sojourns

Currently Reading:

2012-02-26T15:14:00.001-08:00

Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami (translated by Jay Rubin)
My Name Is Memory - Ann Brashares
Committed - Elizabeth Gilbert

When I read books, I tend not to stick with just one book. So I usually switch into reading another after a few chapters on one book. Listed above are my currently reads.

I actually just finished reading Norwegian Wood. It's my first Murakami book ever. I know it's insane that I've only read a Murakami novel now, but I was really hesitant reading his works because of the depressing emotions from his novels. And I usually tend to read only light and easy books. I hate that I would have to undergo stress and negative emotions as well when reading. But this one is really good and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the characters so much. And every girl, though a lot deny it, are really suckers for love stories (sad or happy endings).

The book I always bring with me right now is My Name Is Memory. I just bought it recently (though I still have a pile of unread books at my desk and they were bought months ago). It's a love story as well (duh), about a guy who has spent centuries loving a girl. And I am not exaggerating when I said centuries. Remember what people say that our bodies die but our soul doesn't and that we just reincarnate / reborn into a different body, but we can't remember anything from our past life? Apparently this guy, Daniel, remembers everything that has happened to him life after life. I' m still halfway through the book, so I can't really say if I like it or not. I need to read more to give that judgement.

And usually, the 3rd book is the "just-another-option-book". It's more of the book I read when I get bored or tired of reading my main book. I have loved Elizabeth Gilbert ever since Eat, Pray, Love came into my life. So it was without a doubt that I should buy the continuation of that book. Though Committed is less appealing to me since it's more focused into the discussion of marriage, I still am enjoying it since I enjoy Liz's humor.

Pre - Valentine Date with Mariel ♥

2012-02-26T14:24:00.004-08:00

Mariel and I used to celebrate vday together. But then she got a boyfriend, I stayed single and started having a work so we decided to celebrate it a few days earlier.

We decided to have dinner at Almon Marina (Southmall).

What we ate:

Pasta Puttanesca

16" Neptune Submarine Sandwich

We were so full after finishing the sandwich that we weren't able to eat the pastries we bought for desserts.

We bought some pastries from Tous Les Jours (favorite custard cream pastry!)

It was a rainy night and we head home at around 9pm with stomachs full!

♥

Lilah: My Samsung PL120

2012-01-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

This is my biggest purchase since I started working. I bought a brand new Samsung PL120 (in lilac) on New Year's eve. I know right? I started the year broke. But I thought this is good investment since I needed a working digital camera to start the year. I didn't regret buying it after all! I LOVE IT!

Here's how it looks like!

And of course, like any other silly people, I give names to my precious things. This baby is now named, Lilah. The lady from the appliance store told me that the other color available is in lilac, which made me doubt to buy at first because from what I know lilac is in a lighter shade of violet. But when I saw the actual thing it is in a metallic dark violet color. But anyway, that's where I got the name, Lilah.

I haven't fully explored the cam but here's a run down of it's features:

14 Megapixel
HD Video Capture
5XOptical zoom
2 View camera (it has a front view screen!)
Has a number of camera effects (my favorite is the object highlight feature)
Adjustable ISO
Smart face recognition technology
Smile shutter :)

Here's the navigation side

Sample shots from our Nuvali trip using Lilah

♥♥♥

Star Spangled

2011-12-28T23:18:00.000-08:00

Last Tuesday (Dec 27), my high school girl friends and I meet up to have dinner together since we haven't seen each other for months. 2 of my friends still has work. So my 2 other friends and I (we are 5 in our group) decided to try some salon in the mall and had our nails done.

We went to nail-a-holics (@ sm san lazaro)

If you know me well, you'd know that this will be my first time to go to nail salon or to even have my nails done commercially. Weakest point of my body would be probably be my nails since I cringe with just the thought of short nails or broken nail. I feel vulnerable and prone to pain if I cut my nails too short. So what more having others use pointy and rough materials to my nails? I braved myself and conquered one of my fears.

here's a glimpse on how their stores usually look like

(photo from their fb account)

The experience was so-so. I love my nail color, although I do think it's kind of pricey for just a manicure. I paid 220php since I used a branded nail polish. But I'm happy anyway 'cause I love my nails!

Here's a really crappy photo of my nails

I know it doesn't look so cool and pretty in there (coz it's a really crappy photo!) but it is.

Here's how it looks like in real life.

(photo from manicuremommas.com)

It's shiny and sparkling! I used Orly Star Spangled from their Permanent | Sparkling Glitters Collection.

Pretty right? I think I'll buy my own bottle soon!

♥

le frère me manque

2011-12-27T20:46:00.000-08:00

Latest picture of mon frère (my brother).

He is braving the first Christmas snow at Ontario. Miss this guy so much.

Christmas '11

2011-12-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

December 25, 2011

I celebrated Christmas with my relatives from the south. I've been spending my Christmas eves with them for several years now and every year is really memorable and fun-filled. This year's Christmas may not feel very Christmas-y compared to the previous celebrations, but there are a lot of "firsts" that happened this year.

It's the first Christmas I gave out gifts with my cousins and to my grandparents. I gave out Christmas cash instead cause I didn't have time to buy them gifts. After eating Noche Buena, I invited my cousins to get out of our living room. We have a spacious garage and outdoor space so there is a lot of room to have 15-20 people running around. Then I got this idea to start a water gun fight with them. The thing is, I was the only one with a gun. The kids had fun and we played for about an hour. On Christmas night, we had karaoke and played Pinoy Henyo with our aunts and uncles. But I had to miss all the fun playing the game with them since I had to go to Bulacan to stay with my grade school friends, which is also a first. We drank a little, not too much to get us drunk. But in the middle of our drinking session, I fell asleep.

On the downside of this year's Christmas, it's my first Christmas away from my brother. Brother moved to Canada with this wife. It's our first Christmas not being able to spend it together. But we were able to video chat the whole Christmas afternoon (early morning in Canada) via facetime & fring! Another downside this Christmas is that, it's my first Christmas not being able to see any of my relative from my mother's side. I didn't get any invitations from them so I assumed they had separate celebrations. So I opted not to go visit them. I mean how am I suppose to know where to find them?

Anyway. I still enjoyed my Christmas. And I'm thankful I was still able to spend it with my relatives really close and dear to my heart. I just hope that on the next years, I'll be able to spend it with my whole family (with papa, mom and my brother).

♥

A really blurry picture of the feast

Camwhoring

Karaoke session

Pinoy Henyo

(pictures were taken Dave & Mariel)

Best Thing Ever: Samsung Galaxy Note

2011-12-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

This is the Samsung Galaxy Note.

And I am not kidding that this is the best ever gadget I have seen my entire life. Thousands or millions might have been swayed and impressed with the latest iPhone 4s. Well, I'm not one them. But to tell you why exactly this baby right here is the best ever, go and watch the video. I just ditched buying an iPod Touch for this!

On a personal note:

I just asked my dad and my brother's help to save up for this baby so I can buy one before my birthday :)

2011-12-13T00:08:00.000-08:00

A lot of things happened since my last post in this blog. I almost forgot that I still have this blogger account. tsk. I graduated from college, spent time with my parents who came home, I got a job, my brother moved to Canada for good and I had been living on my own now. Things were tough, but, thankfully and luckily I have learned how to survive each day. It's been a messy, thrilling and emotional roller-coaster-ride like year for me. And this is just the beginning of a crazier life ahead of me on 2012. And I am hoping I can update this blog with all those adventures about to come forth.

♥

Things I Want To Do Next Week

2011-02-26T23:36:00.000-08:00

1.) Be home at South and watch Arashi 2010 Scene Concert with the kids.

2.) Watch Summer Wars, Detective Conan Movie 14, Doraemon: Nobita and the Great Mermaid Battle, and Gantz with the kids as well.

3.) Thai Massage and Foot Spa.

4.) Go to Quiapo and BUY LOTS OF TV SERIES DVD!

5.) HARRY POTTER, GOSSIP GIRL, CHUCK MARATHON!!!

6.) Gokusen and Mary Marathon with the kids

7.) CLOSET CLEAN-UP DAY

8.) ACAD SHITS CLEAN-UP DAY

9.) Prepare tv series and movie list for Dad, so we can watch together when comes home.

10.) DRAW again.

11.) FINISH processing PASSPORT and ITALIAN VISA.

12.) HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS

13.) Pray that baccalaureate mass won't fall on the 25th!

14.) Get a Hotel room with friends, Party, get drunk then continue partying :))

15.) Start deciding what to do in 'my life after school'.

2011-02-18T17:50:00.000-08:00

Saturday Class:

I'm now in my Desktop Publishing class. And I'm bored. And I have a quiz and recitation later in my Taxation class. gahd. save me, please!

2011-02-18T04:12:00.000-08:00

I miss my family at the South. Good thing I'm finally seeing them again tomorrow. :)

2010-06-15T04:59:00.000-07:00

happiness ♥

( using laptop's cam and little editing -- turns out to be an awesome photo :D)

2010-06-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

19th birthday with Mariel ♥

2010-06-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

♥♥♥

SUMMER

2010-05-27T00:35:00.000-07:00

Nuvali with family

A very much awaited summer escapade with my relatives. We wen to Tagaytay first and tried the now becoming famous Tagaytay zipline and cable car. It was a really freaky yet very exciting and amazing experience for us. We totally loved it together with the kids. After which, we went to Nuvali at Sta. Rosa, Laguna. We tried boating and took a lot of pictures before heading off to lunch. After lunch, we went to Paseo de Sta. Rosa. It's actually pretty cool in there and we visited a Japanese & Korean store and bought some stuff.

♥

♥♥♥

For Papa's 47th!

2010-01-04T23:20:00.000-08:00

A little something I made for Papa.

HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY PAPA!
I LOVE YOU!

THERE'S THAT ONE PERSON THAT YOU'LL NEVER GET OVER NO MATTER HOW LONG IT'S BEEN

2010-01-02T22:24:00.000-08:00

I encountered this phrase and it hit me hard, more than a “Goodbye Philippines” can bang a neighborhood and outcasts all the fivestars or superlolos or any other fireworks i have ever encountered.Third day of the year and I’m still saying WTF and it feels like i’m going to have BV all year round, contrary to what feng shui says that i’ll have a magnificent year.

I’ve been trying to get over you. REALLY. I’ve tried so hard, but you kept coming back. And unconsciously and unintentionally you make me fall for you all over again I became so lost to the path of moving on. And you know what’s irritating? You don’t even have the slightest idea that you can still affect me this much. FUCK.

PS: To the someone who made me think that we’re better of us friends, FU. I can never be friends with him when he’s so much more special than just a friend.

2010-01-02T08:24:00.001-08:00

A random thing during the 30th. Camwhoring with my cousin Yel and Aunt Anne.

Christmas '09

2009-12-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

What Happened This Christmas??

LOTS OF FOOD *nomnomnom*

Fun moments with relatives =))

CAMWHORING BIG TIME!! FTW!

I LOVE THE HOLIDAYS WITH FAMILY.

New Laptop background

2009-12-26T22:18:00.000-08:00

I made this bg on the 24th when i was bored and waiting for the clock to strike 12am and start camwhoring for Christmas. I'll post Christmas photos soon, after I edited all of them.

I lurve the color red right now :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

MY DAILY SCHOOL STUFF

2009-12-16T23:40:00.000-08:00

1. Vienna Austria Canvass Bag - w/c mom bought me from her Vienna trip.

2. Carpisa Brown Leather Wallet - from mom as well.

3. Pink & White Polka Dot Coin Purse - I bought for 20php; wood keychain from my cousin.

4. Fifi Lapin Lesportsac Purse - FAVE PURSE!

5. Nokia 5130 phone

6. Bunny & Bear Cellphone Purse - cutest purse ever for 100php

7. Yellow Envelope - where I put papers and other school stuff.

8. Striped Notebook - the only notebook I bring to school; my UNIVERSAL ntbk. :)

9. Striped Sticky Notepad

10. Mini Notepad - cutest notepad i bought for only 8.50php.

11. Black Pencil Case - can you see the butterfly pencil? :)

12. Black Wristwatch - w/c is 30mins advanced.

13. Grey Altea ID Lace - you don’t have to see my ID pic.

14. Purple Springmaid Comb

15. Calgon Turquoise Seas Body Mist

16. Body Basics Strawberry Lip Balm

2009-12-15T18:59:00.000-08:00

TO DOs on Chirstmas break:

*Do lots of photoshop-ing ~ practice, be productive and creative!

Make personalized monthly laptop wallpaper calendar.
Make digiscrap journals of my friends and I.
Make Christmas & New Year cards layout to email w/ relatives & friends.
Start making layouts for my 2010 Ejournal (electronic journal).

*SAVE CASH ~ thou shall not spend all the money you’ll get this Christmas.

*Update BLOGSPOT ~ oh yess. I want to update it (like how I update my tumblr) and edit the layout. weee :)

*DOWNLOAD A LOT ~ like srsly A LOT. I’m nearly done with Yamada Taro Monagatari and I still have a lot more series in line.

*GENERAL HOUSE CLEANING ~ this is a MUST. duh.

*CLOSET CLEANING ~ time to dump or give away some clothes.

*Finish MOM’s ORDERS (BILIN) ~ she asks lots of stuff to do and buy.

*I want photoshoots w/ my dearests

*STUDY POL DY & LIT in advance ~ SRSLY, I NEED TO.

*RESEARCH for THESIS

*PIMP MY PLANNER once I received it!!!

one sunday afternoon

2009-12-15T00:36:00.001-08:00

One Sunday afternoon...

I was bored and I liked the rays of light passing through our window. I'm not VAIN, JSYK. It just so happened I wanted to see how I look on pictures when I haven't combed/ brushed my hair yet. XD

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-14T23:16:00.001-08:00

10 days to go before Christmas!