The Smile Chronicles

MOVING TO WORDPRESS

2012-02-01T10:33:00.000+08:00

I drafted a long post and blogger decided to play hide and seek. I lost. Hence, I'M MOVING TO WORDPRESS!

Plus, I can blog via my Blackberry there. *cue evil laugh. 

I'll be deleting this blogger account once I figure out how to transfer the comments from Disqus...HELP?!

New blog: www.thesmilechronicles.wordpress.com

On Relationship...ts #1

2011-12-20T04:06:00.002+08:00

When you finally find yourself ready to fall,

you better be ready to fight as well.

karla

Q: Where the hell is Matt? A: Dancing with Me!

2011-12-11T21:53:00.001+08:00

First of all, you might be asking, "WHO THE HELL IS MATT?". If you are, click the link below!

"I never thought of stopping." - Karla :)

Just the other day I found out that Matt of www.wherethehellismatt.com was coming to Manila. He was inviting people through his Facebook account to go to the University of the Philippines to dance with him. I did not think twice. I just knew I had to go and just do it... DANCE WITH MATT.

My younger brother and his friends were apparently going too. Yey! I was not going to look stupid alone... well, I mean with strangers. :)

I was pretty sure some will wear crazy outfits. I was planning to do a Filipiniana theme with my brother Kevin to represent the country. Hey, what's the sense of doing the dance if you won't be able to find yourself in the video, right? However, due to me waking up late and being my usual uber slow self in the morning, I ended up grabbing the brightest shirt I saw in my closet and wore it. I thought I can just say "I'm the itty bitty girl in red.". Although right now, I wish we prepared better. It would have been cool if were in costume. I would have brought my own kalabaw there if I had one, or be in an Igorot outfit just so the country is well-represented. The weather was pretty cold and wet though, so using my emergency bahag might not be a good idea anyway.

On our way, Kevin and I got lost and went two rounds around UP. I forgot how large it was, and I didn't know they close some roads on Sundays. He and I were starting to get annoyed at each other out of frustration. When we finally got to the venue, we squeezed in the crowd of people already dancing, and learned the steps in a snap. I guess we just forgot how pissed we were about getting lost because we had to focus on not making complete fools of ourselves - at least not more than everyone else there. Haha!

The gang. I love his straw hat!

So we danced... in the rain. No, not the romantic kind with violins or a piano playing in the background, Matt handing me a rose as we glide in harmony in front of the College of Fine Arts building. He gave out directions and I'd say he was awesome at teaching to a bunch of people with mixed backgrounds in dance. That's the way I like it! Simple and straight to the point. I followed Matt's fun and crazy steps, together with around 30 strangers, counting and shouting with everyone which side we had to be in just so there's a dose of "choreography" in the video. It was really fun!

With Matt, wet! Good thing I was wearing a dri-fit shirt!

Kevin with Matt. I think my brother's "Matt" pose is better than mine. BOO.

I tried not to put rhythm or grace in my moves too. I found that quite hard since moving to the beat is something I always try to do. However, making myself look "awkward" is very natural to me, so I guess that helped.

My favorite part was the last clip, where he asked us to just get crazy - AND WE DID. Well, at least I thought I did. It was epic. I can't remember when was the last time I let myself go like that, it was liberating. And before I forget, I want to apologize to the people beside me if I have splashed you with mud during the crazy, do-whatever-you-want dance. I get super excited sometimes. Okay fine... almost all the time.

Groupies


I wish you get really rich and take some fans with you to travel. *wink wink! MY IDEA. Hence, SHOTGUN!

JR with Matt!

Some tips if Matt is in your area and you decided to be part of his journey (and him to be part of yours):

1. Know where the actual venue is, parking, etc. My brother and I missed the first 2 parts and I'm kind of sad about that because we got lost!

2. Get there early!

3. Wear cool outfits. It would be awesome if you can wear a traditional costume to represent your country / city.

4. Have extra clothes just in case it rains. Or in case you sweat profusely.

5. Bring cash so you can buy a shirt and his book! I wasn't able to buy a shirt :( We were rushing to get to the venue on time and didn't have time to stop by an ATM. That was so stupid.

6. Let him sign the shirt/book. He will take photos with you, even dance for you. He is such a cool guy!

7. Let go and DANCE!

Matt is just a simple man, who saw the opportunity to go around the world. He's also SUPER nice. I had to leave earlier than Kevin and his friends because I had other plans the same day. After a few minutes, my brother called and told me they were driving Matt and his friend to the airport! That's super cool! And to thank them, I guess he just gave free shirts away. My brother was awesomeenough to ask for an extra one for me! I love my brotha! Thank you Matt!!!

YEY!!! Coolest shirt ever, and it's free!

Why the hell did I dance with Matt?!

I danced for my family, for my friends, for those who I hated and those who hates me, for peace and forgiveness, for stress and relief, for the blessings and the losses, the pain and the pleasure, for my past, present and future. I danced to let go of the regret and instead be thankful for whatever I've received and will be receiving. I danced for the awesome opportunities ahead. I danced for love. I danced like a lunatic for my 2011, for all the years before it, and for the next 75. I danced for the years after that, just in case I'm still alive. I danced for the adventures and the risks I will be taking. I danced to scare the fear away. I danced as I was grateful for still being grateful in that very moment: Wet, tired and cold but felt very BLESSED. Lastly, I danced for the love of dancing!

Here's a teaser of the 2011 video, starring (from left to right) Chris, JR, Matt the Dancing Man, Moi and Kevin!

"...and BIG FINISH!" - Matt

Matt said the full video, with all his trips from 2011, will be out around March next year. So watch out for our debut!

Check out the Matt links!

MATT'S WEBSITE: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com

MATT'S FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Where-the-Hell-is-Matt/369964540488

To Do: Load up on sunscreen. (I SWEAR, THIS IS A MUST READ!)

2011-12-02T01:02:00.001+08:00

On my way home today from work, I heard this being played on the radio. I was about to change the station but then the music and the words made me curious so I continued to listen.

This is an essay written by Mary Schmich for the Chicago Tribune for the graduating class of 1997. The video was made by Baz Luhrmann in 1999. I highlighted lines I find most interesting, but I like everything she wrote.

Watch / Read on. SHARE. I can't believe I didn't know about this back then. It would have saved me A LOT of trouble and drama.

Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young

Mary Schmich

June 1, 1997

Inside every adult lurks a graduation speaker dying to get out, some world-weary pundit eager to pontificate on life to young people who'd rather be Rollerblading. Most of us, alas, will never be invited to sow our words of wisdom among an audience of caps and gowns, but there's no reason we can't entertain ourselves by composing a Guide to Life for Graduates.

I encourage anyone over 26 to try this and thank you for indulging my attempt.Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Sources:

YouTube Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

Article - http://tinyurl.com/schmich-sunscreen

summer in november

2011-11-29T02:29:00.001+08:00

Models: Elaine, Karla, Gabby

Location: Bagac, Bataan

We love the sun!

NEVER.

2011-11-25T01:49:00.001+08:00

Here's a new song by Jason Mraz. It made me melt like butter on a freshly baked pandesal.

My heart broke and each piece turned into jello when he sang this here in Manila (yes I was there!!! anyway, more on that in a separate post hehe). I tried my best not to cry and succeeded. However, it was not an easy feat with my lips trembling, my hands shaking, and my heart vibrating in my chest. It was that fast - "pounding" is just too slow to describe it. I had to do yoga breathing a.k.a. ujjayi breaths throughout this song to calm myself down. I whispered "Oh Jason, here you go again."

After a few days, I stalked him on the internet trying to find the new songs he sang, the lyrics, etc.. I wanted to check too if he had Tristan with her that night. THEN I found out that they broke up a few months ago. I wanted to throw my laptop out the window because I loved them together. After a few more googling, I found this song and realized how honest it is, how true the lyrics are. I listened to it again while reading the words - he STILL loves her. That was when I shed a tear or two. 

This probably is my new favorite piece from him. However, his version of I'm Yours from that night brought back my love for the song and how good it made me feel. So this one I say is a close second... for now :) 

I recorded a video from the show but because it was such a large venue, and there was so much background noise, I decided not to use it for this post.

ENJOY!

"I Won't Give Up"

Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmm ...

When I look into your eyes

It's like watching the night sky

Or a beautiful sunrise

So much they hold

And just like them old stars

I see that you've come so far

To be right where you are

How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space

To do some navigating

I'll be here patiently waiting

To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn

Some even fall to the earth

We got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily

I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use

The tools, the skills we've got yeah we got a lot at stake

And in the end, you're still my friend at least we didn't tend

For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn

We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in

I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not

And who I am

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get rough

I'm giving you all my love

I'm still looking up

So easy is our life

What's mine is yours and yours mine

Hardly do we ever fight

We'd rather be kind

I won't give up on us

Even if the skies get dark

I'm healing this broken heart

And I know I'm worth it

I won't give up on us

God knows I'm tough, I am love

We got a lot to learn

God knows we're worth it

No I won't give up on us

God knows I've had enough

We got a lot to learn

And we're, and we're worth it

No I won't give up

No I won't give up 

ARGH! I WANT THEM BACK TOGETHER!!!!

www.jasonmraz.com

grateFULL!

2011-11-25T01:15:00.001+08:00

I'm constantly thankful for every second of every day, for every morsel of anything and everything around me.

I'm grateful for the wins and the bad luck, for the successes and failures, for the woohoos! and boohoos.

I'm grateful for both ends of the rainbow, for the rain that brought it, and the smile it gave.

I am grateful that I am truly blessed, that I could have just gotten enough, but been given so much more than what I need to survive.

I am grateful that I wake up in the morning on a bed and not on the streets, in a room and not under a bridge, with blanket and not with a piece newspaper for warmth.

I am grateful for my family, friends and enemies, although I'd prefer not to have the last one. :)

I am grateful for all these blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble!

So you... what are you grateful for?

Woobi Woo... NAAAT!

2011-10-12T03:54:00.001+08:00

from my sister-in-surf Chie De Leon's birthday @ Izakaya <3. white shirt. shorts. pumps. main accessory: RED LIPS.

I love my red lipstick by... nope, not MAC. I'd love to have one, but I don't think I'm willing to pay that much... Hello, have you met Karla Kurips?

with my boys and Chie the birthday girl <3

The story:

I remember buying it because I needed red lips stat for a night out with friends. I walked in a drugstore, searched for the cheapest and reddest red lipstick I could find, grabbed it and rushed to the cashier. I didn't even bother looking at the brand. After months of using it, it was until someone asked me "Is that MAC's Ruby Woo?". It was then I realized I didn't know. I could have grabbed rash ointment accidentally and been putting it on my mouth for months. So when I got home, I check it out and saw it's Ever Bilena's Love That Red. Yes. EVER BILENA. I used to hate their stuff because I'd always breakout. Thank God lips don't have pores (hmmm, right?) I believe it's a local brand so that's a good thing too (Pinoys rule OYE!) --- waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than it's well-known counterpart in the "pang-mayaman" range of makeup. Karaniwang tao lamang po. Patawad.

MAC's Ruby Woo - approximately 15 USD


Love That Red by Ever Bilena. Approximately 6 USD

*unedited

off-topic: Check out my original Raven Slapwatch!
I love it so much I have 2 more in orange and white ! haha!
For those in the PH, get yours here.

Price? If I remember correctly it won't go beyond 250 Pesos (around 6 USD). Compared to Ruby Woo that goes for around 15 USD, this is a STEAL!

Does it stay as long? I won't know, I don't own a Ruby Woo hehe. What I can say is it stays on until that much needed bathroom break when you're out anyway.

Leaves your lips dry? Well, majority of anything matte has a tendency to do that. What I do is put on any lip balm or lip gloss first. After a few minutes when my lips "absorbed" the balm/gloss (ok fine, when I ate enough of it off my lips), I then apply the red lipstick. At least for me that does the job :)

Look at how much my red lips stand out of this photo! with my cheerleader friends :)

My take - If you have the money to spend, go ahead and get MAC. I just don't use red that much so I don't feel the need to get the expensive brand. Makeup expires too, so getting the cheaper version won't make me feel guilty throwing it out when the label says lifeforms will start to emerge and the lipstick is about to literally walk away from me.

So take your pick! If you are a Ruby Woo user and finds yourself feel happier with Ever Bilena, I accept donations! (ok...now I just realized how gross that is. d'oh!)

In this very moment I'm (going to be) King?! - 16.8km Adidas KOTR Triple P

2011-09-30T00:19:00.001+08:00

a.k.a. Proof of Peer Pressure

This is to prove that I did sign up to run a 16.8k marathon. I felt like posting this so the truth hits me faster, and repeatedly from all directions until October 23. I really need to train and start eating better.

Most expensive race I joined, to date.

I'm confident... confident that my legs will start detaching themselves and run away from me in protest of the abuse I will be subjecting them to for this.

Why the worry?

It will be a challenge since I'm used to running the 10-kilometer race category in every event. From the last one, (Run United 2) I can remember cursing silently at every guy that would run past me... and at every guy that would suddenly stop right in front of me when I'd be in the zone a.k.a. "nakakasira ng MONUMENTUM". I've been consistent in breaking my own record every time I join a marathon, but the 10th kilometer I find is where the fight-or-flee dilemma starts to creep its way in my head.

Karla: "Okay, that was 9km already. Pwede na yan."

Karla: "That's 1 more kilometer. You PAID FOR THIS"

Karla: "What's the point of finishing this anyway? You know you're not the fastest in this one, look at all the people in front of you. There will be another one so don't worry, wala ka naman sa Olympics. Sponsored ka?!"

Karla: "Hey, nakakaturn-off ka. Sayang that cute guy! Run after him!"
Karla: "Di ka papansinin niyan, have you seen yourself? Ahem, smelled yourself? Amoy araw ka na. No matter what you do, turned off na siya sa'yo"

...and a lot more thoughts to entertain myself until I get to the finish line. Apparently, this strategy works - I distract myself by thinking too much, then I'd just be surprised I'm done!

One thing I'm proud of from all the 10km races I joined - I continued to PUSH. No matter what.

But will I last for 6.8km more?! We shall see!

I also intentionally signed up for the "For All Nationality" category. I want to know how well (naks positive) I'll do against foreign runners. Don't worry friends. I'll try my best to represent the short-legged girls of the P to the INAS...


From RunRio's Run United 2 (Aug 25, 2011). Notice the slightly enlarged nostrils, as I try to make it seem effortless.

Hey you have to appreciate... we work twice as hard, for the same distance, you know? :)

http://adidaskingoftheroad.com/ph/index.php

konichiwa! (Makeup and Lightroom fun...again)

2011-09-24T21:35:00.000+08:00

Natural High

Another bonding moment with my red lipstick, eyeliner... and Lightroom!

I tried to connect with my inner geisha.

ARIGATO!

patched up

2011-09-24T18:15:00.004+08:00


Sass and Bide

Darna Who?! - Aiana Lontok and Her Famous Elbow

2011-09-19T02:32:00.001+08:00

...OF DEATH. 

(Enter scary/suspense music. Jen jen jen JEEEEN...)
c/o Anya Ong hahaha! 

*had to edit the caption of the 3rd photo, with corrections from Aiana herself* 

A re-post (and more) of my "investigation" on what happened to Aiana Lontok of the DLSU Animo Squad, in last Saturday's UAAP Cheerdance Competition. I may not have all the details, I only watched the routine online and talked to a couple of people who were there in Araneta :

"i watched the video on over and over again, i think I saw where it happened. yung all girls nag frontwalk and 1 collapsed (3:06)--was that Aiana ? i tried following her in the video (i think that was her na di na nagtumble in some parts of the routine after that accident). completely understandable because hello?? dislocated joint/s??!

the transition to scorpions (4:50-5:05). did a one-hand cartwheel instead of a frontwalk - Bilis lang lang mag-isip right!? then when she was she was spotting Iya, she held her arm pero todo spot talaga siya and focus! if it was me, baka umiiyak na ko sa side with my lagundi leaves as tissue! i ♥ it!

(talagang inimbistigahan ba? haha!) Congrats again everyone. I'm still high, but i can only imagine the current team- lagpas milkyway sa saya. WOOOT!"

Why this girl is AWESOMAZING:

1. She dislocated her elbow (at first we thought it was her shoulder) after about 2 minutes into the routine

2. She pushed through the whole freakin' performance - spotted, caught, tumbled, flew. She could have stepped out and nursed her arm the rest of the time, but NO. She finished the whole thing - Halimaw lang.

If you can't imagine how a dislocated limb works... well, it doesn't. Basically that limb would just flail around, like a dead plant. I don't know how she managed to make IT work. super awesome.

3. People are calling her a "hero" because if she had given up, the team wouldn't have placed, as a lot of stunts wouldn't hit without her.


This was supposed to be the double cupie. she went up but dismounted early. (4:31-4:42 of the video above) Photo by Adi Bontuyan Aiana's xray (taken by her sister)

Aiana's on your left-hand side. OMG. Hello elbow!!!and I think this is one of the 2-2-1 pyramids where she had to catch the top most flyer...with THAT arm. 

5:30 - 5:46 in the video: Im GUESSING this pyramid is the one on your left-hand side too, so see what are the transition moves Aiana had to do - Shoulder sit, POP to shoulder stand (yes, weight on elbow!), CAUGHT the top flyer and popped off. After that I couldn't see her anymore in the video. She worked through the injury THAT well. RESPECT.
OK so i confirmed it with the hero herself :) this is a photo of the transition to the double cupie, not the pyramid. STILL. For you to get up to this position? A flyer needs to push herself up, using her arms, against the arms of her base/bases. 

Aiana confirmed that after this she went to the back of the pyramid and decided to spot instead of doing the backwalk in front of it. Great thinking!! If she pushed with her tumbling passes, she would have collapsed over and over. After that I couldn't see her anymore in the video.She worked through the injury THAT well. Still, RESPECT.

Photo by Adi Bontuyan 

The team got in the top 3 (1st runner up)out of 8 universities. This barrier in the competition is pretty hard to break, and just getting 3rd place would be such an accomplishment already. The last time the squad got in the top 3 was in 1998 - a pretty long drought! The highest place the team ever reached since that was 4th, back in 2005 (the last competition for me since I graduated the following year already). As one of the alumni supporters, this is just a great feat and we are so proud!

Sabi ko nga, "...superhero talaga. walang sinabi si darna, na may assistant pang Ding para sa bato. Si Aiana MISMO ang bato! Lakas!"

From her interview with Inquirer-

“I can’t disregard the effort that the team gave just to protect myself,” she told the Inquirer. “I’ll do it all over again for my team. We worked really hard every day and [we] literally [shed] blood, sweat and tears.”

“Cheerleading is considered as a sport and I know that every squad trains as hard as the athletes from other sports—sometimes even harder,” she said. “The UAAP should count us to make cheerdancers feel as important as the other athletes.”

“I did not want to let my family and my team down. I did not want to give up.”

(Full article here)

For other team sports, like basketball for example - a dislocated ANYTHING means you sit down and not play. Someone else will be there to substitute, the game goes on. In cheerleading: NONE. Either you do it NOW and win, or you stop and wait another year to compete, wasting ALL the hours and efforts you and your team put in that single routine.

I bet if Narda - the regular, superpower-deficient girl - dislocated her elbow, she wouldn't have been even able to pick up the "bato" , put it in her mouth to swallow and scream "Darna!". She'll just scream... IN PAIN.

Here's a BETTER view of Aiana with her struggle against the Elbow of Death . Try to follow her throughout the routine from the first frontwalk at 2:31.

2:31 - 1st Frontwalk from hell. Aiana's the last girl on the left-most line of girls. She did not stop, even for a second.

2:39 - 2nd Frontwalk, and HELLO ELBOW

2:45 - She didn't do the back handspring anymore.

2:50 - Did a cartwheel on a guy. Imagine "hugging" someone as tight as you can with an injured arm. She walks over to the next blocking holding it. I can only imagine the pain!

3:02 - She front spots and CATCHES the flyer from the toss. OMG. She still did that? seriously? She even made sure the flyer dismounted properly.

3:34 - dance sequence with props. She's the last girl at the back, left-hand side. She was swinging the bolo and shield still? IDOL.

3:56 - DOUBLE freakin CUPIE. she got up but dismounted early. Completely acceptable. I can't even believe she was able to get up there! Then they headed to another dance sequence.. with those bolos... turning and swinging of dislocated elbow... I CRINGE.

4:13-4:17 - Running one-hand cartwheel, left-most. This was supposed to be a running frontwalk based on the other girls in the same line as Aiana. Watch her hold her arm before taking off, and after while she's spotting. She's STILL SO READY to catch in case the flyer (Iya) falls. What?!?!?!

Ok after that I lost her.

Feel free to comment, I might be wrong in what I saw from the videos. I can't see all their faces! Would appreciate it if you can correct me, and I'll be happy to edit this post :)

TAPANG. PUSO. ANIMO.

Kudos to you Aiana and congratulations to the DLSU Animo Squad! WOOOHOOOO!!!

Photos: Adi Bontuyan- www.goarchers.com / http://www.facebook.com/adibontuyan

April Lontok

birthday suit

2011-09-13T09:07:00.003+08:00

Two choices I had for my birthday salubong last Saturday. I love both but I had to control myself from buying both. haha! In the end, I chose the blue one - Classy and easy to run around in. Thanks to my senior sisters in the DLSU Pep Squad for being my shopping buddies via BBM. I love you guys!

Dresses from Una Rosa (di ako sponsored okay? hehe It's a new brand for me and I fell in love the minute I stepped in the store!)

Neckline bead work :)

*Although I still want the orange dress :)

Accessories c/o Greenhills Tiangge :)... all I lost during the party because I kept on dancing and jumping around :( Thank God they are tiangge stuff! To the Pep Girls - Thanks again!

Cheer Here, Dance There..We'll be EVERYWHERE!

2011-09-06T00:48:00.000+08:00

In just a few short weeks, the NCC will be going around the country again, looking for the best of the best in cheerleading and dance! I'll be coaching during the camps, then judging during the competitions. I'm excited!!! Although we do this every year, this season is going to be BIGGER! Why? We added more Regionals and a new division = more teams = MORE FUN! And some of the places where we will hold the Regional Qualifiers I haven't been to, so it'll be another adventure for me and the rest of the coaches too!

I'm looking forward to sharing about each leg, so watch out for my posts! I'll try to record the performances and post them in my Youtube channel and in this blog (so subscribe!)

Here's the event calendar for the season, we have 9 regional legs planned! Whew! I can't wait to see old and new campers, coaches and competitors. :)

*See the new logo for NDC - National Dance Championship? I LOVE IT! 

Check out our website: www.nccphilippines.com for more details and updates, plus how to inquire for camps!

Like, follow or subscribe to the NCC and NDC Social Networking sites and be in the know!

Facebook:

National Cheerleading Championship Facebook Page 

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Twitter:

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Slow Down. Yoga Addict Crossing.

2011-09-04T21:15:00.000+08:00

...after finishing my 10k in the Run United 2 event last August 21, 2011. 

I just wanted to share this photo. :)

Ugly form here though, my arms are not so bent. Plus the vaseline and sweat on my arms and legs made it extra hard to hold the pose long enough for a photo. I had to do it over and over again!

But I still love it! How many people can say they did yoga on a street in Fort Bonifacio? I'd like to believe just one... ME!

Actually I went straight to the gym after eating breakfast with my running buddies for yoga class. Running + Yoga = perfect combination <3

Anyway, I think here is a more successful attempt, at the parking lot... Maybe the comfort of having non-moving vehicles around helped me in finding my balance and concentrate better. :)

I'll be doing a post on my love for running too... soon!

Going Gaga Over Yoga (and Adam...rarrrrr)

2011-09-03T21:56:00.000+08:00

It's not only for the physical benefits of it, but the practice is a great venue for me to have "silence". The busyness of my every waking moment started to take it's toll that I had to have quiet time for me, away from the world and MYSELF! I am very hyper, but definitely the frequent brain farts are more exhausting (yes, I am suffering from brain gas). Yoga has helped me sit down still for more than 5 minutes with a blank mind - UBER RELAX MODE ON! The instructor would say just focus on your breath and think of nothing else... and after "consciously breathing", everything shuts down and I'd be in almost-total silence and stillness. I love that. Somehow it gives a feeling of peace and freedom even if I was in a super hot room, with others sweating all over their mats...some too much, there are pools of sweat crawling toward mine! ka.di.re. However, it would be super fine if the sweaty dude is Adam Levine doing cobras and chaturangas beside me... Nope, no complaints here!

A video I found of Adam doing yoga.

And the fruits of his labor...

BACK TO YOGA...

Addicted. I realized that I am during another sleepless night working on deadlines for my job (ugh). Just see below one of the many videos of me at 3 or 4 in the morning doing Asanas (poses) I learned from my classes and Youtube.

Astavakrasana (Eight-Angle pose)
To see what this is supposed to look like, click here.

I decided to start recording so I can review, practice and improve. This is how I get through the erratic insomnia attacks - a crazier alternative to staring at the ceiling waiting for a lizard to eat the annoying mosquito I named Suckah.

Here I am with my best attempt to do a Peacock, one of the very advanced arm balancing poses:

Calling out to the real, the professional yogis out there... help?!

Namaste.

where the heart is

2011-08-29T18:24:00.004+08:00

DLSU-ADMU 2nd Round Halftime Season 74

August 28, 2011 - Araneta Coliseum

Watch in Youtube

>--------->

Good  to be back on the hard court. I was only able to practice once, the  uniform I borrowed didn't fit me, and one of my pompons started falling  apart minutes before the performance... but the show must go on, for the love of La Salle!

In the end, we lost (BOO!) but it's all good. It's  always awesome seeing old friends and feel (ahem, also act) like kids, when our biggest problem was how to pass an exam or  how to submit a paper on time; when it's not so bad to fail - there's always next term. In the "real world", it's a completely different story!

Thank you current members for letting the "grandmas and grandpas" perform with you. Animo!

Off-court photos from my camera:

we love DLSU!

with Chie

Alumni girls in the stands

waiting to perform

Some of the photos from Andrew Pamorada:

Powerbeat ending. Go girls!

haha!

Some of the photos from Daniel Kenerick Koo:

Go Pam!

I started a joke.

2011-08-29T14:17:00.000+08:00

I honestly scared myself while editing these photos.

Halloween preview?

CREEPY!!!

breakfast of champions

2011-06-23T23:14:00.000+08:00

red velvet

2011-06-23T23:06:00.001+08:00

I wore red lipstick to a dinner with friends and I decided to not let it go to waste. :)

inner heater

2011-06-21T02:57:00.000+08:00

Whenever it's pouring outside, photos and outfits like these make me feel so warm and happy inside :)

Walk of Fame Beach Ready Tee, Billabong

Artist printed dress, Billabong

mini market for roxy-heart

Swim in One, Billabong

http://billabong.com

http://www.roxy-heart.com/

Other cool stuff from Roxy and Billabong:

IF YOU ALWAYS TAKE CABS, PLEASE READ THIS.

2011-06-21T00:11:00.001+08:00

This is a true-to-life story, because this happened to me.. just a few hours ago!

*Sharing this to warn everyone of the evil schemes of cab drivers! I HATE CABS!!! They apparently have a switch or button hidden somewhere in front to unlock the doors - not the usual ones we can see on the doors. Be alert ALL THE TIME and GET DOWN ASAP if this happens to you too!

When my friend and I got to Cubao from La Union, I asked to be dropped off in Gateway to take a cab home. Due to my numerous bad experiences with taxis, I immediately went through the Cab Riding Checklist in my head right when I got in one: 1 -Lock all doors,check. 2 - Text daddy or anyone the cab details, NONE.

So there's Warning Sign #1.

Trying not to panic (or look like I already was), I moved behind the driver's seat, pulled my cap down, got all my cash from my wallet and phone and put them in my jacket pockets. From EDSA, the cab took a right towards San Juan. Thought Bubble: Dark places, tambays everywhere.

^Warning Sign #2.

Impulse: I took out my house key and held on to it, ready to punch anyone for my dear life. I also started to practice the body combat moves from gym in my head... "Jab, jab, cross. Punch with your whole body for more force and power. Core tight. Shuffle, side-kick. Take the head and use your knees. Arms up then hit with the elbow. Roundhouse!"

In my attempt to calm down my pounding heart, I thought "Okay, so maybe he's trying to get away from traffic... although maybe I should take my camera and wear it around my neck then zip up my jacket to hide it. And yeah, I'll put my back pack underneath, in between my legs." As I was about to do all these, both doors at the back unlocked. So I locked them. Guess what? They effin' unlocked again. There's Warning Sign #3.

Action plan: First, try to stop doors from unlocking para walang resbak si kuya. With my short limbs I reached for the locks on both doors, pressing on them as hard as I can. Both doors kept on unlocking THE WHOLE TIME I was in the cab. I could feel both arms getting sore already trying to hold them down. I could see the driver glancing at the rear view mirror. I looked at both his hands, one was on the wheel, another on the stick. HOW THE F IS HE DOING THIS!? Does he have an extra hand somewhere? (yeah the thought crossed my mind due to panic) His feet? A button or switch somewhere? They have gotten so clever!!!

Now I really needed to go down... Where?! I squeezed out my brain of the safest place in the area. Aha! The San Juan Police Station, and it's just around the corner. I just had to wait a minute or two before going down. Yes, the whole time I was battling with the door locks. Audience was manong driver as he kept on looking at me with the rear view mirror. I didn't want to look worried since he might just step on the gas, I won't be be able to go down at all. To be honest, I was cursing and praying the whole time. When I saw the police station, I said I'll go down already. He asked why, I said " Basta dito na lang." I looked at the meter, paid the guy and hurried inside the station. I wasn't able to look at the plate number or the cab company, I really just wanted to get away from the taxi ASAP. I called my dad to fetch me there.

Please pass. Again friends, make yourself aware of your surroundings. I would always listen to music with my earphones all the time during cab rides. I didn't this time because I was running out of battery already. If I was, I wouldn't have been able to hear the "click" of the doors unlocking. I was lucky I noticed it.

Just a few tips, but I know there are more all of us should know so feel free to add yours:

1. As much as possible, don't ride a cab at all. If need be, don't take one alone especially if you're a girl.

2. Take the plate number and details BEFORE you get in. I didn't do this, so lesson learned for me.

3. Learn self-defense or have something to protect yourself with. I had a key but it would require contact with the criminals - not advisable. Plus, if you're gonna battle with more than one, a key won't really be helpful. This reminded me to buy pepper spray again.

4. Do not listen to your mp3 players in cabs. Better to have your sense of hearing to spot weirdness during the ride.

5. Look at the route the cab is taking. My mom told me I should have given the cab specific directions so he'll not be able to meet up with his kakonchabas. If he suggests another way and gives an excuse that's it's traffic, it's nearer this way, blah blah blah, be firm. I should've done this but I was so tired already it slipped my mind.

6. Worse comes to worst, just give your stuff. They are not worth your own life, so if you find yourself in that sh*t-uation, just let go.

Now I'm home SAFE, WITHOUT LOSING ANYTHING. Still a bit shaken about the whole thing but I feel very grateful :) Hope this serves as a warning to everyone. Feel free to tag your friends or repost.

i'm sunshine

2011-06-08T14:37:00.000+08:00

I received this note from TUT. As always, perfect timing.

I recommend signing up to TUT.COM if you want to get super inspiring smile-boosts like this everyday :)

back to black and overexposed

2011-05-14T11:19:00.000+08:00

i'm in love with lightroom.

time to flip the page

2011-05-04T17:58:00.003+08:00

DONATE A BOOK

While some kids are fortunate enough to buy books to read, some of the less-fortunate kids even struggle to have a reading material.

...This year, give the gift of literacy.

Donate a new or gently used children's book.

Needed: Reference books (encyclopedia, dictionary, atlas, etc.), story books, multimedia reference materials.

Books will be donated to My Library Project of the Filipinas Heritage Foundation, a division of Ayala Foundation, Inc.

The Library donates books monthly to schools, libraries and reading centers that need support in appending their collections. The Library's book donations are for the promotion of the love of reading and learning as well as to aid the Filipino people by providing the materials that they need."

(from the poster)

We are having a book drive in the company I'm working for (IBM).

Do you have any unused book lying around? Donate it! :) PM me so we can arrange meet ups.

DONATION PERIOD: May 2 - May 20, 2011

*wink wink to those still in school or just graduated :)

Thanks everyone!

How to donate via me!

For my friends who read this, here's another reason to meet up so I can collect the books.

For those who are interested to help, send your book donations to the address below. I will gladly receive your packages and confirm receipt here in my blog.

8th Floor 1800 Building, Eastwood City Cyberpark
E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Libis, Quezon City 1110 Philippines

Giving: Unlocking the Heart of Good Stewardship (Pursuing Spiritual Transformation)The Land Before Time III - The Time of Great Giving Giving Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World Giving The 3:16 Promise: He Loves. He Gives. We Believe. We Live.The One Year Book of Hope (One Year Books)Satya Jewelry Hope, Love, & Healing Necklace For Haiti There's No Place Like Hope: A Guide to Beating Cancer in Mind-sized Bites Hope Waits HOPE Divine Designs Matte & Crystal Inspirational Gift Boxed Pendant