's perfectly fine - we got to enjoy the sound of the waves as it tirelessly pursues the shore. The wind wasn't as cool as we had hoped but it was appreciated just the same.

reading shorts from Pottermore. My heart will always be at home in Hogwarts (Slytherin represent!) and reading snippets of stories from Pottermore reminds me there's still so much to learn about the wizarding world.

listening to Noisli. GUYS. I finally found something I can listen to while I work! This is A Big Deal for me, because I couldn't stand listening to music while making graphics but still need something to fill my ears. It's not distracting, calms me down, and I can personalize it to whatever ambience I like to fit my mood. If anything I think it has helped me focus more on my artworks. It's godsend, I tell you. Download it for Android, or iOS.*

watching Family Guy bits on Youtube. This is normally what I do now during my downtime - some mind-numbing cartoons and lukewarm coffee to keep me company while I wait for the bell to ring.

thinking if I should get a massage. It's been a while since I treated myself to something relaxing, and this crick in my neck isn't getting any better.

smelling the aerosol room fresher. I also got this new scent from Miniso:

They have this limited edition Zodiac-themed scent line and it's unbearably adorable. This little gem I picked up smells dainty and floral but not heady or overpowering. I'm planning to get more because it's dirt cheap and comes in teeny bottles so I can bring them with me anywhere.

(I'm actually kind of disappointed that their Libra - my star sign - didn't appeal to me, but eh.)

wishing I could come back to the beach. The way my schedule is right now, I can only afford to come back next month - that's not bad at all. I just couldn't wait until I get to finally swim again.

hoping this week would be just as quick as the last.

wearing a maxi dress, would you believe it. Thought I'd stray from my usual formula and go for something easy to wear; I've gotten some nice compliments out of it as a result, lol.

loving Noisli, really.

wanting more sleep. Haha. The warmth of the bed in contrast to the cold, air-conditioned room makes sleeping-in a lot more inviting. I love bundling up under the covers!

needing more activities. I sit in the office for 8 hours, and then go directly to bed when I get home. Sure there's a lot of walking in between but I feel that this is the most sedentary I've been. It's come as a surprise when I found out I actually lost a few pounds, but I'd rather put my muscles to good use while that happens.

feeling kind of tired but not really. I think I just need more sleep, lol.

The clock had just struck 9PM when we finally got home. Our legs felt like lead from all the walking, tummies heavy with all the food we had for dinner (squid biryani, seafood and mushroom soup, a large platter of shawarma and hummus, and some rather addicting luqaimat).

It was the best sleep we had this week.

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

*Not sponsored.

Ashe Writes | Woven Into Being: Splicing Life

2017-07-13T19:12:00.000+04:00

Hidden in a gallery in Loring street, Pasay lies the unique exhibit by none other than Kidlat de Guia, whose exceptional art style has earned the attention of the growing local art crowd.

As a filmmaker and video editor, Kidlat applied his talents into creating the imagery for his exhibit to capture various themes that evoke similar, and thoughtful, emotions. Yet veering from the usual linear narrative, he chose to highlight certain important features of his subjects – ones that still stir up powerful sentiments in the beholder.

His exhibit, Woven Into Being, is a collection of a series of photographs reaching back to 2009 when he first wove together images for an exhibition at Cafe by the Ruins in Baguio with his brothers Kawayan and Kabunyan. Though the idea of weaving together different images would come later in 2013 after he put together photos of dogs and their owners for an Axis group show held in Baguio.

Paris
hand woven photograph
16.00 x 21.50 cm / 6.30 x 8.47 in.
2009

Through his distinctive style, Woven Into Being allows us to view two different yet all-too-similar subjects as one new image, their features either brought to light through the creative pattern, or hidden away to give them new depth.

Each photograph gives you a powerful sense of being trapped in the archaic beauty of everyday things, such as the shots of old abandoned buildings – ever-enduring the elements, standing tall in the midst of a constantly changing city yet unmoving and stuck in permanence, decaying and forgotten though still in plain view of the public, a grotesque display of wear and tear that stubbornly persists despite the odds.

Progress 1

hand woven photograph

28.00 x 28.00 cm / 11.03 x 11.03 in.

2015

Another dominant feature are the ones of the old-fashioned trucks, melded together with photos of old men, which struck us as extremely insightful because of their match – outdated and beat-up as they are, both still continue to carry on through the times, either adjusting with the modern age or sticking up to traditional ways. The way these photos are presented spoke volumes about our current period with advances in technology coming to blows with our conventional means.

Habi 6

hand woven photograph

30.48 x 45.72 cm. / 12 x 18 in.

2015

Seemingly clashing ideas were perfectly combined through Kidlat’s skillful hands to craft a work of art that simultaneously needs no words, yet requires thousands to be described.

It was an enriching experience, to say the least, to have witnessed the proud gallery of an imaginative soul with so much to give to the world.

Standing in the middle of the gallery, one only needs to take a moment to absorb the central feature of the exhibit – that the past and the present are not so different, that sometimes one needs to take apart and lace together another image entirely to gain a change in perspective, and that above all things, we endure.

*Article originally published in M Magazine's 2nd Issue, 2015

** The Woven Into Being exhibit ran from May 9 - 30, 2015

The Liebster Award

2017-07-10T15:34:00.002+04:00

I think one of the best things about blogging is the support the community gives to one another. This is what I had been missing - I'm glad to see that the support is still there.

I owe this nomination to DeeJay from bugbeeandme.com, who's running a lovely Mommy Blog after gathering inspiration from her little ones (and of course, Pinterest). Do check out her Liebster Award entry and nominations, and don't forget to check out her other blog recommendations as well!

So, first off:

I had to do a bit of research on this one myself. This blog offers a very in-depth explanation as to what the Liebster Award is, so do check her link if you're curious to find out more.

Simply put, the Liebster Award, much like the Blogger Recognition Award, was created to highlight and recognize other bloggers - usually the newbies - and welcome them into the blogosphere. The idea is to pay it forward like a chain letter to spread good vibes while helping along with promoting each others' blogs.

In order to participate, you have to:

Acknowledge the blogger who nominated you.
Answer the 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.
Provide 11 random facts about yourself.
Nominate 11 fellow blogs.
Give them 11 questions to answer.
Inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster award and provide a link for them to your post so that they can learn about it (if they are not already familiar with the award).

DeeJay had the following questions for me:

How did you decide on your niche?
- I actually didn't think about my niche when I started blogging. I only meant to blog to improve my writing; over the years it has turned into what it is now. It is, and always will be, my personal blog - all the other extras are just perks.
What is one area you are looking to improve?
- I have been meaning to improve on taking and editing photos. I have come to love photography and while I'm not knee-deep in technicalities (yet) I'm finding more and more ways to get better at it every day. I own a mirrorless camera (a Panasonic Lumix GX850) which I rarely use these days, but it's what I mainly use whenever I take travel or food photos.
How long have you been blogging?
- Err. I can't really say; I started around 2010 but I would only post once or twice every few months. Then I went on hiatus for about a year and a half before picking it back up in early 2016.
What goal do you hope to achieve with your blog?
- Years from now, when someone accidentally stumbles upon my URL long after I'm gone, I want them to think "Hey, this girl really lived it." Everyone wants to leave a footprint, and if I were to leave mine then I think this place would be it.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- I'd love to explore the Scottish countryside! I also want to visit the Lagavulin Distillery (with Jed tagging along, of course) while I'm at it, lol. Tuscany and Croatia are also on my travel list.
What are 5 items you must have every time you leave the house?
- Aside from my phone and wallet (which are obvious answers for anyone), I can't leave without my: pens , notebook, sun screen, umbrella, and wet wipes.
Are you a morning person or night owl? Why?
- I'm a night owl! I have always been nocturnal, no matter what my work shift is.
Do you speak any other languages?
- Yes! My first language is Filipino. I also know a tiny bit of conversational Japanese, and I'm currently learning Bokmål.
Favorite hobby outside of the house?
- Ah. It used to be cosplaying, but I have grown out of the hobby (and my costumes). I would now much prefer to stay at home, away from the Yellow Ball of Death, either reading, cooking, or sewing. (I am very much domesticated and house-trained.)
What is your favorite holiday?
- Halloween, hands down.
If you could have a conversation about life with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
- I'd like to dedicate a day conversing with 60-year-old-Me. Spoilers do not actually bother me; I'd much rather know what to expect. I want to know if anything has changed between 40 years, if there's anything she wanted to do but didn't or couldn't, and if I could do anything to change that. I want to make sure that when I reach that ripe old age I'll be able to look back and say, "That ride was fucking amazing. Let's do that again."

11 Random Facts About Me:

I love to cook. If I had all the time and resources I needed, this blog would have been exclusively about recipes and cooking.
Back in my younger years I was on my way to pursuing Medicine, with Psychology as my pre-med. The pressure (and eventual depression) got to me so I had to take a break. I would probably be a licensed psychiatrist by now if I didn't stop. And also horribly depressed.
I have a cat named Rufi back in the PH. I got her unexpectedly last April 2016 when she slammed onto our roof after botching her jump from the townhouse next door. She got stuck in our rafters before I got her out and she's been living with us ever since. She's very derpy and I love her very much.
Because I've been having such bizarre dreams, I used to keep a dream diary. I kept it up for almost a year until I became too depressed to write. I set it on fire some years later. I am still having bizarre dreams.
I think out loud.
No matter what it is, you'll always find me taking down notes about it.
I'm quite competitive and am not above fighting dirty to get what I want.
Sales and discounts are my black holes.
I love decluttering. If it has been sitting around not serving any purpose, if it hasn't been used in a month or so, or if I think it will not be useful to me in any way in the future, I will throw it out.
Some of the things I used to do before my (lack of) attention span got in the way: ballet and gymnastics, tae kwon do, piano lessons, figure skating. I can still do a little bit of everything - I still remember my routines, I can very well kick your ass, read scores and play songs, I can still keep my balance on ice and do a few turns - but not as good as I should be.
I discovered that the Universe does have a sense of humor when I, a person who absolutely hates phone calls, found a job in the call center industry. I'm rather good at it - more than I care to admit - and I find that really funny.

Tell me, I'd love to know:

What's your favorite thing about blogging?
Any goals for your blog in the long run?
How did you come up with your blog name?
Where do you get inspiration to blog?
Any book recommendations?
Your most favorite place in the world?
What's the best advice for your blog that you've received?
What advice would you give other bloggers in turn?
What do you usually do to de-stress and unwind?
What's one thing you have always wanted to do but have not started yet?
If you could switch to a different niche for your blog, what would it be and why?

I can't wait to see your entries! Don't forget to leave a comment with your links down below so I can check them out too. That's it, and until the next award!

The Sunday Currently | Hopefully

2017-07-02T08:02:00.000+04:00

Hello, July! We're halfway through 2017 already, how 'bout that? Things are going pretty well, if I do say so myself.

Back when I was still just daydreaming about what my life would be like so far away from home, I didn't really feel much aside from knowing that it's going to be difficult. Difficult because I will be so far away from my friends and family, difficult because I will have to carve my way into another industry that will pick me apart and judge me solely for my resume, difficult because I had grown so comfortable with the life I've always known.

But who ever grew stronger from hiding in comfort?

It has been 4 months since I hugged my mother goodbye at the airport, 4 months since I've eaten pork (and I miss it so much but it's probably for the best), 4 months since we set foot in a barely-furnished apartment, now cramped and our walls peppered with our personal effects. (Emman insisted on putting up the various posters he collected during his solitary time here. I could not be bothered to say no.)

reading nothing at the moment. Lately work has me slumped on my desk from the moment I arrive, so I don't have time this week to catch up on my reading list. Do restaurant menus and takeout brochures count, tho?

listening to the low hum of the A/C. I can't render artworks while I'm listening to music, and for the life of me I don't understand why.

watching HomeMadeModern's videos. The aesthetics just scream 'hipster', haha. I am very fond of these kinds of tutorial videos, even though it's highly unlikely that I'll be doing them myself any time soon; it simply isn't feasible for me and our living space. Despite that I still appreciate the contemporary feel of the DIYs, and I'm treating these as references for my projects in the far-off future when Jed and I finally have a house to call our own.

thinking of what to get for dinner, where to go for the next weekend, what should I wear tomorrow - that sort of unremarkable stuff. My life isn't filled with fireworks and explosions all the time, and I'm okay with that.

smelling that 'new shoe' smell, lol. A bunch of new orders just came in and they're rearranging the shelves with the new arrivals.

wishing for winter to come sooner, and never leave. The nights are noticeably much cooler, but I need MORE. Haha!

hoping this week would be just as easy as the last one. We had an immensely good time during Eid!

wearing a dress and a cardigan, just to mix things up. And also it's laundry day and I need to wash all my pants. It's difficult to choose a dress to wear because while they're quite decent enough they're still a tad too short. (I can't help wanting to show off my legs, and it's very hot outside.) I'll be getting myself some dark stockings and leggings to wear underneath them soon.

loving my new bag! Jed got me a backpack last week when we passed by a boutique during our nightly walks. I opted for a backpack so I can keep my hands free when roaming around, and I wouldn't have to worry about actually wearing it on my back because I'm not in the Philippines anymore, lol. It's so nice and roomy and has all the pockets I could ever want.

wanting something caffeinated and has chocolate in it. I may or may not head to Starbucks after my shift.

needing these damn adorable plushies.

feeling a bit hungry, as per usual. I got myself some crab paste the last time we went out for a grocery run and I'm really excited to eat it for dinner with my rice. I'll make some aligue pasta with it, too!

It has been a strangely quiet and mundane 4 months, not at all what I had pictured in my head weeks and weeks back. Once our routine was settled, it is as if we had always lived like this. No daily struggle, no battles to fight - just a gentle flux from one day to the next, and a train or two to catch to wherever we felt like going. More than once I catch myself looking forward to the next sunrise. More than once did I catch the first light with my own eyes, not the least bit tired despite being awake for more than 19 hours. I love every minute of those waking hours.

It has been 4 months since Jed and I had started living alone together. Things are going well, if I do say so myself.

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Foodstagram 101: How to Take Better Foodfies

2017-06-28T15:14:00.001+04:00

I must confess: As someone who has trouble remembering what she had for breakfast, immortalizing my happy moments is quite important to me. Taking pictures is one of the fastest and most convenient ways for me to tuck away that lasting memory into a digital copy I can look back on at any time, so I shamelessly whip out my phone whenever I can.

And out of all the things I take pictures of, food is my most favorite subject. Just take a peek at my Instagram for Exhibit A.

There's something so gratifying about taking really good foodfies (I can't believe you had to look that term up) and it makes the eating experience so much more enjoyable knowing you've preserved that work of art in an online gallery for everyone else to see.

The problem is, sometimes what we see with our eyes don't translate well through the camera lens so we end up with horrible and off-putting photos that look like they belong in a place where the sun doesn't shine - you can forget about your #foodgasm and say goodbye to your #feedgoals!

So today I'm going to share some of the things I do to take foodfies worth sharing. I do hope you learn a thing or two from this post!

Use Natural Light

This is THE most important part of taking photos - without light, you have no image. You don't have to spend a single cent on good lighting; it's always best to use the light that's naturally available and accessible when taking your photos.

When you use natural light, your food won't be tinged in any weird hue and harsh shadows (unless that is your intention). Natural light will actually help make your food and setting more appetizing by enhancing its color.

Keep in mind the direction of the light and what it emphasizes in your shots, where the light hits and where it casts shadows. Considering all these elements will help put a story together in your photo and make your foodfie more interesting!

It's always best to use soft and diffused natural light when taking photos of food.

Choose Your Background Wisely

The background is just as important as the food itself, and I pay close attention to it as much as I can. A busy background could ruin the shot and take away the attention from the food.

The background should complement the subject and blend well with the overall theme.

You can play with contrasts and complementing colors, and even be a bit experimental with it! Just remember that there should be harmony between the background and the subject.

Color is Important

We eat with our eyes and if it's not obvious enough, color has such a huge impact on your overall composition, especially in food photography.

Color can greatly affect the feel of the image as a whole, and can be used to stir the viewer's emotions. Under-saturated photos will most likely make the food in your shot unappetizing and unappealing!

Similar with the background, you can also play with the color combinations that work best with the theme of your photo.

Get the Best Angle

Perspective is everything in photography no matter what the subject is, and food is no exception. Choosing the best angle will either make or break your shot!

I find that shooting from above is the best choice, simply because I think it simulates you looking at the food as if it were on a table in front of you. It also makes it easy for you to set up your composition, and is less likely to generate harsh shadows that will otherwise ruin the shot.

That being said I'm also fond of taking close-up pictures of food if there are tiny details I want to emphasize.

Bring the Right Tool for the Job

You're only as good as the gear you bring, but some cameras are no doubt better than others. You can't always bring a DSLR with you - it's wayyy too heavy and impractical! The best option by far is a camera phone - the Oppo #SelifieExpert series, to be exact!

And which OPPO #SelfieExpert smartphone is the best for foodies and is great for taking photos with their yummy meals? What better phone to take with you than the Oppo F3! Why?

Guys, IT HAS A 13MP REAR CAMERA. #shook

I've always, always found it difficult to shoot photos indoors because there's never enough light but with the Oppo F3 you won't ever have to worry about that! You can set the aperture to up to f/2.2 which means you can still take crisp, clear photos in low light. Amazing!

But what if it's that's not enough? Don't panic - the Oppo F3 has an Expert Mode.

That means you can use it like you would operate a DLSR, minus the extra weight! With these settings you can manually adjust and play around with the parameters to produce amazing shots that require little to no editing. For a lazy person like me, that counts as a plus!

Got unsteady hands? Feeling a little shaky because you're hungry but you haven't taken that perfect shot of your food yet? The Oppo F3's got your back with its Anti-shake 2.0 feature.

It's absolutely perfect because won't ever need a tripod to hold your phone steady as you take the perfect foodfie.

Worried about not getting all of the details in your shot? This wonder-phone even has an Ultra-HD feature, which lets you shoot in the highest definition possible.

Guaranteed to capture even the smallest salt granule on your fries, lol.

Combine all of these features together and you've got the most powerful weapon available to take the best foodfies and be the envy of all your Instagram followers! ;)

It even comes with an internal storage of 64GB with 4GB of RAM so you never have to run out of space when taking countless shots at every angle, and you don't have to sacrifice your phone performance either. If that's still not enough for you, the Oppo F3 also has a dedicated slot for your micro SD card, expandable up to 128GB. And if you're on a major food crawl, this phone WILL last you all day with its 3200mAh battery life.

If you'd like to learn more about the wonder that is the Oppo F3, visit their official website here.

Or if you're feeling lazy, here's a quick look at its other specs:

IDK about you, but I'm sold, lol. All of these features, all wrapped up in a pretty package that comes in either champagne gold or rose gold. I think I know what I want for Christmas!

Got any more tips for taking the best foodfies? Tell me how you're rocking the foodstagram game! Leave a comment down below and I'll see you next time!

The Sunday Currently | One More for the Road

2017-06-25T12:06:00.000+04:00

For the first time since I started working, I'm home on a Sunday. We're officially at the end of Ramadan for the year and everyone is celebrating Eid al-Fitr, and that means no offices for the First and Second day of Eid for most employees from private and government sectors. So far, so good, I'd say.

Since it's quite rare for all three of us to be home at the same time, we've all decided to head out later in the afternoon to get some sushi (finally!!). I may or may not post some pictures in my Instagram, but I'll definitely be posting Stories, at least.

reading random Wikipedia articles. I've put Maybe Someday aside in favor of more interesting reads, like the average color of the Universe, the Loneliest Whale (which, compared to Maybe Someday, is ACTUALLY sad), and the Stendhal Syndrome. YA and romance novels rarely ever manage to hold my attention so bear with me as I struggle to finish what I've started and probably post my thoughts on Twitter (if and) when I finally finish it.

listening to Top5s videos while I write this post, and also Emman's groans of frustration as he tries to finish Kingdom Hearts 2.8 on his PS4. I think he's on the last boss but I'm not really sure. I gave Kingdom Hearts 1 a shot back when I was in high school but I never got to finish it because school work, lol.

watching some old episodes of Archer with Jed. I really love this series and its humor - one of the many things my boyfriend and I bonded through. Going back to older episodes is never boring with this series. We actually didn't realize that we've already reached the end of Season 8 until we looked up the episode list online. So now we're back to the lull of waiting for the new season to come, with the earlier seasons to stave us off until it gets released.

thinking if I should get an even shorter haircut. I finally had my hair chopped off two days ago after months of convincing myself that I could still rehabilitate my hair, but I eventually had to admit that there's no coming back from all the perming, bleaching, and coloring I've done with it. There's no glorious ressurection, no raising it back from the dead; I've throttled the life out of my hair and I have no regrets.

smelling the adobo that my flatmates are cooking in the kitchen. That's the thing about living in a small space, everything travels fast - especially the whiffs of whatever people are cooking, whether we liked it or not.

wishing perpetually for cooler weather, lol. I'm so turnt for winter, I can't even.

hoping the malls aren't as cramped today. I actually would like to stretch my legs and walk around, for once.

wearing an oversized shirt and some shorts. I'm as low-maintenance as it gets. I'll be switching to my usual pants-shirt-boots combo later when we head out for dinner, tho.

loving the Nivea Men Aftershave Balm in Sensitive, which I use as a primer. I've seen this all over the internet since last year and I'm sure you're aware of this product as well. I've been meaning to get it ever since I saw the reviews but since it wasn't available in the Philippines my only choice at the time was to purchase it online. I put it off until I got here in Dubai, where I saw that it's a common item on the personal care shelves so of course I had to get one for myself! I really like how it keeps my make up in place, it's not at all heavy on the skin, and it's dirt cheap!

wanting to finally satisfy my salmon sashimi craving, lol. I can't wait to pig out on plates and plates of sushi and sashimi later!

needing a new purse, probably. And also I think I need to revamp my blog theme again, but the daunting task of fiddling with the CSS is not at all appealing.

feeling pretty chipper and positive lately. I do miss traveling though, and I know it's going to be a while before Jed and I can get back on track with our travel list but I'm very optimistic that we'll get to that quite soon.

Eid Mubarak, everyone!

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Ashe Writes | When You Date The Guy Your Friends Warned You About

2017-06-24T14:43:00.000+04:00

They told you to follow your heart and so you did exactly that. So when your friends start telling you to prepare for the storm you knit your brows and ask them what it meant.

You think you hit the storm when you start dating him. It was a slow spin at first, the same way the wind waltzes in a gentle haze as he takes you out for coffee every other afternoon and holds your hand as you walk, picking up speed as you count the roses he sends you, before it hits a crescendo, mirroring that tempest in your heart as his kisses sweep you off your feet and into the gray sky.

And you think you know what you’re getting into, as you muffle the voices in your head that sound oddly like your best friends’, telling you to get out while you still can.

So when the real storm hits you’re caught completely unprepared and off-guard and, ironically, almost mockingly, it starts out the same way. It was a slow but steady tempo in your chest as he starts keeping his phone close by, his face causally wary as you occasionally peek at the screen, when he suddenly has to work weekends and no, he can’t make it to dinner tonight, he’s got plans and you don’t have to wait up. And it builds rhythm as your friends keep telling you what they’ve always told you – to stay away because this is going to be messy, but you stay anyway.

The climax hits when he stops answering your calls and ignores your texts and you realize it’s been weeks since you last saw each other and who’s that girl he’s with on Facebook?

You feel the ground tremble as thunder claps and as he dodges your attempts to make it work with his ‘It’s not you; it’s me’ bullshit and he’s ‘just not ready for a commitment yet’. He’ll tell you that you’ve changed, that he’s looking for something else, and how everything just feels too perfect with you. And he just like the storm he leaves you among the wreckage and rubble, nothing more than discarded bits and pieces of what you used to be.

And you blame yourself because ‘How could you be so stupid?’ your friends chime at you over the countless bottles of wine you’ve consumed, the unavoidable end result of your soiree. You couldn’t hear anything else over the thump of the speakers in the club and the empty chatter ringing your ears, and numbly you ask yourself why did you allow yourself to be so stupid?

(You’ve gone through how many bottles already? Was it just your mind playing tricks on you, the same way his words obscured your sense of reason and dampened your better judgment?)

You find yourself thinking up scenarios, the could-haves and the should-haves, wondering what would have happened if things went a different way. Maybe if you had been a little wilder, a little less reserved, or if you had worn less make up. Maybe, maybe, he would have stayed. You could spend forever counting all the maybes because it’s all you have left, while he’s running around with another girl no wiser than you, gearing up to stir another tumult while uncaringly leaving a debris of broken hearts in his wake.

You can be any of these, but whatever you do, don’t ever blame yourself. For inasmuch as it was your choice to ride with the storm, it was his choice to leave you in pieces. Remember that it was his choice to break your heart and waste your trust, that it was his choice to be blind to your worth.

Don’t ever blame yourself for believing in love, for giving the relationship, and him, a chance.

So when you find yourself crossing paths and all you want to do is to avoid eye contact and go the other way, I want you to do the exact opposite. Stand straight, hold your head high and look at him dead in the eye as you walk by. Let him know he didn’t break you completely (and he tried, oh he tried). Let him know that you’re stronger than he or you thought. Let him know that you’re being the bigger person here, because you still have a shot at happiness while he continues his empty existence endlessly chasing skirts.

Don’t ever blame yourself, because they told you to follow your heart and so you did exactly that.

This is an experimental piece I decided to put up. I was thinking of changing writing styles but it proved to be much more challenging than I thought. I'm not sure how to feel about the end result though.

How do you like it?

Blogger Recognition Award

2017-06-19T10:13:00.002+04:00

Wait, what? A recognition award? Aww shucks! You shouldn't have~! I didn't even get to prepare an acceptance speech!

Loljk - I was just having fun. But I'm seriously quite flattered I got nominated for this award! To me, this is just an incentive to push even harder and improve myself and this blog. ♥

If you're not already familiar with the concept, the Blogger Recognition award is just an "award" given to a blogger by another blogger to appreciate and recognize all the hard word that we all put into publishing new content and keeping our websites fresh and updated. Blogging takes quite a bit of work and this is just a small way of showing our fellow bloggers that we all see the effort they put into their little corners of the internet.

How did I get the award?

I was nominated by World of Nabeeda. I'd like to thank her for checking out my blog and seeing that it's worth nominating! Nabeeda's blog is filled with her life experiences and the lessons that come her way - it's definitely worth checking out! She also has a series called Ramadan Diaries, which details her musings during this holy month of prayer. Go ahead and click on her blog link to check out more of her posts!

How did my blog start?

I must admit the little morsel of detail I left in my About page leaves a lot to be desired, and I can't blame you. I started this blog years(ssss) ago primarily because I wanted to improve on my writing skills, and my Languages professor at the time suggested this as an alternative to writing by hand. Though I got the general gist, I still wasn't sure what to write about so back then my blog posts were about completely random and insignificant things. It wasn't until I was halfway through my college years when some people started contacting me about writing for them and using my blog to advertise, which I happily accepted. Since then I've been to a few events, traveled to a few places and met new people, wrote for a few products and ads, and even got a writing gig for two magazines for a time. Blogging took me places and, while it wasn't on a larger scale like some of our more well-known bloggers/influencers, I'm quite grateful I was able to experience these things and more.

Advice for new bloggers:

I'm not really sure I'm the right person to dish out advice, just because I think I'm not qualified for it. But since you asked me:

Always write about things that matter to you. Ever tried to write about something you're not interested in? Takes too much time and effort, yeah? When you finish your piece, do you feel accomplished, or do you feel relieved that you're finally done? When you write about things that you're actually interested in, not only do the words come naturally to you but you're also painting the tone of the entire article. You may not notice it but your readers will pick up on whether what you're writing about is something you believe in or care about. The way to a reader's heart is to show them what you're passionate about. Writing - and blogging - doesn't have to be a chore.

There's nothing wrong about doing things for the followers but above all, do things for you. Never forget that you're the most important aspect of your blog! Travel if you need clarity, go out with your friends if you need a laugh, take breaks when you need to rest, and don't be afraid to write about what makes you happy.

Since this is all about passing the award on, here are my nominations:

D'Bacon by Duane Bacon - Cosplayer-turned-lifestyle blogger. His posts are unique and refreshing! He's been in the scene longer than I have, and I'm pleased to see how far he's come.
Hear the Magic by Rebecca Cahill - Rebecca is a special needs teacher who hosts an author site. She blogs about writing tips for aspiring authors, her experience on being published, and does book reviews on another blog, The Page Unbound. She's currently hosting a giveaway, so please check out her website if you're interested!
A E S T H E T I C by Angge De Castro - This quirky 16 year-old blogs mostly about her life experiences, but she throws in some reviews here and there. I love her minimalistic theme!
Pau Pursues Passion by Pau Castillo - Exactly what is says on the tin, this blog is all about Pau's pursuit of passion and her adventures in the real world. She has also published her own novel called Between Two Worlds, and is currently up and about chasing one dream after another.
The Nevermind Blog by Manahil and Laiba Shafiq - A beauty, make up, and fashion blog run by two sisters from Pakistan. I love how they incorporate their culture and heritage in their fashion posts and give it a modern and trendy flair, and their make up tips are simple and easy to follow.
Pastel Scales by Patricia - This blog, much like its author, is dreamy and creative. It chronicles the author's life as she travels, takes on beauty reviews, and her journey to rediscovering herself.
Keunggulan Wanita by Halimah Muhiden - I'd consider this a life blog since her posts are a combination of health, lifestyle, beauty, make up, food, and recipes - and even tips on motherhood! Her posts are in Malaysian but trusty Google Translate can help you read her blog.
Emm Travel Adventures by Mohit Anand - Your typical travel-adventure blog, but from the eyes of someone who really wants to immerse themselves with the culture. His photos and narratives of the places he's been to will make you feel like you've been there yourself.
Rachell by Rachell Ho - A beauty and lifestyle blog run by Rachell, who also makes restaurant and product reviews from time to time. I also love how clean and responsive her blog layout is!
Your Veg Recipe by Paritosh and Monica Mehta - The lovechild of a vegetarian foodie couple, Paritosh and Monica regularly post new tasty vegetarian recipes for everyone to enjoy. Their posts are organized by categories to make it easier for their readers to navigate, and they also have a segment called "What's in your fridge?" that helps you figure out what to cook by simply putting in the ingredients you have in your fridge. Isn't that nifty or what?? Definitely a blog I'll be checking back!
KelsieColette.com - A beauty, lifestyle, and inspiration blog run by the website's namesake Kelsie. This blog was born out of Kelsie's desire to empower women, and contains honest and in-depth product reviews, as well as providing useful swatches for women of color, and easy-to-follow make up tips for beginners.
Awaiting Disaster by Elle Evangelista - The personal blog of a published writer and event organizer. This blog offers a window into her mind as she records her musings and daily life.
Belong, Believe, and Become! by Val Papauran - It's notable that Val's motto is "Better late than never", and I think she's taken it to heart quite well! Her blog is mostly about her experiences from moving to another country to join her partner, to solely expressing her thoughts and ideals. She also made posts on her experience in getting a Netherlands Visa, getting TESDA accreditation, and her Civil Interrogation Exam ordeal, which I think is pretty commendable!
Confessions of an Undertaker by Peter - Definitely not a blog you see every day! Peter works as a embalmer and hopes that his blog will shed some light into this dark and mysterious profession. His extensive experience in the funeral industry shows in the blog, from the technicalities of post-mortem photography to anecdotes of his life working with the dead.
IAmDanElson.com - One more travel blogger who hopes to inspire his readers to pack up and see the world. Dan's goal is not just to help others to explore, experience and enjoy more of what life has to offer through long term travel, but to also help you save and make money for travel.

All these lovely blogs have put so much effort into writing about what matters to them, and they deserve the recognition! Congratulations!

Here's what you need to do now:

Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
Write a post to show your award.
Give a brief story of how your blog started.
Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
Select 15 other bloggers you want to give this award to.
Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated and provide the link to the post you created.

Thanks again to Nabeeda for nominating me!

The Sunday Currently | Hey, Call Me.

2017-06-18T13:49:00.000+04:00

So here we are at the 3rd week of June - we're 3 months and a few weeks into our life in Dubai and I'm happy to report that we're slowly getting our rhythm down pat. There are minor lapses here and there (like forgetting to do the groceries), but overall I'm quite happy we've got a budding system in the works. For someone like me who thrives in having (some sort of semblance of) order and routine in their lives, this is somewhat a big deal.

At the moment I'm looking forward to the end of Ramadan, mostly because I think it's time I come back to my old schedule; I feel like that schedule has the most structure and that I get a lot more accomplished.

And also because of the Eid sales.

reading Maybe Someday, still. I dunno, guys. I've already lost interest halfway through the first page of the book, and I'm now procrastinating on reading it. I really want to finish it but I just find the writing style... awkward? And a little trying hard? I find myself involuntarily rolling my eyes at Sydney's internal monologue. But I'll power through and let you know.

listening to some power ballads while I render the catalogues. It felt appropriate.

watching Gabriel Iglesias's bits on YouTube. This is something Jed and I do while winding down for the day; a few laughs gets you places, especially after a long (hot) day at work.

thinking of moving to Wordpress. Don't get me wrong - Blogger's wonderful with its easy-to-customize-and-personalize layout for one thing, and it's made everything so easy for me when I was starting out. I've stuck with it through my years of (sporadic) blogging, but I kind of feel like the community is dead. Back in the day everyone used to be so active, and you could really feel the presence of the other bloggers. Now there's a tangible dead silence up and about, and I'm not sure for how long it's been around, or if it's permanent. I hope not. What I'd really like is more engagement with other bloggers, and I feel like I won't find it here anytime soon.

smelling the Jasmine incense wafting into our room from downstairs. People here are big on that, and I'm not complaining. I rather like Jasmine.

wishing I'll finally find the time to head to that Japanese Iftar buffet in Burjuman Mall! Jed found this nifty conveyor belt sushi place by the mall and I've been raring to go ever since. (Because yes I'm still pissed that Sakae Sushi closed up their PH branches before I could go back for one last binge. Ugh!)

hoping I could find the time to go shop for new stuff this week. My mother's been pressing me to get an umbrella for myself for weeks now, and I honestly couldn't be bothered. I don't mind the heat, I'm relying on sunblock for now, and I hate going to the store because it's going to be packed for sure. Maaaaybe on Friday? *shrugs*

wearing my cable knit sweater. The A/C's thermostat is whacked, and the office is now uncharacteristically cold. Normally I don't get bothered by really low temperatures (I live for the cold weather) but I need to keep myself warm or I won't be able to even grip the mouse properly.

loving the new fabric conditioner that Emman got for us. You can actually hear me purr whenever I'm putting away our freshly-laundered clothes because I'm so in love with the scent.

wanting a new phone case. Something more heavy-duty, I think. And I'd rather get something that has a built-in stand for my phone so I won't have to get those ring holders. They're pretty bulky and I hate not being able to put my phone in my pocket because of it.

needing some sort of activity to get my heart rate up. Go figure.

feeling pretty chill at the moment. I just finished my tasks for the week and I'm now actively looking for something to keep me busy in the office.

So I'm just about to get my card, which is such a Bad Idea because I'll now be equipped to make online purchases. Giving me a card is like handing me a dangerous weapon and I know how to use it lol.

Lucky I've got Jed to keep me in check - but not before I can do a major haul from one of my favorite online make up stores! Once I receive my items I'll do a make up and skin care loot/haul post. See you then!

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

The Sunday Currently | Falling Up

2017-06-04T09:21:00.000+04:00

Guess who didn't get enough sleep last night? Lol. Evidently I made a mistake on the header of this blog entry, I lost the .psd file so I couldn't edit the number anymore, and I didn't want to start over just because I messed up one character, so I improvised.

How's your Sunday going so far?

Edit, 02/07/17: My obsessive compulsion got the better of me, so I replaced the blog title. Enjoy.

reading Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover. One of my friends mentioned this book to me in passing about 2 years ago saying I should give it a try and I might like it. I put it in my backlogs and forgot about it until now. So far I'm still up to the first few chapters because YA isn't really a genre I pay attention to, and also I don't have the attention span for it to begin with. Especially now that I'm a little busy with work. Romance novels aren't really my style, but I gave this book a shot because I want to know exactly what was in it that made my friend think I might like it. (I like proving people wrong.) Based on my research, the author also collaborated with musician Griffin Peterson to create a soundtrack to accompany the novel, which I think is pretty cool because it gives your experience more dimension, and you don't see that everyday.

listening to Buzzfeed Unsolved's feature of The Dauphine Orleans Hotel while I'm rendering files. I find that listening to narratives while I'm on zombie mode makes me a lot more productive as opposed to when I'm listening to music, and I'm not really sure why. Also Ryan's shrieks of terror are funny.

watching Parks and Recreation with Jed. He loves this series and has been telling me about it since forever, and I've also seen countless GIFs of some of the show's funniest scenes all over Tumblr so I thought it's about time I binge watch the whole thing. We're at the 2nd season so far and it's hella hilarious! I don't know why I put off watching it for so long.

thinking of what to do when I get off work later. Jed mentioned wanting to watch Wonder Woman with me later, so we'll see.

smelling the powdery air freshener, still. Someone had this spray-doohickey installed that... sprays the room with the stuff every few minutes. I still don't like it.

wishing I had the motivation and discipline to go through with my weight loss plan. Lol. It's in the works and I'll definitely get to it, but when is the big question. I think I need a trainer to literally whip me into working out.

hoping I could find a new pair of boots in the mall for my everyday use. I hate wearing my flats because it's so hotttt; I could literally feel its underside melting against the concrete.

wearing err, clothes. Lol, I don't know what to tell you. I'm still in my jeans-boots-shirt combo, and I'm too lazy to coordinate a better outfit for the office. Haha. These jeans were sent to me by my mom, though, because she thought I'd run out of clothes to wear here and she knows I hate wearing skirts. My mom's so thoughtful. ♥

loving the fact that we get shortened hours of work for Ramadan. I'm pretty grateful I get to go home earlier so I can have more time to spend lying in bed while endlessly scrolling through my phone.

wanting some kimchi, actually! I don't think I'll ever get enough. And also more books to read, from genres I'm actually interested in.

needing a new bag. My handbag just burst a seam and I can't be bothered to sew the leather shut. I'll opt for a small backpack this time, actually.

feeling just a tad hungry, but I could also just be bored. Either way, some burgers would be good right now.

I'm pretty thrilled that Thought Catalog posted my submission. It's about my previous post, What I Learned From My Breakup, with a few edits here and there. It has honestly made me feel like my writing style is up to someone's standard enough to get it published on a website for other people to read, and it doubles as encouragement for me to write even more. So yeah, maybe I'll make another submission for them sometime soon and cross my fingers it'll get approved.

If you'd like to see my post on Thought Catalog's website, please follow this link so you can read it! I'd appreciate any feedback, just make sure it's constructive. :) See you next Sunday!

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

The Sunday Currently | Some Sort of Progress

2017-05-28T12:43:00.000+04:00

I'm not sure if it's because I haven't been paying attention that much but boy am I surprised to realize that this is the last Sunday of May. What the heck, right? I'd like to take that as a sign that Things Are Going Well, but then again when the days fly by fast you might risk taking things for granted.

I want to make a conscious effort to make my days count as I count the days passing by.

Which is why I'm on the search for a new hobby. It won't be long before I can buy my own sewing machine, so there's that and my Pinterest sewing projects waiting for me. But in the meantime maybe I'd take up the nearby gym's membership offer and sign up. Maybe. It's still way too hot and I don't know about you but I cannot wait for the Winter season to arrive.

reading snippets of Winterheart, just because. It will always be one of my favorites. I plan on moving onto Poetic Justice soon because it's one of those rare awesome pieces about a now-used-and-abused prompt. The chapter length is a little daunting but I think the slow build-up was absolutely necessary to establish their bond and the eventual relationship they waltzed into.

listening to this mashup for the millionth time ever since I came across it on Youtube last week. It was initially a random click and I didn't really know what to expect but oh my god the one who made it knew exactly what he was doing. As one comment puts it: it's the acoustic version of Helena we all deserve.

watching Wade's Dead by Daylight playlist. I'm very fascinated by this game, mostly because of the mechanic and the lore behind it, and I've been following LPs of it ever since it was in Beta. I find Wade to be a very capable player, both as a Killer and as a Survivor. And also it's fun to hear them squeal in terror when they're being hunted, lol.

thinking about my family in the Ph. Things haven't been going so well and we're in quite the state.

smelling this powdery air freshener someone from the office got to mask the smell of food being heated in the microwave. I don't like it.

wishing I can find myself a new project or activity to latch onto. This lull doesn't sit well with me.

hoping I still have time later to make a cheater's version of Hainanese Chicken using our rice cooker. I've got a really bad craving I need to sate, and fast.

wearing this new liquid eyeliner I got from Ilahui. I like how it's so easy to shape the wing with the way it's structured and while it's not waterproof it can certainly last 8+ hours without any retouches.

loving the above-mentioned eyeliner. Haha!

wanting some ketchup chips. The dry season brought about some weird cravings for me and I've been looking for some ketchup-flavored chips recently. The local grocery hasn't restocked the brand I usually purchase yet, tho. Ugh.

needing to fix up my desk. The way my new computer tower is set up is a little inconvenient for me - I can't even reach the back where the ports are without squeezing myself into a tight crevice. A bit of readjustment should do the trick.

feeling a bit restless. There's less hours spent in the office and I feel like I need to make use of the excess somehow.

It was a particularly windy day and I had just arrived at my (still-closed) office building. I didn't think something was off until I realized I was the first one there, and the doors were still closed at 9:30AM. Usually someone would be setting up at the shop by that time, but there I was standing in the heat of the sun waiting for someone to open up the doors.

Then I realized Ramadan had begun the day before, and it all made sense.

But everything's still good. Aside from the shortened work hours and the fact that you can't eat in the office, we didn't have to adjust that much. A friend of ours actually commented on how fast we acquainted ourselves with the way of life in here, and we're more than flattered - after all, that was the plan, right? We weren't expecting a smooth transition but here we are.

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Ashe Writes | What I Learned From My Breakup

2017-05-24T18:16:00.001+04:00

Honestly I tried not to talk about this in detail online, aside from tiny bits of references to it on Twitter. If you scroll back long enough on this blog, you'll eventually see pictures of me with my previous partner (along with some unflattering photos of me). We broke up in the latter part of 2015 after 5 (very slow) years of being together and while it stung like hell, in the end I was more than glad it was over.

I'm now in a much happier and healthier relationship, thankfully. I finally feel my life is heading somewhere good, and the days couldn't get any better. Today I thought I'd share some of the things I picked up on my way from being in a terrible place to where I am now.

On listening to others

I never realized it but I was a completely unpleasant person back then. I was spiteful, negative, and very, very unhappy. The thing is, I never realized I was unhappy - I've always thought it was Just The Way Things Are. But my friends and family noticed. In the entire time I've been with my ex, I’ve heard one too many “Just walk away” and “He’s not good for you” to count, but back then I dismissed it all thinking it’s just something people say. I took their words for granted and stayed.

Turns out, if your loved ones don’t like your partner, there’s likely a very good reason why. It wasn’t until I had a good talk with my sister and some friends shortly after the breakup that I realized what he and the relationship was turning me into, and what could have happened if I had just stubbornly plodded on. I’d probably still be miserable. It pays to listen to those close to you, too, even if it’s not what you want to hear.

(My favorite was "He's too stupid for you!")

Being single didn't mean I was alone

I had a friend ask me why I was so afraid to let go. At the time, I was already so anxious over the thought of breaking up that I couldn’t help but be a little dramatic. I told him I felt like I was jumping off from a ship into the open sea without a life jacket and I can’t swim, and no thanks this ship has holes but it’s still somewhat okay, and I don’t even know if I'll find another ship.

His response was, Dude. Just bring a boat. You’ve got friends who will paddle with you. And then he looked at me like I was an idiot, lol.

Overrated metaphors aside, he let me see that venturing out into the world by myself didn’t mean I should do it alone; I had a support group in the form of my family and friends. Being independent didn’t mean I had to isolate myself from the people who cared about me.

On giving yourself time

The aftermath of the breakup was a hazy, tangled mess of memories (aided by alcohol, no doubt). Everything sped up to a blur and I found myself too busy to even think about anything. Eventually I found home in the arms of my best friend and I couldn't ask for more, but in hindsight I should have given myself time to grieve, internalize, and process what had happened before I went into a new relationship.

Things happened pretty quickly with Jed and while we were (still are) quite happy, at the beginning of the relationship I felt that I didn't deserve him while I was still broken and healing, and he definitely didn't deserve picking up what's left of me after my failed relationship. It was a long road to recovery and I was lucky to have found someone who made the process so easy for me, but I felt that this is something I should have done by myself, for myself.

On moving on and moving forward

Oh, boy.

Back when the breakup was still fresh, I thought about removing some of the more... sentimental entries I made in the past. I felt that just as my ex didn't have a place in my life anymore, they, too, didn't belong anymore in my blog, that I didn't want to have anything to do with him, or anything that reminded me of him and our time together. Move on, they said.

I’ve had a lot of time in between clicking the Delete button and watching my cursor move in circles, anywhere else but there. By deleting these entries – essentially memories, experiences – was it wise for me to move on when moving on, to me, meant forgetting?

Truth be told I never liked saying I'm ‘moving on’. (Yuck, so jologs.) The phrase always left a bitter taste in my mouth, and certainly not because I’m bitter myself, but there I was throwing the words around after we called it quits. In my head, it looked like I’m dusting my hands clean and walking away from the rubble without taking anything with me. Which, in retrospect, isn’t all that bad; if you want to remove yourself from the bad stuff, you’re free to do as you please.

But moving on, to me, carried the same sense as getting a new toothbrush after you’re done with the old one. And while my failed relationship wasn’t all sunshine daisies, and butter mellow, I knew it didn’t deserve to be dismissed so casually like it didn’t once occupy a significant part of my life.

I didn’t want to move on, I wanted to move forward.

I refuse to wipe my slate blank and go back to square 1 because that would mean I didn’t learn anything; to pretend it didn’t happen would be totally unfair to me, my ex, and to my future partner. Whether I liked it or not, those 5 years played a part of making me who I am now. I came out of that relationship knowing what I want, and, no matter how vague, an idea of how to get it.

I’m not saying I want to remain stuck on the past – it’s the last thing I want. I’m saying I want to take the experiences, even the pain, which are inevitably part of me forever, with me so I can grow. This is about me wanting to be able to talk about my past openly, without fearing it, without inhibitions, and without it affecting me negatively. I'm moving forward carrying all of this not as baggage, but as a part of me.

This is about acknowledging the good and the bad so I can become a better version of me. And that sounded a lot better than leaving the past behind a locked door. So the blog posts will stay.

I really should have just written a separate blog post for this one, but I was worried this post wouldn’t be as coherent.

There's still more I'd like to say, but I think this should do for now. If asked, I still wouldn't trade any of this for the world, tears and all. More than anything, I'm quite thankful and that's enough for me.

What about you? What was your break up like, and how did you move forward?

PS: This piece is also available in Thought Catalog.
Click here to view the article on the Thought Catalog website. Thank you!

The Sunday Currently | In Limbo

2017-05-21T10:46:00.002+04:00

I just realized there's exactly 10 days left before June. The May section of my planner is desolate, I just remembered I need to pick up some stuff from the supermarket, and I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday. For what it's worth, I'm really trying here.

Lately I've been feeling like everything's happening in a rush - and not just with me, but with everyone around me. I can't really explain the feeling, but it's close to being roused from your afternoon nap to hurry along to an appointment you didn't know you had only to find out you're an hour and a half early. Something like that.

reading Winterheart, again. I love this story to bits. I can't believe I don't have the paperback copy yet! I also want one of Off the Record, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to find any more available copies online. At the moment I only have the PDF files provided by the author herself but I'd love to have a physical copy, of course.

listening to Mark and his friends play Dead by Daylight in Youtube. Usually I'd open up a random video of their playthroughs and keep it running in the background when I'm doing something so I can listen to the audio of their lovely screams of panic and terror lol.

watching nothing, at the moment. Though I'm thinking of starting with a new series to watch during my down time. Something other that Supernatural, which I've grown bored of recently.

thinking of changing my skin care routine. I'm okay with the routine I've got going right now but I might change it into something that targets more specific concerns, like wrinkles (not that I have any, but I'm preempting it) and those acne marks I've had for years. I'll do my research and see where that takes me.

smelling the rubbing alcohol I sprayed on my hands. Is it weird that I like spraying some on my hands just to feel that cool sensation as it dries? I'm sure everyone does it too. Lol.

wishing sokoglam! ships to the UAE. They have such nice products but they only ship to certain countries at the moment. Oh welp. A girl can dream!

hoping I can make it to the mall after work in time. I get off really late in the evening and I've got some stuff I need to check afterwards.

wearing that cute ring I got from Ilahui. It was a random purchase because the design was so simple and cute. Pics to come, probably.

loving the pares we had when we went grocery-shopping in a PH supermarket a few days ago. I only discovered the wonders of (good) pares from Jed, who eats it whenever he can back at home. It's sort of his comfort food, really. I, on the other hand, like a bowl or two occasionally but I don't imagine myself seeking some out any time soon.

wanting to head to the beach and feel the sand between my toes again. Which is weird because I tend to avoid the beach, actually. (Ick, the sun! Ick, people! Ick, the outside!) I think what this probably means is that I'd like a change of pace, or even scenery, somewhat. We'll see.

needing another haircut. At least I feel like I do. At waist-length, this is the longest I've ever let my hair grow. I used to dream of having hair this long when I was a kid, but now I don't know. Maintenance is tedious and I hate needing to tie it up anyway when I'm at work (it actually gets in my way when I'm designing artworks). And then I remember thinking about chopping it all off a few months ago, well before I left for the UAE. Everything's still in limbo, but I'm pretty sure I'll figure this one out sometime soon.

feeling err, I'll get back to you on that.

I've been told that playing video games improves your focus, and I agree. It's been weeks since I touched my last save in Arkham City, and I STILL want to play Don't Starve (or Don't Starve Together with Jed) even after all these years, lol.

Maybe once I've got my routine down pat. I still feel like everything's in limbo, somehow.

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Ashe Writes | A Trip to Trev's

2017-05-16T18:22:00.001+04:00

These days a lot of establishments would boast that they have the best food at reasonable prices - but finding out of they walked the talk is another journey entirely. Time and again I found myself walking away from their doors with my wallet a little lighter but my cravings yet to be satisfied. "Until the next adventure!" I'd say.

Having said that, Trev's Bar and Grill definitely set the bar miles higher after my visit with them.

The wide open parking space welcomed us in, and we were impressed with how spacious and accommodating the vibe is even from the outside. I was even more impressed with the interior - very roomy but comfortable and homey. Michael Dee, the manager and head of operations, tells me that his brother did the design and architecture, with his mother taking care of the furnishings.

It was a family effort for a family dream, he says.

What started as a distant aspiration of his parents now became a reality when they first opened their doors back in November 2017 - and it just keeps getting better for Trev's (an inversion of Michael's father's nickname - Bert). The restaurant easily managed to give off the look and feel of a classy modern bar whilst still maintaining the family-friendly ambience. It wasn't too dark, and the sound system's volume was just right - no need to scream out my order to the waiter, or yell at my friends to tell them about how my day went.

In keeping with the family's effort to materialize their dream some of the food in the menu were inspired by or were actual family recipes from Michael's kin, painting a personal and rather sentimental touch to each dish. Pleasantly satisfying, savory, and with a hint of loving care, it's impossible not to enjoy their house specialties. Trev's has a wide range of entrees from beef to seafood - all carefully prepared and perfect for sharing with a group. A sure favorite is their Baked Oysters and their Humba!

The bar, manned by Michael's cousin, also flaunts an array of drinks and cocktails that will most definitely go well with your dinner. A real must-try is their Banana Colada, a rich cocktail of rum and sweet happiness. I felt my worries melt after a huge sip!

Bailey's Banana Colada. ❤️ #trevsgrill #AshexFood #AshexPlaces #pinacolada #baileys #lowkeyalcoholic
A post shared by Ａｓｈｅ。 (@_subliminalwish) on Apr 13, 2015 at 4:37am PDT

Apart from the lovely menu and the relaxing interior, guests can enjoy being serenaded by the band of the night. It was Acoustic Monday, and I made sure to send out a request for my favorite acoustic songs to set the mood. By the end of the night I was too reluctant to leave the comfort of my seat. The thought of another visit to Trev's became my reassurance, accompanied by the thought of more great food to be shared with my favorite people, and the sound of Mojito glasses clinking.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

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Article originally published in M Magazine Volume 2, Issue 6.

The Sunday Currently | Dubai Microdiary

2017-05-14T20:16:00.003+04:00

This is probably my best attempt at jump-starting regular blog updates again. Right now the hours are dead in my new office and I'm rediscovering my interest in Photoshop. Also because I need it for work, but that's another story.

I recently found myself with too much time on my hands, and yet I have no time at all. It feels so surreal when I sit there knowing everything's supposed to be secured and set but I still have that nagging feeling in the back of my head - a sort of mild anxiety over the seconds ticking by. Is this some form of FOMO or something? I may or may not find out.

reading the local newspaper. There are free weekly publications available around the city, distributed by kabayans, for kabayans, and then some. They proved to be quite essential to us during our first few weeks here as it provides must-read articles and crucial FYIs and PSAs - not to mention their classified ads played a big role in our job hunt. These days we pick them up out of habit mostly, but we still enjoy reading them for the articles.

listening to my boss mumble some instructions to somebody on the phone. I try not to listen in, anyway. Plus they speak Urdu 90% of the time. I'm keen on learning Urdu, but I've yet to find an app that carries the language.

watching nothing at the moment. I don't think I've touched Youtube or downloaded any series in the past few days and I'm not really sure why.

thinking about what to eat for breakfast tomorrow. Most days I skip breakfast but now that Jed and I have a concrete schedule to follow I'd like to (slowly) integrate a routine for us.

wishing for cooler weather. I mean, who isn't?

hoping there won't be much people out on my way home. I take the metro to work since it's so hot in the morning, and then walk on my way home. It's cost-effective, and I like to pretend that this is my attempt at exercising. During the late afternoon though you can bet there's a horde of people rushing to get home too so it's a little chaotic.

wearing my regular jeans - black shirt - boots combo. I have no need to dress up because my new company has no strict dress codes. And I'm lazy. Also my fashion sense will clash horribly with this country's norms. So yeah, sticking to jeans and shirts. It's quite a downer when I really, really want to wear shorts because of the heat and even THAT is out of the picture.

loving this new pimple cream I got. I started breaking out two weeks since I moved here and so far this cream is the only thing helping me keep them at bay. I hope it lasts until my skin gets accustomed to the weather!

wanting some xiao long baos and kimchi. My only gripe with this country at the moment is its lack of diversity as far as cuisines go, which is rich of me to say when there's a surplus of Iranian, Turkish, Indian, Egyptian, and even Greek and Filipino(!!) restaurants, but I've yet to see a Korean restaurant here. They do offer some Chinese food but the menu items are sadly limited. (Who wants to eat spring rolls over and over?) I've got a bad craving for my favorite dumpling and now I'm kind of convinced I'll have to resort to making it myself.

needing some motivation to go to the gym. In this summer heat tho?? You'd have to be insane. The heat has formed a warm blanket over the city and I'm far from cozy. But I know I have to get it over with sooner or later. I need to get back in shape - badly.

feeling jittery, actually. It's cold where I'm sitting at the moment. Lol.

I'll try to make this a regular thing. It's always fun looking back and reacting to things I've written in the past. This'll be like a more organized time capsule.

• The Sunday Currently was originally created by Sidda Thornton •

Quick Post | Hello, May!

2017-05-05T03:00:00.000+04:00

Finally this blog is (sort of) all caught up. Somewhat.

Aside from a really bad case of Hainanese Chicken cravings and a dire need for a hair cut, I think I'm doing okay. We haven't got the whole "independent adult" thing down pat yet but we're getting there.

This month I'll really try to make more effort into uploading regular blog posts. I believe I only need to get my rhythm back and I should be good. Theoretically.

I'm thinking about starting a new series about my life here in Dubai, but I'm not really sure if I'll be able to chronicle all the things properly, let alone make regular updates. But we'll see. I'm still pretty optimistic about my time management skills, and my ability to remember to do things right when there's no time left for me to do them.

So yeah, here's to me getting things done, if only to make it seem like I've got everything figured out. Somewhat.