Dirty/Pretty Boots

I’m not the heels type of person. I’m more of the boots kinda. Been drooling after those Scorett boots (2nd row, 2nd to the right) since forever. Found something likeit in Zara, the studs are silver tho and I’m still thinking of getting it or not. It’s friggin’ expensive! But I dunno, I might still pine for the Scorett boots even if I have the Zara ones. *Sigh*

I found ou that the design’s copied of from Chloe but I like the Scorett’s version better. More feminine in shape too. WAH.

Studded boots from Chloe.

Scorett boots. =p~

Photos and Info from here and here, without consent! Oops!

I Dressed Up! – Virtually I Mean

For one thing HAH! I wish I was this hot. But I’ve been itching to go out and stuff – I haven’t been out of the house since I got here. Where would I go in this outfit anyway? Regardless I wanted to dress up, but I was too lazy – so I did it virtually )

I like the hair, especially.

My Blah Looklet account here. Fun, it’s like playing with paper dolls but much much better )

What do you want to do today?

Chipped Nails and Roast Potatoes

I had the cutest breakfast today. Yes you got that right – CUTE. I’m not really into the Hello Kitty thing, my sister is though. But the bowl hugger which came free from the cereal was too too cute That was good way to start the day.

However, it wasn’t such a good idea to get a manicure today, well right before preparations for Noche Buena, anyway.

One of the rare times I put nail polish on. See? I’m really not that kind of girl )

I thought it dried long enough. Oh well no complaints really. After I got the manicure kinda sat and read for awhile then Mom came home with the groceries and it was time to help out. I am usually in charge of the carbs/american section of the menu, READ: mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, gravy, etc. So I started chopping and peeling a way, it wasn’t only until the veggies were in the pot.

I believe that Christmas this year is kinda different, for one thing I’m not really feeling the whole fuzzy feeling part, maybe because i just watched the news So many people are suffering and to think this is the “most wonderful time of the year”. But I don’t want to be downer all the same, my prayers go out to the people who are in need of extra love right now.

Specifically in our household, it’s different because we’re all kinda (semi-for me anyway) grown up. We have this ritual see, where we open gifts on New Year’s – good way to start the year and all that. I usually found myself (up until today) that I wasn’t wishing it was the 31st already so I can attack the small pile of gifts for me under the tree. I was too caught up with helping, really helping around the house. I was on mashed potato duty before and that was that, after I refused to lift a finger. HAHA. My brother’s really committing to his cooking now, my sisters are very much in charge of the house and my Mom kinda, KINDA, lets us take the kitchen over while she rests. Of course my Dad is the one who acts as a supervisor

Baby brownie bottoms for baby cakes in the making. Having a chef for a brother is definitely nice. ) Too lazy to upload unrotated photo hee

Our Christmas dinners always had a sphygmomanometer (sige nga, say it out loud) lying around because my Mom would push herself too hard and we need to monitor her blood pressure. It just happened now as she finished preparing the meat On New Year’s we are trully making sure she will not have a chance to lift a finger, by hook or by crook!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas

*Sheens

FArtsy Blah Blahs

I left a lot of things in Manila – as usual. During the holidays me and my siblings haul what can be taken from Manila’s groceries and delicatessens to our small town, by that I mean house. One thing my Dad will not stand for is under prepared food. We like to eat – muffin tops, double chins and happy round faces as proof.

So now I find myself missing my tablet, my pens and my Moleskines! I wanted very much to paint and draw during Christmas when a lot of the warm fuzzy feelings inspire the once-in-a-blue-moon-artist in me.

I found myself looking at my favorite design sites and my fingers were twitching. Argh, aren’t there like out of the blue classes for architecture and art?

Then I stumbled upon cameras – again. I already have a DSLR, my brother and sister upgraded to 50D (or is it 5D now?) and G11 respectively. They left their old 400D with me and I’ve been tinkering with it for a while but what I miss is being able to just point and shoot and taking nice photos of m’self without hyper extending my arm and looking like a rice ball from below the viewpoint of my chin.

Originally I wanted the G11, but my sister has more money than I do so yeah she bought it first. And then I found the S90. Pretty sleek. All it needs is a second tone of silver and I got me a Leica-wannabe camera prospect. (Photo from kimstore.multiply.com)

Birthday present please? I know I kinda got a nice laptop mid this year,but.. Birthday present?

Madcap Recap

My old 2009 planner was supposed to serve as an inspiration for this entry.

I left it.

So here’s to remembering everything that has happened during 2009.

1.) I turned 20 with an expected party in my parents’ house with my hugh school friends. I remember that I didn’t want to get too excited since I was leaving the next day.  And when I got back to Manila, Glenn, my sister Achie Bom and a few of my CADs and L2 friends surprised me. That was a nice way to start the year I think.

2.) Revelations with friends, family and life.

3.) Second sem of Junior ends and I believe I found my footing from a shiftee to a Com major.

4 .) Got to intern for a while in SOFA then got in McCann Erickson for their internship program.

5.) I am officially an aunt to the cutest baby in the world!

5.) SENIOR Year Part 1

- Ondoy

- Thesis / LOA/ Marketing/ Gabriela/ Film-Love

- Bonfire/ Happy Friends/ DOP

6.) SENIOR YEAR PART 2 (1/2)

- Immersion/ Blue Christmas

- First and Last CADs Christmas party as a member / Caroling

7.) Cebuana Love

8.) CADs Girls Love

9.) Guama People – You know who you are:))

10.) Another year together with YOU!

I know I left a lot of the specifics, that’s ok. With a lot of things that has happened in 2009, tragedies, blessings and et cetera – we still have a lot to be thankful for. I have a lot to be thankful for.

I’m thankful for the second takes on friendship and the chance to get to know people, having some opportunities open, finding out a few things about myself and others. I’m very thankful for Glenn and my family. I’m just really thankful – wow, how articulate can you get? The word basically sums it up – so there!

Before the second batch of Christmas-y posts I just wanted to get this out. I am looking forward to 2010 and whatever it may bring.

Some things never change.

When I got in Ateneo, I thought I’d have a second chance. I can not be the kid that gets bullied or made fun of because of having a life and being outspoken (bitter HAHA). But recently I found out that some things never did change.

A friend of mine commented that I liked accessories, I was kinda defensive. I said no, not really. But I did remember before I had a huge ass collection of earring and necklaces that have been neatly tucked away in my Mom’s dresser when I went to college. I think it was because college was a different playing field, to get by there only should be classic pieces until I can trust myself not to dress like a 5 year old gypsy. But I found my self getting into them again, I saw my container just now filled with brooches and rings and things. Hmm, some things never change.

When I was 8, the director of my school in the province, a close friend of my mother’s, called her up and was deeply distressed about something. He found me hiding behind a trash bin, playing hiding seek in my uniform no doubt! My dad just laughed at what my mom told him, I think I was embarrassed a bit. When little girls my age thought they were princesses, I pretended to be a monkey, a rock star, a power ranger and a police woman. I climbed trees, got dirty and played base to base, not chinese garter. Luksong tinik, not jack stones. And then recently I had a shoot with Mark Tiu, kinda became the director all of a sudden, had to look for a nice backdrop for the shots. Scaled walls, jumped around the roofdeck in my frilly top and light grey jeans. Hmm, some things never change.

Had a shoot with my CADs Prod anak, Mark Tiu. He is one of the best and I’m a proud prod momma

More photos after the jump (with my CADs twin Happy T. Click click click!

Shock Me

I was talking to the boyfriend earlier as he drove me home from training. I said, I’d rather do finals in January right after Christmas vacation than do them BEFORE. You know that feeling where everyone’s carefree except you and you have that inclination to just let hell fly on the day of a long test because you don’t care what’ll happen. That’s kinda what I’m thinking right now.

Although, thankfully, my conscience is fighting back. It is my last sem after all, perish the thought that I end it with a ‘Pblfftt’ rather than a ‘BANG!’ and perish the other thought that I suddenly am not eligible for graduation because I was too lazy the week before Christmas vacation.

My thoughts fly back to my hometown imagining my niece enjoying the Christmas lights on the mango tree in our lawn. *Poof* Ok, back to Theology.

I will kick ass this last sem. I will kick ass this last sem. I will kick ass this last sem. I will kick ass this last sem. Mantra care of Nico Atienza

I did this a couple of weeks ago. After immersion I think. That’s when the “let hell fly” attitude sorta kicked in. So that I can go back to work and feel guilty because I attempted to procrastinate

Back to work. Busy week up until the day I go home. Will there be time for Panda tho?

When will your vacation start?

*Sheens

Secret Adventure!

Before I go throw m’self on the piles of readings on my table that are eyeing me angrily, as I have not read them yet, I’d like to get this out first.

I was like a zombie these past few days, Christmas break approaching, blame it – not me. I was so happy Kryz got me into this. Was also Happy to spend the day with Kryz Uy, Gio Gahol and Samantha Huang on the beach! My lips are zipped until TBA (sorry inside joke here) about what exactly in the world we did yesterday from 4AM to 8PM. Was very pumped up with doing something like that. All I can say is I was thankful for being OC yesterday and brought an extra shirt because I was running uphill in the rain, protecting the expensive clothes and ended up getting wet and that my tummy yearns for more tomatoes and fish with balsamic glaze

Photos from Kryz Uy

My whole body was itching to jump in. *Sigh* Getting semi-tanned without going in the water sucked. HAHA

Until the next one!

*Sheens

Warm Fuzzy Feelings

I remembered I posted about a month ago on how every time I get back from Cotabato, the chilly nights in Manila would welcome me back and coincidentally signifies the presence of Christmas. I was expecting that when I got back from my sembreak but I didn’t really feel the Christmas vibes that much.

Yeah I smile when I see my Mom’s decorations in the house and stuff and how romantic Ateneo’s Bel field is when the lights are open at 7 o’clock in the evening but after that there was something missing. Maybe because I am growing older? And I have so-called priorities and responsibilities to worry about? That’s sad really, when you have to face responsibilities regardless of Christmas.

But I did do something that was very fulfilling – I went with the CADsters for caroling last night. I’m supposed to carol on both days but I have to attend a very important dinner, so yeah. I’m wishing I can drop by the McCannites’ Karaoke-fest later, but we’ll see. One thing at a time. ANYWAY, back to caroling. Singing was and has always been very cathartic for me, fun too! I was also very happy to see that the CADsters had another avenue for their talent. Special shout out to Sarah Nolan, Carl THE Flor and Miguel Cu  Goodluck tonight, I hope you guys will have fun like last night!

Just in case you were wondering, we were good! I’m waiting for the video to be shareable so I have proof!

Folder Boy, Scarf Gay and Tambourine Man!

Thank you to Cooky’s house for nomnom Tuna ala King!

Caroling photos from Cooky Araneta :)

So I was really happy that I got to sing again. And it did help with bumping the Christmas vibes up a notch. It’s that time of year where you can not help but feel the cheer, I’m just taking a little bit longer. Ehe :3 Now to see if I have enough dough to buy/make presents for 7 family members, CADs, L2 and my Manangs and Manongs at school

You guys finished with your shopping lists?

*Sheens

Canonball Down to the Waters

In case you didn’t know (my imaginary audience) I went on Ateneo’s Praxis immersion program last weekend from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon.

Basically and immersion program is where you visit a community and live with them for an amount of time to experience first hand how they go about on living. I, along with my blockmate Nic and others, chose to go to the farmer’s sector in Lubao, Pampanga. Sta. Cruz, Palcarangan to be exact.

Before the trip itself I’ve gone though with workshops and seminars and heard people have their say about what happens in immersion. I was pretty excited at first but some things got to me. Like for example that irrational fear that you’re to be harassed, my sisters advised me to always wear pants while sleeping, keep the flashlight near and be wary. Others said I had to be mindful about the water, the food and the culture. And I was only going with Nic, my blockmate. What if I didnt get along with the others?

My immersion groupmates and our formator on our last day. Thankfully all of us got along very well

My head was swimming with all of those things plus the formal orientation’s do’s and don’ts. I didn’t know if I really wanted to go then. My formator, Cricket asked my immersion group if there were those who are afraid of the immersion. People were quiet as I mentally raised my hand. And again he asked if we were excited. Again, people were quiet and I mentally raised my hand. Even though with the short session of telepathic charades, he was able to sum it up in a very obvious assumption of what I felt (I don’t know about the others). He said. “So you guys are in feeling fear and excitement and all the things in between?” Yup, very much so.

It’s very hard not to be taken with the site of Sta Cruz. Photo by Nic Gasparillo.

I was afraid because it was an unknown place, but I should have guessed that all of my fears would have gone when I arrived because I am a probinsyana after all, I have to toughen up a little bit for chrissake! I came from a place where people were simple and living was simple. I being paranoid for nothing. At the unholy hour of 5:30 in the morning, we were already at the bus station waiting for the bus to Pampanga. It was the very first time I’ve ridden a bus here in the Philippines. Hong Kong doesn’t count. We arrived around 8pm and were brief by the members of the kasamahan about agriculture and farming in Sta Cruz. To say that they were from the “organization” kinda sounds impersonal. These people are very close to each other, if you aren’t technically in their family they will treat you as one. I was paired up with Camille and it was nice to see that all of us including our immersion groupmates formed an easy bond despite some, including me, who have just learned each other’s names when the meeting was done.

“Nakahuli ka ng bagets!” – Tatay Boy

Camille (my housemate) and I were introduced to our Nanay Nora and our younger sister Lek-Lek. Our dad’s name is Fernando and we have 2 other sisters Anne and Riza plus a brother named Onyok. I actually miss them. They were very nice and they welcomed us into to their homes as more than just visiters but as family. I imagine little Lek-Lek is asking nanay for food right now. She really likes to eat )

Camille and I with our foster family. They told me my foster sister Anne (3rd from left) and I look alike. Cool beans! Although, Lek-Lek, the youngest had a tummy ache before we left for Manila.

We just spent the day talking with them and helped them out as much as we could. Nanay Nora is really self sufficient. Sometimes Camille and I had to sneak out to get the water or bring the plates on the table because Nanay likes to do things by herself. We did a lot of things actually with regards to their line of work. Tatay Boy, the head of the organization, told us that we were the only immersion group to have done/ experienced everything. From trimming the pilapil, using the hand tractor, planting and harvesting – to riding a carabao!

With immersion mates again, after planting rice and waiting to ride on the carabao!

I wondered then if our visits were a hassle to them. They handle internal and external factors in agriculture, from the pests that may kill their crops, the trade marker’s unfair pricing and government officials who unceremoniously dump on their paddies a month before harvest time and it seems like our visits slow them down. Tatay Eddie said they welcome us so that they can educate us on what they’re going through and they’re happy to know that there are people willing to lend a hand.

I am thankful for the experience, hopefully this feeling will be here to stay. I will try my very best to be adamant about my foster family’s plight. People expect that this feeling will wade, the pull to help out and give whatever I can since it’s only been a week. My foster mother teased that we might forget them once we’re back here in Manila. I highly doubt that though. It was really cool how all of us got a long and formed some sort of bond. I hope my parents will let me go back to their festival on May 3. I wish to see the the people of Sta. Cruz again soon.

Photos by Nic Gasparillo and Camille Grantoza