Today I watched the film Whiplash and was astounded by Miles Teller's performance. I know J.K. Simmons has all the Oscar buzz but Miles really served up some crazy acting in the film. I also watched him in other films—The Spectacular Now (2013) and Two Night Stand (2014)—but his performance in this Academy Award Best Picture nominee is miles away from the other two.
Teller plays a 19-year-old drummer who gets in a prestigious music school and secures a spot in the band of a great but temperamental conductor played by Simmons. It's funny, because this afternoon even before watching the film, I was already thinking about passion, and how I want to have it for something, especially now when I'm at a crossroads about the next step to take in my life. Then I start watching this film and Teller is just stellar, oozing out passion like there's no tomorrow. His character pounds on the drum kit with all his might, wounds and callouses be damned, never mind that he just survived a car crash (he literally walked away from the accident and ran to the concert venue). Oh to be consumed by such passion, the kind you live and breathe, so much so you almost die for it. My heart pounded during the last parts of the film, and the scenes left me breathless well after the credits finished rolling.
While I was tapping my thoughts away on Twitter, I get a tweet from a former Journalism classmate asking if I'm interested to contribute on her site (maybe I'll tell you about this someday, in case it prospers). I often saw her tweets about it, but back then I just thought she was a contributor. It turns out, she created the site! Again, props to people with passion.
While I'm still stewing myself in thoughts about what it is I am really passionate about, I thought of doing something just to keep my hands busy and trick my mind into thinking I am actually a productive individual. Just to get the rust out of my writing skills, I figured since one of the only consistent things I've been doing the last few months is watch a slew of US TV series, why don't I just write episode recaps of these shows?
I don't know if anyone will be interested to read them especially since they're a dime a dozen on the web, but I'm really doing this for myself. If I discipline myself into writing regularly, who knows what might come next?
I wrote this blog entry while I still have the mojo and also to serve as evidence. Now, the challenge is to actually start writing the recaps. I thought maybe I'd start with an easy one: Hart of Dixie. The new season just started so I only have two episodes to write about.
Will I be able to rise to this self-imposed challenge?
Stay tuned.
Showing posts with label life bits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life bits. Show all posts
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
2014 in a Survey
Work and baking took up most of my time and I wasn't able to blog at all, even though I had tons of material to work with. This year, my motto was #trysomethingnew, and that brought a lot of insights and experiences. I had my fifteen minutes of mild viral fame thanks to an opinion piece I wrote in defense of my faith, felt exhilarated while white-water rafting in Davao, and became a holiday business woman and baker. 2014 was a tough year, but it made me realize a ton of things too, which helped made my 2015 goals clearer. I'm excited to take it on! But first, a look back. As per tradition, here's the year that was in a survey.
What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?
- White-water rafting, cliff diving, and successfully run a micro home-based business.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Don't make 'em. But I 'm happy to have accomplished several of my 2014 goals.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
- No.
Did anyone close to you die?
- No.
What countries did you visit?
- (Phuket) Thailand.
What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
- Leveled up goals, a bigger home, a new car.
What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- That day that finally pushed me to resign from my corporate job even without a new job to transfer to.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- Resolved to sell my banana loaves and actually did a great job at it.
What was your biggest failure?
- Still keeping my place neat. I want to do something serious about it this coming year though.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
- Nothing major. My good ol' reliable acid reflux.
What was the best thing you bought?
- Hmmm. The buy one take one sturdy plastic table I bought at S&R. It became very useful for baking.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
- Jay! For being everything from doing most of my costing, driving me to supply stores, buying and bringing me supplies, to helping mash bananas and taste testing. And mostly for keeping up with my mood swings.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
- Corrupt people, and not just those in the government.
Where did most of your money go?
-Food. Bills. And work transportation.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
- The Iglesia Ni Cristo Centennial, Bits & Bites, and Phuket.
What song(s) will always remind you of 2014?
- "Brave" and "Satellite Call" (Sara Bareilles), "Lost Stars" (Adam Levine), "A Step You Can't Take Back" (Keira Knightley), Taylor Swift's 1989 album
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? -- Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- For most of the year, thinner. But this holiday season, I gained back the weight, plus a couple more pounds. Whut!
iii. richer or poorer? -- Poorer.
What do you wish you'd done more?
- Focused on what I really wanted.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
- Worry.
How many one-night stands?
- Zero.
What was your favorite TV program?
- I'm a TV series junkie. My new discoveries this year: White Collar, Covert Affairs, Game of Thrones, House of Lies, The Affair, How to Get Away with Murder and The Big Bang Theory. Plus the usual suspects: The Newsroom, Suits, Scandal, House of Cards, Person of Interest, 2 Broke Girls, NCIS, The Blacklist, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, Survivor, the list goes on...
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
- No.
What was the best book you read?
- The Help, The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
- Sara Bareilles's The Blessed Unrest, Taylor's 1989, Begin Again OST.
What did you want and get?
- Succeed in my baking business.
What was your favorite film/s of this year?
- The Grand Budapest Hotel, Chef, Begin Again, Boyhood
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- 27, Sofitel buffet with Jay days before. On the day, I was with my brother and his family.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
- If I didn't have to worry about a problem that was just handed down to me. If I was included in the Centennial Choir.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
- Still comfort over fashion. Jeans, strappy sandals, and silver Toms.
What kept you sane?
-My journals, books, TV series, and Jay. And this year, it really was prayer. I don't think I ever prayed as hard as I did this year.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
- Hmmm. None.
What political issue stirred you the most?
- Not political, social. The GMA vs TAG issue. I have mad respect for the dedication of journalists and broadcast journalists in the country. It's just fair that they get what they deserve.
Who did you miss?
- Always, my Dad.
Who was the best new person you met?
- Hmmm. As an aspirational figure, I'd say Joe Magsaysay (CEO of Potato Corner).
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014:
- Know what you want and work hard to get it. Learn to say no when you want to.
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
- "I don't mind being under-appreciated by everyone else when I work with someone talented, passionate, and principled. Be always that person and even more than you can imagine."
The most touching experience you've had this year?
- I was playing bubbles with my niece Angela, and seeing her laugh with sheer happiness just tugs at my heart. I lover her to pieces. You know, that kind of love that makes you feel like you could die? Before she came, I didn't know you could love someone so much. I know, a little out there. Can you imagine how much I'd love my own child?
- I went on vacation and had someone take care of everything for me. I've lived independently for six years, and I forgot how it was not to worry about anything.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
- I finally had the courage to walk away from something that no longer made me grow, even when it meant instability and uncertainty.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
- That I didn't keep my home clean and in order. It's frustrating, because I really want to. But procrastination always got the better of me. And living alone, it didn't matter much since you'd think no one else would see it. Until someone springs a surprise visit.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
- And God, tell us the reason/Youth is wasted on the young//It's hunting season/ and the lambs are on the run//Searching for meaning/But are all lost stars/ trying to light up the dark.//
Was 2014 a good year for you?
- No, for most of it. But the last quarter went pretty well.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
- Choir duty in the worship service officiated by Bro. EVM in our locale, celebrating the Church's Centennial, that three-second underwater while white-water rafting in Davao, Phuket trip with Jay, playtime with my niece, whenever I received good feedback about my banana loaves.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
- On my supposed last day at work, there was a storm and we weren't made to go to the office. But there were certain power-tripping people who didn't care about our welfare and just wanted to get things done. They just made leaving so much easier.
Where were you when 2014 began?
- At Jay's family home.
Who were you with?
- Jay and his family.
Where will you be when 2014 ends?
-At Jay's home.
Who will you be with when 2014 ends?
- Jay and his family.
Do you have a new years resolution for 2015?
- Not resolutions but goals.
What was your favorite month of 2014?
- November and December.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2014?
-No.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
- My Dad
What was your favorite record from 2014?
- Sara Bareilles's The Blessed Unrest, Taylor's 1989, Begin Again OST.
How many concerts did you see in 2014?
- Just one. :( John Legend's All of Me Tour.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2014?
- No.
Do a lot of drugs in 2014?
- Do prescription drugs count?
You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
- No.
How much money did you spend in 2014?
- Less than last year.
What was your proudest moment of 2014?
- My baking business. I was overwhelmed with its success. It inspired me to dream more and learn more. And it reminded me that there's nothing like working on something you love.
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2014?
- Replying on the wrong email thread.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2014 and change something, what would it be?
- It was actually a moment in 2012.
What are your plans for 2015?
- To cross off the top item on my goal list, to grow Bits & Bites, and to fix financial stuff.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
- Rejuvenated and looking forward to 2015. Bit & Bites was a real inspiration. Just what I needed to jumpstart my new year.
What are your wishes for the new year?
- :)
What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?
- White-water rafting, cliff diving, and successfully run a micro home-based business.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Don't make 'em. But I 'm happy to have accomplished several of my 2014 goals.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
- No.
Did anyone close to you die?
- No.
What countries did you visit?
- (Phuket) Thailand.
What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
- Leveled up goals, a bigger home, a new car.
What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- That day that finally pushed me to resign from my corporate job even without a new job to transfer to.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
- Resolved to sell my banana loaves and actually did a great job at it.
What was your biggest failure?
- Still keeping my place neat. I want to do something serious about it this coming year though.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
- Nothing major. My good ol' reliable acid reflux.
What was the best thing you bought?
- Hmmm. The buy one take one sturdy plastic table I bought at S&R. It became very useful for baking.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
- Jay! For being everything from doing most of my costing, driving me to supply stores, buying and bringing me supplies, to helping mash bananas and taste testing. And mostly for keeping up with my mood swings.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
- Corrupt people, and not just those in the government.
Where did most of your money go?
-Food. Bills. And work transportation.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
- The Iglesia Ni Cristo Centennial, Bits & Bites, and Phuket.
What song(s) will always remind you of 2014?
- "Brave" and "Satellite Call" (Sara Bareilles), "Lost Stars" (Adam Levine), "A Step You Can't Take Back" (Keira Knightley), Taylor Swift's 1989 album
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? -- Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- For most of the year, thinner. But this holiday season, I gained back the weight, plus a couple more pounds. Whut!
iii. richer or poorer? -- Poorer.
What do you wish you'd done more?
- Focused on what I really wanted.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
- Worry.
How many one-night stands?
- Zero.
What was your favorite TV program?
- I'm a TV series junkie. My new discoveries this year: White Collar, Covert Affairs, Game of Thrones, House of Lies, The Affair, How to Get Away with Murder and The Big Bang Theory. Plus the usual suspects: The Newsroom, Suits, Scandal, House of Cards, Person of Interest, 2 Broke Girls, NCIS, The Blacklist, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, Survivor, the list goes on...
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
- No.
What was the best book you read?
- The Help, The Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
- Sara Bareilles's The Blessed Unrest, Taylor's 1989, Begin Again OST.
What did you want and get?
- Succeed in my baking business.
What was your favorite film/s of this year?
- The Grand Budapest Hotel, Chef, Begin Again, Boyhood
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- 27, Sofitel buffet with Jay days before. On the day, I was with my brother and his family.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
- If I didn't have to worry about a problem that was just handed down to me. If I was included in the Centennial Choir.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
- Still comfort over fashion. Jeans, strappy sandals, and silver Toms.
What kept you sane?
-My journals, books, TV series, and Jay. And this year, it really was prayer. I don't think I ever prayed as hard as I did this year.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
- Hmmm. None.
What political issue stirred you the most?
- Not political, social. The GMA vs TAG issue. I have mad respect for the dedication of journalists and broadcast journalists in the country. It's just fair that they get what they deserve.
Who did you miss?
- Always, my Dad.
Who was the best new person you met?
- Hmmm. As an aspirational figure, I'd say Joe Magsaysay (CEO of Potato Corner).
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014:
- Know what you want and work hard to get it. Learn to say no when you want to.
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
- "I don't mind being under-appreciated by everyone else when I work with someone talented, passionate, and principled. Be always that person and even more than you can imagine."
The most touching experience you've had this year?
- I was playing bubbles with my niece Angela, and seeing her laugh with sheer happiness just tugs at my heart. I lover her to pieces. You know, that kind of love that makes you feel like you could die? Before she came, I didn't know you could love someone so much. I know, a little out there. Can you imagine how much I'd love my own child?
- I went on vacation and had someone take care of everything for me. I've lived independently for six years, and I forgot how it was not to worry about anything.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
- I finally had the courage to walk away from something that no longer made me grow, even when it meant instability and uncertainty.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
- That I didn't keep my home clean and in order. It's frustrating, because I really want to. But procrastination always got the better of me. And living alone, it didn't matter much since you'd think no one else would see it. Until someone springs a surprise visit.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
- And God, tell us the reason/Youth is wasted on the young//It's hunting season/ and the lambs are on the run//Searching for meaning/But are all lost stars/ trying to light up the dark.//
Was 2014 a good year for you?
- No, for most of it. But the last quarter went pretty well.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
- Choir duty in the worship service officiated by Bro. EVM in our locale, celebrating the Church's Centennial, that three-second underwater while white-water rafting in Davao, Phuket trip with Jay, playtime with my niece, whenever I received good feedback about my banana loaves.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
- On my supposed last day at work, there was a storm and we weren't made to go to the office. But there were certain power-tripping people who didn't care about our welfare and just wanted to get things done. They just made leaving so much easier.
Where were you when 2014 began?
- At Jay's family home.
Who were you with?
- Jay and his family.
Where will you be when 2014 ends?
-At Jay's home.
Who will you be with when 2014 ends?
- Jay and his family.
Do you have a new years resolution for 2015?
- Not resolutions but goals.
What was your favorite month of 2014?
- November and December.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2014?
-No.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
- My Dad
What was your favorite record from 2014?
- Sara Bareilles's The Blessed Unrest, Taylor's 1989, Begin Again OST.
How many concerts did you see in 2014?
- Just one. :( John Legend's All of Me Tour.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2014?
- No.
Do a lot of drugs in 2014?
- Do prescription drugs count?
You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
- No.
How much money did you spend in 2014?
- Less than last year.
What was your proudest moment of 2014?
- My baking business. I was overwhelmed with its success. It inspired me to dream more and learn more. And it reminded me that there's nothing like working on something you love.
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2014?
- Replying on the wrong email thread.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2014 and change something, what would it be?
- It was actually a moment in 2012.
What are your plans for 2015?
- To cross off the top item on my goal list, to grow Bits & Bites, and to fix financial stuff.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
- Rejuvenated and looking forward to 2015. Bit & Bites was a real inspiration. Just what I needed to jumpstart my new year.
What are your wishes for the new year?
- :)
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Life Bits - Hello 2014!
Happy new year dear readers! I hope you had a wonderful celebration with your loved ones. New Year is one of my favorite holidays, and whenever I think about it I always imagine us jumping from the ending year into the new one. And although I know I won't grow an inch taller, I've made a tradition of jumping whenever the clock struck midnight. It's just more fun welcoming the year that way. :)
So a lot of people make resolutions at the start of the year. That isn't really my thing. What I do is take my planner and write down some goals. Usually it includes reading more books (in 2013 I read 20, yay!) and finish personal projects. I'm still working on my photo wall but I'm targeting to finish that this month. Making this new blog was one of my goals last year.
I haven't written any goals for 2014 yet, but I do have a mantra to go by. I've always been a creature of habit, and my brother calls me anal because I like order in certain things. I have my go-to items. Like in eating for example. I always go for the pasta dish and because I don't drink soda, my default drink is iced tea. If you look in my closet, you'd see a lot of blacks, whites, and grays. Jay noticed I often get flower-printed tops or dresses. Yada, yada yada, you get the picture.
So this year, I decided to...Try something new.
I started it back in December when I ended up eating at Mamou after a long day at work. Lorenzo's Truffle Cream is one of my comfort foods but having had pasta the day before, I ended up ordering the Kurobuta Sinigang. I ended up liking it! And then I realized, there is still so much to try, a lot of things to discover.
So for this year, whenever I get the chance, I will stray from the usual and try something off the beaten path.
What's your 2014 mantra? :)
So a lot of people make resolutions at the start of the year. That isn't really my thing. What I do is take my planner and write down some goals. Usually it includes reading more books (in 2013 I read 20, yay!) and finish personal projects. I'm still working on my photo wall but I'm targeting to finish that this month. Making this new blog was one of my goals last year.
I haven't written any goals for 2014 yet, but I do have a mantra to go by. I've always been a creature of habit, and my brother calls me anal because I like order in certain things. I have my go-to items. Like in eating for example. I always go for the pasta dish and because I don't drink soda, my default drink is iced tea. If you look in my closet, you'd see a lot of blacks, whites, and grays. Jay noticed I often get flower-printed tops or dresses. Yada, yada yada, you get the picture.
So this year, I decided to...Try something new.
I started it back in December when I ended up eating at Mamou after a long day at work. Lorenzo's Truffle Cream is one of my comfort foods but having had pasta the day before, I ended up ordering the Kurobuta Sinigang. I ended up liking it! And then I realized, there is still so much to try, a lot of things to discover.
So for this year, whenever I get the chance, I will stray from the usual and try something off the beaten path.
What's your 2014 mantra? :)
Monday, December 30, 2013
Life Bits - 2013 in a Survey
I used to do this year-end survey in my old blog, and I thought it proper to continue with this little tradition. I didn't think I'd be able to dig this up because my old blog shut down last year. Or so I thought. When a friend mentioned on Twitter that she planned on answering the survey as well, I tried Googling for my blog archives. What do you know, my old blog is alive after all! I won't link it though, some things are best left in the past. :) Maybe someday.
Anyway, with this survey, you get an idea of how my 2013 went:
What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
- Successfully bake a banana cake.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Don't make 'em. But I crossed off some of the items in my list of 2013 goals.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
- No, but both my nieces turned one this year!
Did anyone close to you die?
- Yes. My aunt, Nanay Juliet passed away in June.
What countries did you visit?
-Vietnam.
What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
-More stamps in my passport. A more stable income, and a steady fitness routine.
What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
-June 3, 2013. My life took a detour I didn't expect.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
-My baking wasn't actually half-bad!
What was your biggest failure?
-Small stuff. like keeping my place neat. hahaha - This has been it for the last half-decade.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
-Nothing major. My good ol' reliable acid reflux.
What was the best thing you bought?
-My Rebelle flats, Joan & Klaire camou tote, MAC lipsticks. :) Oh, and my BB Dakota leather jacket I got on sale for only 2k. Score! And the shopping haul I got from Pam Quinones's closet sale. (Is it obvious I'm a shopaholic?)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
-Everyone who helped after Yolanda.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
-JANET NAPOLES.
Where did most of your money go?
-Food. Bills.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
-Vietnam with Jay and his family. Coron!
What song(s) will always remind you of 2013?
- Gravity, Daylight, Sad.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? --Sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- People say thinner. I have no idea.
iii. richer or poorer? --Break-even.
What do you wish you'd done more?
-Exercise is the permanent answer to this question.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
-Eat.
How many one-night stands?
-Zero.
What was your favorite TV program?
-Orphan Black, Scandal, House of Cards, Suits, The Blacklist, Revenge, 2 Broke Girls, Hart of Dixie, Top Chef, Master Chef, Person of Interest, and Mistresses.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
-Nope
What was the best book you read?
- Every Day by David Levithan and Falling Together by Marisa Delos Santos
What was your greatest musical discovery?
-None. I'm quite sad about this, actually. I didn't listen to new music that much this year. But I like Katy Perry's new album.
What did you want and get?
- Hmmm. Let me get back to you on that. But I was really lucky in promos and giveaways. Won three blog/online promos this year!
What was your favorite film/s of this year?
- Flight, The Great Gatsby, Ekstra, Transit, On the Job.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
-26, dinner with my mom.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
-A dive. One more trip abroad. Brady.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
-Went semi-corporate because of my new company's dress code. My feet hating me for it (no more sandals).
What kept you sane?
-My journals, books, TV series, and Jay.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
-Bianca King (her home) and Agoo Bengzon.
What political issue stirred you the most?
-PDAF Scam.
Who did you miss?
-Always, my dad.
Who was the best new person you met?
-The whole editorial team. :)
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
- Leave no room for regret, just acknowledge that sometimes, you make poor decisions. Be glad you have the power to change them (October 2013).
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
-"Lagi kang mukhang pleasant. Parang hindi ka nagagalit."
-"Continue being the poster girl for the editorial team! Achieve! *sparkles*"
The most touching experience you've had this year?
-My last visit to Nanay in the hospital.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
- I stuck to my responsibilities.That I didn't (well, haven't) crack under pressure.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
-Procrastinating, and not thinking about my decisions that much.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
- "Oh this road is long, this road is wide. It takes more than luck to last the ride. It takes strength and it takes courage to survive."
Was 2013 a good year for you?
- No.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
- Dinner at Castaway Island, Coron with Jay and Nins. Talking to my 96-year-old grand-aunt.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
-Leaving the office at 3am.
Where were you when 2013 began?
- At home, inhaling smoke and jumping like a jellybean.
Who were you with?
-Family.
Where will you be when 2013 ends?
-At Jay's home.
Who will you be with when 2013 ends?
-Jay and his family.
Do you have a new years resolution for 2014?
- Not really resolutions. More like goals.
What was your favorite month of 2013?
-May.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2013?
-Yes.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
-My Dad and Nanay.
What was your favorite record from 2013?
-Maroon 5's Overexposed and Katy Perry's Prism.
How many concerts did you see in 2013?
- Four: The Script, Bamboo, Carly Rae (don't judge, it was free), and Fall Out Boy.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2013?
- No.
Do a lot of drugs in 2013
- Do prescription drugs count?
You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
-No.
How much money did you spend in 2013?
- A LOT.
What was your proudest moment of 2013?
- Baking class. :) Oh, I was surprised when glamour.com picked up one of my blog entries. Haha! And getting back to magazine writing after two years. :)
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2013?
- Hmmm. Wala naman.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2013 and change something, what would it be?
- Signing my name on the dotted line. Hehe.
What are your plans for 2014?
- Be more educated financially, find a more stable job, bake more and cook more.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
- More focused on the future. More wary of user-friendly people.
What are your wishes for the new year?
- For my prayers to come true!
Anyway, with this survey, you get an idea of how my 2013 went:
What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
- Successfully bake a banana cake.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- Don't make 'em. But I crossed off some of the items in my list of 2013 goals.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
- No, but both my nieces turned one this year!
Did anyone close to you die?
- Yes. My aunt, Nanay Juliet passed away in June.
What countries did you visit?
-Vietnam.
What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
-More stamps in my passport. A more stable income, and a steady fitness routine.
What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
-June 3, 2013. My life took a detour I didn't expect.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
-My baking wasn't actually half-bad!
What was your biggest failure?
-Small stuff. like keeping my place neat. hahaha - This has been it for the last half-decade.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
-Nothing major. My good ol' reliable acid reflux.
What was the best thing you bought?
-My Rebelle flats, Joan & Klaire camou tote, MAC lipsticks. :) Oh, and my BB Dakota leather jacket I got on sale for only 2k. Score! And the shopping haul I got from Pam Quinones's closet sale. (Is it obvious I'm a shopaholic?)
Whose behavior merited celebration?
-Everyone who helped after Yolanda.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
-JANET NAPOLES.
Where did most of your money go?
-Food. Bills.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
-Vietnam with Jay and his family. Coron!
What song(s) will always remind you of 2013?
- Gravity, Daylight, Sad.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? --Sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? -- People say thinner. I have no idea.
iii. richer or poorer? --Break-even.
What do you wish you'd done more?
-Exercise is the permanent answer to this question.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
-Eat.
How many one-night stands?
-Zero.
What was your favorite TV program?
-Orphan Black, Scandal, House of Cards, Suits, The Blacklist, Revenge, 2 Broke Girls, Hart of Dixie, Top Chef, Master Chef, Person of Interest, and Mistresses.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
-Nope
What was the best book you read?
- Every Day by David Levithan and Falling Together by Marisa Delos Santos
What was your greatest musical discovery?
-None. I'm quite sad about this, actually. I didn't listen to new music that much this year. But I like Katy Perry's new album.
What did you want and get?
- Hmmm. Let me get back to you on that. But I was really lucky in promos and giveaways. Won three blog/online promos this year!
What was your favorite film/s of this year?
- Flight, The Great Gatsby, Ekstra, Transit, On the Job.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
-26, dinner with my mom.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
-A dive. One more trip abroad. Brady.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
-Went semi-corporate because of my new company's dress code. My feet hating me for it (no more sandals).
What kept you sane?
-My journals, books, TV series, and Jay.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
-Bianca King (her home) and Agoo Bengzon.
What political issue stirred you the most?
-PDAF Scam.
Who did you miss?
-Always, my dad.
Who was the best new person you met?
-The whole editorial team. :)
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
- Leave no room for regret, just acknowledge that sometimes, you make poor decisions. Be glad you have the power to change them (October 2013).
What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself:
-"Lagi kang mukhang pleasant. Parang hindi ka nagagalit."
-"Continue being the poster girl for the editorial team! Achieve! *sparkles*"
The most touching experience you've had this year?
-My last visit to Nanay in the hospital.
What did you like most about yourself this year?
- I stuck to my responsibilities.That I didn't (well, haven't) crack under pressure.
What did you hate most about yourself this year?
-Procrastinating, and not thinking about my decisions that much.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
- "Oh this road is long, this road is wide. It takes more than luck to last the ride. It takes strength and it takes courage to survive."
Was 2013 a good year for you?
- No.
What was your favorite moment of the year?
- Dinner at Castaway Island, Coron with Jay and Nins. Talking to my 96-year-old grand-aunt.
What was your least favorite moment of the year?
-Leaving the office at 3am.
Where were you when 2013 began?
- At home, inhaling smoke and jumping like a jellybean.
Who were you with?
-Family.
Where will you be when 2013 ends?
-At Jay's home.
Who will you be with when 2013 ends?
-Jay and his family.
Do you have a new years resolution for 2014?
- Not really resolutions. More like goals.
What was your favorite month of 2013?
-May.
Did you lose anybody close to you in 2013?
-Yes.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
-My Dad and Nanay.
What was your favorite record from 2013?
-Maroon 5's Overexposed and Katy Perry's Prism.
How many concerts did you see in 2013?
- Four: The Script, Bamboo, Carly Rae (don't judge, it was free), and Fall Out Boy.
Did you drink a lot of alchohol in 2013?
- No.
Do a lot of drugs in 2013
- Do prescription drugs count?
You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
-No.
How much money did you spend in 2013?
- A LOT.
What was your proudest moment of 2013?
- Baking class. :) Oh, I was surprised when glamour.com picked up one of my blog entries. Haha! And getting back to magazine writing after two years. :)
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2013?
- Hmmm. Wala naman.
If you could go back in time to any moment of 2013 and change something, what would it be?
- Signing my name on the dotted line. Hehe.
What are your plans for 2014?
- Be more educated financially, find a more stable job, bake more and cook more.
How are you different now that the year has ended?
- More focused on the future. More wary of user-friendly people.
What are your wishes for the new year?
- For my prayers to come true!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Life Bits - Martha Stewart Dreams
It's one of the rare times I was able to get out of the office early. I hitched a ride with my officemate and got home at around eight in the evening. I wanted to do something productive so I baked a batch of banana bread. It's now cooking in the oven. I've washed the dishes and I'm waiting for my download to finish so I decided to kill time by writing this post. It's been a while. I have tons of resto bites I should be writing, but that takes so much out of me. I actually missed making an entry, just talking about my day and my many musings.
Ever since I got into my new job, I've learned a lot of new things, especially about marketing. Most of them are confidential, of course, but let's just say it opened my eyes to the way things are offered and sold to consumers. And yeah, it's hard to look at bloggers the same way again. Right now, that's all I'll say about that, maybe one day I'll expand on it, but best not to make enemies today.
What I really want to talk about is how I am such a homebody. When people find out that I live alone, they often ask me if I get lonely. I don't. I've learned the art of solitude and actually look forward to coming home to no one. I don't have to take care of anybody else, or care what I wear inside my own house, whether I leave a mess in the kitchen and take care of it in the morning. I'm perfectly fine with my books, my TV series, and decent food. Going out to clubs or drinking all night has never really been my thing. I'd rather talk to friends over good food.
But sometimes I also love having people over. It's hard because my place is small, so when I invite people it's usually at the swimming pool where I create a mini-spread. Those are the things that make me happy. I even bought my own plastic table cloth with a nice pattern, and one time I picked up a small bouquet at the supermarket and placed it on the table. Yes, I'm a Martha Stewart/Nigella Lawson/Giada Di Laurentiis/Lemon Breeland wanna-be. One day I'm gonna have a nice house with a decent lawn (maybe even a pool), where I can hold intimate dinners with my friends and their families. I'll also have a kick-ass kitchen with a long wooden, rustic dining table and a shiny island counter for my baking and cooking stuff.
Some people thrive in the corporate setting. They get a kick out of acing presentations and pitching campaigns. But me? I'm perfectly fine with being at home. Right now I have to carve my little niche in the corporate world, but I can't wait to put that pink apron on years from now. I'll have a little home office for my writing projects and little business, but my real arena will be the kitchen. Yeah, that sounds good to me. :)
Did this post really make sense? Haha. Daydreaming over, my timer just went off. Hope my officemates enjoy what I bring to the office tomorrow!
Ever since I got into my new job, I've learned a lot of new things, especially about marketing. Most of them are confidential, of course, but let's just say it opened my eyes to the way things are offered and sold to consumers. And yeah, it's hard to look at bloggers the same way again. Right now, that's all I'll say about that, maybe one day I'll expand on it, but best not to make enemies today.
What I really want to talk about is how I am such a homebody. When people find out that I live alone, they often ask me if I get lonely. I don't. I've learned the art of solitude and actually look forward to coming home to no one. I don't have to take care of anybody else, or care what I wear inside my own house, whether I leave a mess in the kitchen and take care of it in the morning. I'm perfectly fine with my books, my TV series, and decent food. Going out to clubs or drinking all night has never really been my thing. I'd rather talk to friends over good food.
But sometimes I also love having people over. It's hard because my place is small, so when I invite people it's usually at the swimming pool where I create a mini-spread. Those are the things that make me happy. I even bought my own plastic table cloth with a nice pattern, and one time I picked up a small bouquet at the supermarket and placed it on the table. Yes, I'm a Martha Stewart/Nigella Lawson/Giada Di Laurentiis/Lemon Breeland wanna-be. One day I'm gonna have a nice house with a decent lawn (maybe even a pool), where I can hold intimate dinners with my friends and their families. I'll also have a kick-ass kitchen with a long wooden, rustic dining table and a shiny island counter for my baking and cooking stuff.
Some people thrive in the corporate setting. They get a kick out of acing presentations and pitching campaigns. But me? I'm perfectly fine with being at home. Right now I have to carve my little niche in the corporate world, but I can't wait to put that pink apron on years from now. I'll have a little home office for my writing projects and little business, but my real arena will be the kitchen. Yeah, that sounds good to me. :)
Did this post really make sense? Haha. Daydreaming over, my timer just went off. Hope my officemates enjoy what I bring to the office tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Life Bits: Dealing with compliments
I saw this video on Ms. Tina's blog. I so agree with this! Most women or people in general do not know how to deal with compliments. They shrug it off and then say something negative about themselves. For example, when you tell them they lost weight, they'd say something like "No, I actually gained weight!" I do that sometimes too, but we should really not make a habit of it. Watch the video and tell me if this isn't true!
There was a time someone complimented what I was wearing and I said, "Oo nga e [ang ganda]. Thank you!" And she laughed because my reaction wasn't the usual "Hindi naman..."
I love when people compliment me and I thank them for it because it means I made the right choice in buying something or choosing to wear that something (a dress, a pair of shoes, a shade of lipstick).
Guys and girls, there's nothing wrong with saying thank you when someone throws you a compliment. It builds self-esteem. :)
There was a time someone complimented what I was wearing and I said, "Oo nga e [ang ganda]. Thank you!" And she laughed because my reaction wasn't the usual "Hindi naman..."
I love when people compliment me and I thank them for it because it means I made the right choice in buying something or choosing to wear that something (a dress, a pair of shoes, a shade of lipstick).
Guys and girls, there's nothing wrong with saying thank you when someone throws you a compliment. It builds self-esteem. :)
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