Catching Up with February

Well, that was fast. January’s done and February just slapped me in the face.

Since this year looks like it’s going to be a fast one, I thought it better to set of goals each month. I made some *cough* promises before and added a couple more.

• Save. It always feels uncomfortable if I don’t have any money. I know I’m getting older and that means I will depend less and less from my family. And I’d like them to mind themselves for a change.
• Spruce up the portfolio site. Churn out a lot of work.
• Change blog header. (Updated today but I’m not sure if I’m liking it.)
• Share Buttons: Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Linkedin (Yeah, I know.)
• Read 2 books a week. No matter how busy I’ll be, I should be able to read at least 8 books a month.
• Get fit. Go to the gym at least 3 a week.
• Study HTML and Design. Yeah. This is still going

And a plus:

I took this photo on my first week back at work. I like it because it seems sartorial but actually if you look closer, it’s not what it seems.

Me at 23

It occurred to me that I never noted anything that happened on my birthday. Not like there was a lot but hey – I’m 23.

I actually had the flu and it was nice to see people greeting me on Facebook, texting and calling to wish me a great one. For 5 years, I’ve either left before my birthday or am leaving on the day itself. I thought to take a leave and spend my birthday with my family in Cotabato. I just ate good soup, had a bit of cake, saw my friends and did a bit of work.

At 23, I think I am exactly where I want to be. I’m not saying this is a consistent position within the cosmos – it’s just that it feels just about right.

The questions and aspirations I have now in my head are in great timing. Where I might be might not technically be prepared but HOW I am, is more than willing to adapt and change. I never thought I could want anything so badly, but now I do. I guess age becomes more emphasized with every accomplishment (or absence of) that you try to work for.

To possible mistakes, adventures, victories – the recklessness and cautiousness it may bring.

Here’s to you. Here’s to me. Catch up with life at 23.

Faith

Not wanting to justify, all I can say is that the restoration of my faith is always a battle. What’s good was to be reminded that all you have to do is return to Him.

I do want to go back to Church because a part of your faith is with the community. It is social as well as personal.

I miss the Jesuits and their lectures on faith. Because it doesn’t sound like a set of rules, it sounds like a man proclaiming his faith – inspiring people open themselves as he has done.

 

James Jean in Manila

I am not an expert in art but I have my favorites. James Jean is one of them. After seeing the AIDS awareness campaign for France and reblogged photo of one of his doodles back in college I have come to know Process Recess, XOXO, Prada, and the award-winning work for Fables.

Back in the December, I saw a tweet from Fully Booked that James Jean was going back to Manila. Knowing he visited before, I couldn’t miss the chance to see him this year.

As a birthday present to myself (among other things) I booked a flight back to Manila early and zipped from the airport to Ateneo de Manila for the talk. Owe Tippi Sy and insta-friend Crisel Eslao for saving me a seat and a place in line.

He reminded me of Wayne Campbell because he constantly tucked his hair behind his ear. The talk was funny and inspiring, I was very glad I made it. I think it wouldn’t be as much fun at the signing because I wouldn’t get to hear his thoughts on his work and why he retired as an illustrator and moved on as a painter. Bonus part would be the hilarious Q&A tidbits.

L-R: 1st Row: Tippi and Crisel, Tippi’s signed book, 2nd Row: Me, Fangirl-ing,         3rd Row: Me and Tipper, 4th Row: My favorite post card from the XOXO series, signed by James Jean.

Photos from the awesome Crisel Eslao

One of my favorites. Plus one of the first pieces I’ve seen by James Jean.

Modeled by Maria Ozawa, he has a jewelry line that recently came out.

James Jean is a Taiwanese-American visual artist who grew up in New Jersey. And he’s all kinds of awesome. 

To see his work visit:

http://www.jamesjean.com/

http://www.ovmlove.com/

Follow him on Twitter:

@jamesjeanart

It’s More Fun in the Philippines!

I’ve been weird with posting new stuff. I get started then it gets steamrollered by work or other interesting things. But there’s no excuse for not recording this milestone. Months of hard work from the whole agency and here you go:

But as Sec. Jimenez put it. “This is not my campaign. This is not BBDO’s campaign. This is not DOT’s campaign. This campaign belongs to everybody.”

Visit itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

Boy Knows His Kicks: Keds

Had a very frustrating day today. But whatev – it’s Christmas! Almost.

Rish gave me presents. Whee!

I seriously need to fix my shit with the scheduling thing. I hang my head in shame since I haven’t had the time to shop for any of my loved ones.

Ume-emote paa ko niyan. Promise.

I’ve been obsessed with Keds since…I don’t know when. I took a sneaker break when I had my job though. But nothing beats the comfortable classics. I’ve been seeing these babies for a while now. The January boot (how apt!) can be converted to semi-high tops because of the soft material. I especially like the pattern inside and the tiny details of the leather circle and red stripes.

I have Lion King bed sheets. Get over it. 

Also lusting for these:

It’s like my boot’s lower-cut cousin! But I told myself I’ll lay-off until I sell my old shoes. People think I have a bit of a shoe problem when it comes to sneakers.

Wishing you all the best of luck in shopping for the next few days.

Merry Kreesmas!

Sendong

Sometimes, when trouble strikes we either watch or take action. We unfortunately watch most of the time. But it’s great to see that a lot of people have been packing up relief goods and sending in their donations to the Sendong victims. It would be a lot better if you sent something too.

A little help really does go a long way.

Here are some ways you can extend your support:

1. Text

Shared by friends from Rene Dominguez’s Facebook

There are 25 million Filipinos on Facebook. If each one donates 5 pesos to Red Cross we could raise 125 million for Sendong victims.

Here’s how (from the Philippine Red Cross website):
SMS
Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)
G-Cash
Text DONATE<space>AMOUNT<space>4-digit M-PIN<space>REDCROSS to 2882

You can donate the following denominations:
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000

Source

2. Deposit

Philippine Red Cross.

BPI: 4991-0036-52

Metrobank: 151-3-041631228

BDO: 00-453-0018647

Updates on how much are raised will be from their website. http://www.redcross.org.ph/

3. Pack Up and Send

If you send your donations via LBC, it’s free.

Things people will need: clothes, slippers or shoes, blankets, sanitary napkins for the ladies, toiletries, canned goods.

Let’s all help to make things better. Especially during the Christmas season.

You

Make me swim to the inky depths of the ocean and I face my fears.

Make me more open to the world, disregarding possession.

Let me leave.

Let me stay.

Always curious.

Always new.

You are a blessing.

An inspiration.

And true.

Photos: Recent Food Encounters

 

 

McdDonald’s Plain Muffin

I may not like the new McDonald’s breakfast bread for my Sausage McMuffin, but it’s definitely good with their strawberry preserve.

Yum-o!

Marga’s Cupcakes

My officemate, Corey, gave us cupcakes from her daughter, Meia’s, birthday.

Her birthday was at 11-11-11, how cool was that?

Plus, Marga’s cupcakes are always awesome.

Mrs. May’s 

I usually ignore these on the Starbuck’s counter. Finally tried it out of curiosity.

I prefer their sunflower seeds better.

Pumpkin Crunch takes a pretty picture, though!

Kitchen in Greenbelt 3

I remember eating at Kitchen in Robinson’s Galleria. We used to call it the Anonymous  Kitchen – my theory is that it’s the same owner of the old Anonymous retail store. But that’s just my guess -anyway!

I missed it! Ate there a couple of times this month.

Egg On Salad

Another batch of cupcakes!

My sister bought mini-cupcakes, aren’t they cute? I don’t know where these are from tho. My favorite’s the cookie-colored one with the dollop of cream on top. They tasted like chocolate chip cookies with peanut butter. Whee!

Lugang Cafe

Went with relatives to settle the Xiao Long Bao debate.

I don’t really care, it’s always good for me!

Their iced desserts were delicious. I recommend the peanut with black sesame. 

And I ask myself why the hell am I gaining weight.

Figures.

Grocery Discoveries: Pure&Best Milk

Some time ago, my sisters and I went to S&R to shop. While ogling at ice cream, someone was handing out samples of milk. After trying them, I seriously had a flashback to my childhood. Their fresh milk variant reminded me of home.

It’s a different kind of taste when the milk is packed without too many preservatives and Pure&Best is like that. I guess for those who like Mr. Moo in Tagaytay, this can be an alternative.

I personally like the low fat vanilla variant. It tastes like ice cream!

My friend Kat was raving about the milk cartons in Shopwise and I was psyched that it was actually Pure & Best who changed their plastic bottles to milk cartons.

My sister got me one since she knows I like milk and I like pretty food packaging. I went crazy when I saw how the 711 in Hong Kong had all these well designed milk boxes. 

Here’s how to open it without the use of scissors.

1. After pushing back the flats, find the slit where all of the edges meet.

2. Pull back and voila!

The packaging is a bit fibrous. So it’s not as easy to open without scissors. The should usually be a tab for milk cartons to open it well. The problem without snipping it with scissors is that the mouth is too wide. Just be careful when taking a sip!

See more products from Hacienda Macalauan, here.