Slider

Here in my room

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Before:



Now:

I decided to transfer my red hearts cut-outs from my walls to my door. :-) I'll take a flying-kiss pose here soon! I think this paper cut-out wall art thing (inspired by colormekatie.blogspot.com) looks prettier on white background! :)

I also moved the rainbow raindrops to the other side of the door (my room side). :-) Looks like it's going to flood today! ;p

What I placed in my walls are magazine cutouts, certificates I got from speaking engagements, magazine features of my online shop, etc. :)

Like a huge mood-board or collage! :) I'd like to fill the other spaces more, not near my "headboard" though, as the raindrops pre-this-design got crumpled when I place my pillow on them! :D 

I also (finally!) opened these pillows Ana gave to me as birthday present :) It stayed in the plastic for months, I am so excited to sleep tonight with new pillows!

I took this pic with my hand-mirror, which lies on my bedside. I wanted to post a photo of the hat (which I sell in my site) when worn...so no choice! Other than that, I also tried on my lipstick. It was an old purchase, but I haven't caught the courage of wearing bold lip colors when going out! :p Maybe this weekend!

While doing my "wall paper" thing, I also tried fixing up my messy room. I stumbled upon this big scrapbook that I was supposed to fill up with SUMMER 2009 memories...but laziness won and it's still empty. ;p I tore the first page, and decided to use this as a journal while I can't afford a Moleskin (yet) hehe! :) So excited, I kind of missed offline diary writing. :)

I was surfing the net awhile ago here in my computer, when I received a thank you text from my buyer who received her package which was shipped yesterday. I told her I really really appreciate her text..and got this reply. :) I have this trauma of receiving only bad news or business booboos, receiving warm messages like this...I sincerely say this made my day!!!

Can't wait to sleep in my redecorated room. :) My sisters were here awhile ago as we viewed my dad's new facebook page (akk! haha!) and stalked online stuff like the soon-to-open Forever21 here in Manila! Cea felt hungry, so I told her we go bring snacks up here in my room--the only bedroom where food and drinks are allowed in this house! ;) Haha! I am not too strict with these things, I actually love the camaraderie that forms when you bring in food for everyone! =) <3 

ristras: a new mexican dining experience

Tuesday, June 29, 2010







Here's what Geo, Gillian and I ate after watching the play Legally Blonde and visiting Fred's bakeshop. This new found place is Ristras Mexican Grill, which is located in San Juan. I am in love with Mexican food for its variety of flavors and for offering vegetarian-friendly dishes, that's why I was thrilled when Geo suggested we try out this place. Geo loves taking me to different indie restaurants, especially those with vegetarian delicacies. The sisters ordered the HUGE chicken burrito, while I had the vegetarian chimichanga--which the waiter explained as also a burrito but fried. Since their serving is to-share, I have to have my order sliced--the other half for take home. Geo also treated us with the chips and cheese quesadillas. I enjoy their salsa and sour cream dips the most: really mouthwatering! :p Though the bill is quite heavy on the pocket (the chimichanga is P290 ($6.45)), while Geo and her sister paid around P800 ($17.77)...their serving size is also heavy that our tummies were full when we left the place! I guess it's best to go there by group since their serving size is big! :)

4S Reunion




The 4S (our section) reunion with barely half the class attended was still a success (we were 12 by the end of the day). :) The "Saturday Lunch" schedule won amongst the three choices they posted online, and we all met up in Greenbelt Makati's Krokodile for affordable-group-food Pinoy dishes. When I entered the place with Ana and Ange--whom we saw while walking to the venue!--and I waved at my former physics teacher! She was known as being the "terror" teacher in highschool for being in charge also of student formation and discipline (hello violations and confiscated ID! :D)...but my class adores her! :) More stories on this day IN THIS POST. :-)


Posted about this event again since I saw a whole body shot of my outfit for the day ^^ , thanks to the post of my friend Alli. :) As said in previous post, I bought the oversized pink top from a department store, then wore a bronze pocket-watch necklace I had in my yellow hand bag. I actually used this very same bag on the last 4S reunion, but Ana said, who will notice? :D Actually, some thought the bag is new! :) Wore my black skinny jeans cropped by folding the edges, and a black clogs from my aunt (freebies are love!). =)

I can't wait till the next get-together. My physics teacher did not recognized me at first glance, plus some of my classmates told me I lost weight, which I think I'll take positively: that I've been taking care of myself more now. :) I also realized that I now speak more (I think) than when I was in high school..when I was painfully more passive and shy. Although still ms. introvert, I think being a journalism student in college thought me to be curious with other people, I ask them so many questions! I also made sure I sat next to people I haven't seen for the longest time (mrs. f, ange, judie and ate virgi!). I want to sincerely know what they're up to now! :) And we did had a good laugh too!

Why do movies/tv shows hate reunions again? I just can't get enough of old-time friends! :)

The two Anas sandwiching Mrs. F! :) Senior High school photo! :D

4S in Retro Costume. That was me in front, second from last (with the guitar) :) :)

Over-loaded Weekend!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Here's what I twitted awhile ago (other than the international/domestic seat-sale again): "in my line of "work" dapat weekends ata ako asa house since lahat ng tao dun nag oonline and nagshoshop hahaha! :D tambak ng irereply today!"
(In my line of "work" I should spend my weekends at home since people are more free to go online and online shop on these days! I have so much to reply today!)


I realized this after opening my email and Multiply online shop account...I have tons of inquiries and order forms to reply to! :p But even with these, I have to say that this busy-weekend was a blast! Here's what kept me away from the computer from Friday to Sunday! :-)

Friday



Call time for the Blogging Seminar that I was invited to in La Salle was around 10am. I arrived too-much-on-time (no allowance, how unprofessional noh? haha!), and after several problems with strict guards and visitors' entrance policies of the school, we entered the room and the first speaker was almost finished with his talk.

I actually had a great time speaking in front of the Writers' Guild, which I noticed is actually a room-majority-filled with boys! Haha! I thought I'll be intimidated to talk, although I spent ample time night-before in practicing with my Power Point...because I express myself better in writing than speaking in English. =p They're reallyreally nice. =) Made me fall in love with La Salle more, hahaha!

What I talked about:
You are a writer.
My story on how I became a "private" writer (first diary), then a published writer, then a blogger.
Tips on blogging
- Choosing your address and what blog-provider to use + a few tips on website design/look
- Different famous bloggers
- How to get your blog out there
Content is King
- Importance of blogging/writing everyday about things you are familiar with
- Pointers on blogging so people will read your post
- What to blog when there's nothing to blog
There's always a story to tell.


It all starts with what you believe in. Tell yourself, and then out-loud! I'm a writer! hehe!

My first diary. Writing is a way of story-telling.

Ambition: To be a writer. From my high school yearbook!

Had lunch with some of them afterwards in their school canteen, which is cool. I got to talk to them more, and even asked for feedbacks. I haven't eaten in a cafeteria filled with youngsters--foods all affordable, plus the chitchats! It's always noisy in a school, which for me is fun! Some photos I took + some photos I got from DLSU Writers' Guild Facebook =)

Will I pass as a teacher?
I actually chose to wear a jersey green top, floral blazer if classroom is supercold (turned out that it was!), black skinny jeans folded, black clogs. =) = The Teacher Look. Haha!

With my fellow speaker.

The group!

I got these: A La Salle mug, Writers' Guild pin, and a certificate. =)


Saturday
I slept over Friday night at Ana's, and just bought a new top in the department store (hahaha) for Saturday lunch get-together with my classmates in high school! Ana and I had a great laugh night before, and listed stuff we wanted to try like new food places to visit! We also watched MJ's This Is It in HBO. Has it been a year since the great Michael Jackson passed away? =/

Also found out in my facebook that my styling stint story was already published! :)

I wasn't able to get a copy though, I was too busy last Friday and wasn't able to drop by a newstand. =/

Anyway, only a few were able to attend the reunion in Greenbelt, but I had a blast hanging out again with these people! Mrs Ferrer our physics teacher, the subject that gave me a taste of having line of 7 in my report card haha, was also there! She was super funny, and she looks the same physically--never got old! I love it that she has this strict/scary image in school since she's also in charge of student formation and discipline---but still, our class fell in love with her. =) She was nice to us, and she said in our reunion: "Kasi magaling kayo."

One time while having our lunch in Krokodile, I got a call from my shipping service Xend while Mrs. F was telling a funny story. I turned away from Mrs. F, and she was slapping my back the whole time while laughing at her punchlines! :D It was super cool and funny! It's also sweet that our former teacher paid for our lunch bill, in exchange, I treated her in our next stop which is a coffee/dessert place. =)

Attendance! Lunch with Judie (now a hotel owner!), Ana Ennuh, Alli Eli, Monsky, Geo (Ms. Politics), Tamems, Mrs. F!, Ange, Ate Virgi (doctor!)

I love Mrs. F! I thought she wasn't going to make it that day, good thing I checked Facebook that morning and saw her reply, I left my number right away so she'll have contact with one of us! :-)

Shared dessert with Mrs. F! :)

More catching up outdoor!--for coffee break! 
Now with Chickie and Diana--both came from work.

Sunday

Although tired, I woke up early Sunday morning to go to mass and The Feast with my family. I missed out on these last week--I could not afford missing out again this week! Here's a lesson from Bro. Arun:

As said in a text-quote before, a minute of sadness is ok, but hours of this is already self-inflicted. Acknowledge even the negative emotions, lift them all up to Him. And then choose to be happy instead! :)

Afterwards, I went ahead to Shang for lunch (me-time :))...then rode a cab to Meralco Theater for the Legally Blonde musical my high school friend Mitch organized with her sorority sisters. =) Watched with Geo and her sister Gillian. 

The play was super cute! Starred by local celebrities like Nikki Gil, Nyoy Volante, Genieva Cruz and Guji Lorenzana--their stage presence is really awesome. The other actors were great too! Geo and I raved Nikki Gil's crystal-clear voice afterwards! :) And she's so thin in person!

But I guess what I enjoyed most that I went to this event, although a Sunday (rest day), was Mitch super appreciated my efforts and support to her events. I realized that I also attended the fund-raising party her sorority organized way back. I really like the feeling of "being there". I hope I can keep up (financially) with being the supportive-friend that I want to be. It's the goal in life! ;-) Hehe! :)

With the girls! :-) Geo and Mitch!

I wore the floral jumpsuit I wore in one of my first entries here in blogger! Tied the edges to make it appear as harem-style this time, and wore it with thick black belt, black small sling bag, and black clogs! :-) (too bad I dont have full body shot for this ensemble =p)





Before dinner, Geo, Gillian and I dropped by Geo's boyfriend's newly opened bakeshop! :-) Geo is super proud that I have to get some breads for my self! :) The set up was really cool, and Fred is a really cool baker, I know this business will be a success! :-)


Under house arrest today to catch up with my clients and my business! :) Replying on emails and web inquiries while still daydreaming of expressing myself through styling-blogging, cool theater plays, freshly baked breads, and hours&hours&hours of hangout with my high school family. =)
This is so going down as one of my favorite weekends! :)

Blogging Seminar

Thursday, June 24, 2010


When my constant-Anagon Collection buyer Megann texted me about a blogging seminar, I was soooo thrilled! I really wanted to attend one, and listen to speakers' tips on blogging. But then she actually invited me as a SPEAKER! :D

I thought June 25 is still far, but then I realized that days do fly so fast, and tomorrow is THE day already! I don't know what topics or stories to talk about in this speaking engagement, especially when I just read a twit from a famous local writer/editor that "Note to writers: It's usually a good thing to not talk about yourself in your article. You're not as important as you probably think you are"

"And I say that as a reader, not an editor."


In my past speaking engagements--but as a Young Entrepreneur or as online seller(!!!), I LOVE to share my experiences. Sometimes, I speak too much of details, hoping people will be inspired. I am afraid I might bore people tomorrow, so I guess I have to make my "speech" 50/50: half stories, half tips. Or if possible, 1/4 stories, 3/4s tips! =D


The past days when I go to bed and do that "thinking-things-through-before-sleeping" thing, I actually tried to recall the speakers who talked too much of themselves, did it interest me as a viewer? What speeches or seminars made my mind roam somewhere else because the topic is interesting, the speaker is not? Also, of course, I recalled the best lectures or the talks I had been to..those that made the mark right here ---> <3. Haha!

But anyway, isn't it that blogging is all about sharing (and sometimes, over-sharing!) ones own life and stories? ;p That's why I find blogs interesting, when I get to know others based on what they post! :) Maybe this is an exception! :-) I am so nervous (yet excited too!) for tomorrow, hope I wouldn't bore people to-death for an hour! Any tips of what I should tackle??? :-) 


PS: I love the poster they made for this! :) Thanks Megann! It's super creative!
PPS: Thanks again Megann, it makes me feel that I'm a certified Blogger (with the capital B! hah!) when I was invited to talk about blogging! Wow! Hehe! ;p 

Some posts from my old blog circa '08

If you stare long enough,Jul 6, '08 1:57 PM
for everyone

...you think you’ll finally see what you’ve been looking for?

Would your eyes adjust, just like in the dark, as long as you keep them there, glaring, watching, looking intently, not necessarily searching . . .

Would you realize what is lacking?
Or what is it you will die for?
Or what is there ahead of you?



I think I am losing touch with the world, and forgot about dreaming.
You think it’s all there in the heavens, staring back at me? ;-)




*


July 14, 2008

There really is, I believe, a thin line bordering the heavens from the earth.
The one you saw, or have evanescently seen that fateful day, in the Summer of Healing.

While people were consumed, too busy being busy—
Right in front of you,
The momentary collapsing of the boundary that separates us from the gods.


*

Maybe if I had tilted my camera just a little bit,Jul 7, '08 12:15 PM
for everyone
Then, I would have seen the whole picture.
Maybe she has a companion.
Someone beside her, to share The Beautiful.

Or maybe, she really was alone.

Basked in the sun, with the company of her self.

“Am I lonely? Is being alone tantamount to sadness?”


Maybe she was alone.

And maybe,





She was happy.


***
To the hat-guy, Mr. A-Z, thank you for your beautiful songs and awesome music!!!!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :-)
(i'm sure it's a great day! :))


***
I am not my face. I am not my hair.

I am not my family. I am not my care.



I am not my upbringing. I am not my mole.

I am not my receding gum. I am not my cold.



I am not my money. And I’m not my fame.

I’m not my hat. I’m not even my name. 



I’m just an idea that happened upon love. 

I am that I am and that I am is enough."
-Jason Mraz, Who Am I?


Photo and quotes from:
http://fuckyeahjasonmraz.tumblr.com
http://jmraz.tumblr.com

On business...

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

I got this framed poster from my dad: The Greatest Salesman in the World (yup, he reads Og Mandino books ;))...

How true it is that getting clients and buyers is never easy..all money spent for marketing. Like on business cards, promos, freebies, paperbags (packagings!). Plus establishing rapport with each buyer I encounter online or in person, during meet ups.

But how easy it is to lose them, with the wrong item, with a delayed delivery, with shipment booboos. I wonder how some online sellers afford to be mataray (rude) when replying to their buyers?

Oh the challenges of being involved in a business! I love the thrill of it! ;-)

PS: I posted my Davao trip in Anagon's Travel Blog. :-) Hope you check it out if you have the time! ;-) <3