Miladyness~*

Stay Impassioned! -- A Guide For Artists

2012-02-08T14:00:00.003+08:00

There are those times when you just can't get things done. It's either you don't feel like doing anything or you're too hyped up to do so many of them that you end up actually not getting over with any. Let's face it -- "off days" exist but they can pretty much be considered good and healthy. When you're having an "off day" and creativity has faded from your system, your mind seems to block any idea from entering and your body is in need of rest, then you probably should listen to these signs and chill out a bit. Taking a day off on an "off day" (lol, don't mind this) helps you recharge for activities to be tended the day after.

(Photo from here~)
Although it doesn't hurt to be pampered during an "off day," when it becomes a habit, putting things off for a later time hinders you from living a life that's truly great. To energize yourself and get on with your craft, pump your day up with these tips:

1. Say farewell to perfection. An obstacle that you must surpass is your own vision of what's "best." Perfection just serves as a barrier from the real goal. There are two concepts of this and their effects are also mentioned below.

Case # 1: You've planned well enough to illustrate something. It's just that... you can't get to perfect one tiny part of the artwork. You've been erasing and drawing and erasing and drawing for hours and the canvass is about to be messed up from excessive friction caused by your eraser. You have two options: start from scratch or just continue with it. If you choose the first one, you'll spend more hours, but there's no assurance that you'll get it this time. With the latter choice, once you are finally done with the part where you slightly made a mistake and you're satisfied with it, there will be too much eraser marks and you won't really like it that way. See? It's just so difficult and guaranteed, you'll waste time and effort with either of the two options.

Case # 2: Due to what happened in the first case, you weren't able to finish the illustration. It's been months since your last attempt to make art. Dust has accumulated on your materials which you threw off into your storage room. Ideas blossom in your mind from time to time but your dismay prevents you from moving. "I might not be able to achieve a perfect artwork. Maybe I can't really draw. Maybe I should not really draw."

Both cases happen to people, even the best of artists. Keep in mind that even the greatest artwork has a hint of being human in it -- a little error here and there, a small mistake in this or that part.

Also, you're still young. You have decades to work on your craft and improve your skill. Treating each work as your last won't help that much. Never ever expect your piece to be the best. A masterpiece blossoms after several takes, after many sketches. Each piece is an opportunity to train, to practice... but remember to do what you can. This is what I've learned from my ever-so-talented graphic artist friends.

Another thing. You'd think your work needs to be perfect so you can be discovered... so you can be in the same level as your idols. After a few finished products, you'd grow exhausted from making stuff. You'd start comparing yourself and eventually, you'd think that you're no match against billions of aspiring artists (singers, designers, whatever your chosen craft may be) around the world because your art style isn't sophisticated enough, isn't elaborate and grandiose as the famous ones' highly-acclaimed pieces. Guess what? This notion is proved wrong by many. It's just a matter of hard work, confidence and proper timing.

A special man doesn't know that he has taught me this valuable principle. His art style is very quaint, simple, yet colorful; it's like those prominently found in a children's illustrated storybook. He's not too focused on details, but the way he adds a hint of "himself" (being such a cheerful guy) to every artwork through the playful arrangement of colors is purely passionate -- and because of this, impressive. This shows that every artist has a different way of doing his thing, and his respective style doesn't make him less of an artist. It's the cause within that counts. He said he loves to make people happy and inspired with the use of his creativity. That's just wonderful. Breathtaking.

So, in simple terms... you don't have to ensure what you do is perfect or the best. When you know you've put all your heart into it, it's undeniably amazing. Trust me. :)

2. Indulge. While working, it's hard if you just focus your sight into a blank paper without anything in the background. That experience is absolutely a mimicry of a mechanical robot's routine. Every move is measured, everything is plain and technical. When you're doing something, it's great if you pour every bit of you into it -- not just your mind or what knowledge you have. It's essential to be yourself in every task, and what better way to feel yourself than to add a little "you" in the background! Listen to your favorite song (or songs of your favorite singer/band!), but don't turn the volume too loud or you might have a difficulty in concentrating.

Some people find this a distraction, but you can do this before work time. Eat your favorite food -- perhaps a cupful of parfait. Delight in beautiful photos of places you want to travel to, a pet you'd love to own, or images of the people you wholeheartedly cherish. Light a relaxing aroma candle. Order your fave frappe. Let all your sense be enveloped by the things you enjoy so you can perform at your best!

What works for me is listening to my fave mellow Japanese tracks while writing or finishing an assigned task. Since you know how I'm a sucker for pretty, vintage things, I sometimes go to a popular social networking site and view the blogs I "follow." The ambient snapshots take me to a particular zen state that motivates me to do what I have to. Some photos remind me of my time in Nihon, year 2010, and that's when I get a boost.

When you're feeling wonderful, that's when you gather the most impressive ideas! Plus... daydreaming. Always remind yourself of your goals in the future -- what you want to accomplish, what you're reaching for -- and surely, you'll get a head start!

3. Positivism. This has something to do with both 1st and 2nd tips in a related manner. Having a positive outlook helps a lot. When you're an optimist, you'll find beauty in your craft. You'll accept that even if it's imperfect, it's lovely. It's captivating. It's alluring. You won't compare your product to other artists' works. It's because you're confident with yours.

When you're an optimist, you can work with ease even without preparing yourself (or with less indulgence).

When you're an optimist, you see that you're just steps away from your dream. And you'll not give in to a shortcut, or give up when faced with challenges.

When you're an optimist, you look at every failure as a chance to stand and rebuild.

But it's easier said than done. Some people aren't just born optimists. Well, if this doesn't work alone, a little bit of tip number 2 will do wonders! :)

4. Surround yourself with love. Passion is optimized by inspiration. Spend time with friends and family and share with them your creations. Maybe your beloveds are also skilled in that same aspect, and they could give you additional instructions (and support!) For me, love is the greatest motivation. I enthusiastically do stuff when I know that the people I care for will benefit from it, and that they will be very glad once I'm successful in finishing that job.

My BFF Janina is my favorite writer. She's the one I always look up to when it comes to literary arts. It's great to have a best friend as your idol, since it's automatically an added splash of inspiration whenever the two of you talk. I learn from her as we exchange ideas. She lets me read her stories, too! :)

Knowing that your loved ones are always there to cheer for you gives you a certain high... and you suddenly feel ready to start a new project!

5. Commit yourself to the Almighty God. And this is, indeed, the best tip among all. Let Him guide you. Let Him energize you every time you're finding it hard to start (or finish) something. Let Him show you the best way to perform a task. Let Him aid you in thinking and planning. Let Him pave the way to a triumphant project. Let Him sculpt you as a student. An artist. A professional.

Dedicate your work to Him and you'll see it blossom before your eyes. He'll help you from the very first stroke of the brush (or word in your story, or whatever you're aiming to complete) to the very last. Pray. Dream. Believe. Succeed. Pray. Let this be your cycle.

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I hope the aforementioned tips will help you, sweeties, feel better about yourself, your talent, your hobby and your work. Reach your dreams and take a flight... with flair~ *winks*

Vitamin PF: Pretty Food // JiPan~

2012-02-04T15:38:00.015+08:00

(Background from here~)

I'm certainly thankful to the Almighty God that this week hasn't been as busy as the last one and I was free to do a little gaming in between work days and day outs. Just as I posted last Saturday, I went to a hotel with my family for a fun and elegant celebration of one of my closest girls' coming-of-age partehy. I was sooooo glad to see some of our common friends there, as well (and I had the opportunity to meet new ones~)! More info about this to follow after, perhaps, 2-3 blog posts. xD

Your dose of Vitamin PF for this week is... Pretty Food!

We seldom stroll around malls outside the city unless we had the chance to pass by one during occasional travels; the only mall we frequent four to five times a month is the one near us (approximately a 30-minute ride from our home). Last month, when we attended Father Suarez's Healing Mass for the first time in Glorietta, my Mama and I had our dinner at this pleasant Japanese bakeshop + restaurant.

(Photo taken from here~)

I was delighted to see such wide variety of bread, ranging from french, arabian, and (you guessed it right!), Japanese! Anpan, shokupan, karepan (just like my cousin Riki-kun's favorite children's anime song goes -- from Anpanman)... take your pick! Sandwiches and sweetbreads are also available.

I didn't bother choosing from the wide assortment of breads before my eyes since we needed to hurry; on the contrary, you could say that I was really excited to finish having dinner so we could shop for bread right after.

Moving on, what I ordered was chashu ramen, which is what I personally consider the ichiban type of this noodle soup! I miss afternoons with my Tita (aunt) in Kurihama eating at this cozy ramen house called Marugen Ramen. Anyways, my Mama had my ultimate favorite food, gyudon, although she said she wasn't really satisfied with the taste -- she's really meticulous when it comes to stuff, hihi~

While waiting for the food, I turned my attention to the newspapers hanging from a stand. What caught my interest was the Japanese one and take note, it was a recent issue! It would be better if they could buy some magazines from Nihon, too! ;)

(Fresh news served directly from Nihon!)
Also, there was this complimentary green tea! It was really convenient, for they offer both cold and hot variants, so you have freedom of choice, yay! This actually made me reminisce dining in Nihon. Most food places offer free oolong tea or green tea for customers.

(Photo from here. I got to take a snapshot of my glass of cold green tea but my hair was a bit unkempt that time, so yeah... not posting it! :P)

At last! Our meals were served and I was pretty much contented with mine~ The chashu pieces weren't as soft and juicy as the ones in Marugen, but it was a great experience since not all Japanese restos offer ramen types other than with bases (shoyu or miso).

(Scrumptious, warm bowl of chashu ramen, yay~)

Japanese nationals actually enjoy shopping at JiPan. One elderly Nihonjin was searching for the newspaper and borrowed it from me. (I was really shy to speak -- the moment was very sudden and unprecedented -- so I just bowed as I was handing it to him.) Apparently, he was there all alone, eating by himself on the tables outside the foodshoppe.

Then, there was this lovely family composed of a tall father, a charming mother, a loud little boy (probably age 5), his younger brother who seemed to be around 1-2 years old carried by their okaasan, and a fashionable grandmother. I was pretty sure the first four family members were purely Japanese, but I wasn't that certain about the grandmother 'coz she slightly looked like a native of our country. The little kid was definitely amusing! He kept on pleading to his "papa" to buy him some onigiri to the point that he was about to cry. If only it wasn't shameful to buy him one, I would have quickly given it to him! I felt better when his otosan finally bought him the onigiri. :3

He was running round the not-so-spacious bakeshop and he kinda bumped into my side while I was eating. His mother was very apologetic. I shyly responded with, "That's okay," although I know I should have said, "Iie. Daijoubu desu," but I was reaaaaally ashamed. (Awkward~)

Finally, two elderly Japanese men went inside to buy some anpan. After that set of customers, Mama finally emptied her bowl. I was almost done with my dinner so she went ahead to shop for bread. When she had paid for the yummy pans she bought, I was also finished with my ramen!

The next day, my Mama consumed the okonomiyaki from JiPan and she was completely amazed! She mentioned it tasted just like the original in Nihon! I'm looking forward to visiting the shop again some other time~ *winks*

You, sweeties, know how much I love anything and everything Japanese, so you're 100% sure I enjoyed this experience. Well, you're undeniably right! I suggest you go try it yourself if you're residing in the Philippines.

The main store can be found here:
#220 Pilar St., Mandaluyong City
T: (632) 723-5517 / 718-3891

Branches are in:

Upper Level, SM Megamall, Building A (near Toy Kingdom)

2nd Level, Glorietta 4

For more info, visit these food/travel blogs' entries which I found interesting:

Casa Veneracion

All Things Manila

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Hope your hunger for yummy goodies was quenched by this eppie of Vitamin PF!
If you know other must-visit Japanese restos 'round the metro, please do let me know~ :)

Catch Vitamin PF every Saturday only here on Miladyness~* Stay tuned for more treats! All featured images and properties belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Vitamin PF: Pretty Fashion // White Shorts

2012-01-28T12:41:00.003+08:00

(Background from here~)

Hey there, sweeties! This week is unexpectedly a busier one compared to the last, so here I am with a super short blog post. Actually, I still have to attend an extremely important debut party of a close friend and I'm off to the salon in a while. I'll keep you posted by blogging about it if time permits. For this eppie, we have... Vitamin Pretty Fashion!

In tune with the length of this post, I've decided that the topic for this week's Vitamin PF is about shorts! (Yes, that piece of clothing~) Aside from dresses, another get-up I usually don is the shorts+blouse one. I have several of these pretty mini bottoms in different colors, but I'm currently craving (shopping- and fashion-wise) for a white one!

(Seen here~)

White is one of the colors I consider lovely since it gives an ethereal and clean feel. I don't know why I haven't bought any white shorts yet, although it's on the top of my 'to-shop' list this season. :)

(Bagged here~)

Oh, and have I mentioned I love bags like this? I guess it's best paired with white shorts!

(Starred here~)

I'm not sure if I would dare wear a starry miniscule shorts like this with star patterns. xD

(Laced here~)

A pair of lacy white shorts! I used to see teens flaunting this kind of outfit in Nihon, Summer-Autumn of 2010. It would be awesome to try this, as well!

(Spotted here~)

Finally, this one -- white shorts paired with brown belt... just fantastic! I'd love my white shorts with a frilly pinkish/floral blouse on top, if you're gonna ask me~ :3

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Are you a fan of white shorts, too? Do let me know! :)

Catch Vitamin PF every Saturday only here on Miladyness~* Stay tuned for more treats! All featured images and properties belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Vitamin PF: Pretty Food // Pancakes!

2012-01-18T16:56:00.004+08:00

(Background from here~)

Today's that day of the week when we're free to relax and spend some chill time! Complement your weekend with this Saturday's serving of Vitamin PF! This week has been a tiring one for me. We went out several times and the destinations were really far from home; you could guess how exhausted we were. Thankfully, I received a good news from my BFF Janina -- she passed the entrance exams of two universities! Oh, how proud I am! :3

Moving on, fresh off the stove is your dose of Pretty Food~

I don't know why but since the holiday season, pancakes have been associated with my Internet speech and my life in general. I'd say "That's great! Now let's go eat some pancakes!" or "*makes pancakes and sends it straight to your dining table*," and even "Please click this link and I'll send you pancakes!" Maybe it's because I'm just sooooo fascinated with these floured goodies. What's not to like about 'em? They're easy to make and they can be topped and paired with almost anything!

(Been baked here~)
Prefer the good ol' plain pancake topped with butter and glazed with maple syrup? My Mama loves this simple combo!

(Served warm here~)

How about another all-time fave? Pancakes with a scoop of ice cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup! I'm pretty sure any ice cream flavor goes well with it. :)

(Sprinkled and garnished here~)

I haven't really tried eating something like this. You have a deck topped with whipped cream, strawberry syrup, a small pancake, and strawberry. Then, there's this panacotta, plus... a whopping scoop of vanilla ice cream! I'd love to share this with someone special given the chance to order this, hihi!

(Feast in here~)

Ooops! This is topping overload! Berries, banana slices, oranges... take your pick!

(Chipped here~)

This popular variety is the one I make often. Chocochip pancakes absolutely hit the spot!

(Fruity delight from here~)

Here's the best pancake combo if you're gonna ask me! The sweetness of pancakes is countered by the sour twist of berries. It's undoubtedly a healthy treat~ *winks*

It's not an easy job to stroll around the market in search for fresh strawberries, so ripe mango is a great alternative! Whichever way they're served, I personally believe that pancakes are best consumed with a warm cup of tea... on a Spring afternoon, at a veranda, jazz music playing in the background, with your beloveds! :)

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Had multiple eyegasms from this eppie's photoset? Hope you'll tune in again next week!
Now go grab some pancakes of your own, sweeties! *sends some*

Catch Vitamin PF every Saturday only here on Miladyness~* Stay tuned for more treats! All featured images and properties belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Vitamin PF: Pretty Fashion // Tangerine Tango

2012-01-14T16:31:00.004+08:00

(Background from here~)

It's Saturday! You all know what we have during this day of the week -- Vitamin PF! I'm in the process of revamping a few things so this is just a quick post. And for the second eppie of this new segment, we have... Pretty Fashion!

Ready to work your way year-round? Turn every place into a runway with this year's top trends! For the basics, know what color hits the spot in Spring 2012... Tangerine Tango!

(Mosaic of all pretty things tangerine from here~)
Not into the juicy goodness of this color? Can't imagine yourself wearing a tangerine dress or shirt on your way to the mall? Worry not! You don't have to smear yourself with this hip color. Wear an accessory with hints of tangerine and you're good to go!

Squidoo's fashion section provides a breezy list of all things tangerine. Fancy a handbag from Calvin Klein? A Ralph Lauren thong sandal of the same color? Maybe a tie for your dad? Great picks of cosmetics and perfumes that shout "Tangerine!" are included, as well. And if you'd like to bring that orange-y twist to your humble abode, browse some artworks for display.

According to the same source:

"Tangerine is a brilliant color that attracts a lot of attention . It looks best when paired with black and darker shades of blue or with white, off-white and lighter neutral colors.

Gold jewelry compliments all shades of Tangerine."

As for me, here are my picks. I would actually love to wear these if I had one of each, hihi~

(Left: Dangle bracelet from here // Right: Lovely summer coordinate from here)

(Orange Mango dress found here~)
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Go on and spread these fab finds to your glam sisters. Happy weekend, everyone!

Catch Vitamin PF every Saturday only here on Miladyness~* Stay tuned for more treats! All featured images and properties belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Yearly To-Do List: 2012

2012-01-10T16:21:00.005+08:00

(Background from here~)
Did you have tons of fun during the first weekend of the new year? If you did, then keep it up! *smiles* Well, another great way to start the year is to list goals and keep track of accomplishments to be sure that you're making 2012 worthwhile! In 2011, I posted a list of the stuffs I'd like to achieve before the year ends. Let's have a recap and find out how far I've gone, shall we?

~*Record my first Vlog
Awesome! I actually made one last May. It was some sort of announcement regarding my hiatus period, and additionally, special greetings to my sweeties.

~*Do at least 5 Vlogs this year (Progress: 5/5)
Ohwow, this is great~ I was able to complete the planned number of entries! The aforementioned first Vlog was superseded by four more: the second one was an audition viddie, third was shot during my first day in college, fourth was me singing an anime song, and fifth, a surprise greeting for a couple's second anniversary. (These were uploaded privately on Youtube.)

~*Attend two anime/Japan-related events
Uhm... not quite. The only anime convention I attend last year was UP AME's Monogatari 2011. But at least, this was half-accomplished, hihi!

~*Write at least 15 poems (Progress: 9/15)
I'm really surprised that I scored 9 out 15 here! Most of the poems I made last year were in English. And one of 'em was even published in a university organization's paper! Oh, I'm truly thankful to the Almighty God for this blessing~ :)

~*Write at least 30 songs (Progress: 8/30)
Ohnoez. This was a bit alarming, though. Oftentimes, I am capable of writing more songs than poems, but maybe the tight schedule I had last year affected it. Well, let's see how many songs I may be able to write this year! Cheers~

~*Finish writing one short story
I did two! The first one was a school requirement, but I didn't feel that its plot was thoroughly crafted. The second one, though, is something I'm proud of! It's a result of a task I was assigned to finish for an org's paper. The compliments I received about it were absolutely flattering. :)

~*Accomplish even just half of my new novel
I was duly occupied by academic works last year so I didn't have much time to pay attention to my new novel. On a lighter note, I was able to get pass chapter 5!

~*Record at least 5 audio posts (Progress: 0/5)
Here's what happened... I had completely forgotten about this due to loads of stuff I had to do for school. Anyways, I'll see to it that this goal gets done this year!

~*Read one book before summer ends
Although I wasn't able to finish reading a book last summer, a course requirement paved the way to get this goal done! I've read "The Giver" for school. xD It's such an admirable book if you're fond of sci-fi stories!

~*Write 15 essays (formal or informal) (Progress: 5/15)
Eeeeep. Well, 5 informal essays... definitely fine! Add this rough count to the mountains of formal essays, research papers and assessment portfolio required to be done for school and off you go! :P

~*Be able to make all of my postponed posts before summer ends
Technically... accomplished! :) Yay~

~*Do a collab cover with my BFF Janina
Due to time constraints, this was aborted. xD Maybe this year! *fingers crossed*

~*Launch a more fun and less nerdy blog segment (Haha~)
I just did! Take your weekly dose of Vitamin PF and you'll feel a lot better! :) (Oh, and I hope you'll like this segment, dearies!)

~*Celebrate Miladyness' 2nd blog birthday!
Not in a super fancy way, though, since the bloggie was still in hiatus last June. However, its relaunch last October pretty much made up for it! ;)

And finally...

~*Post the Annual Wrap-up on the last day of the year
Accomplished this -- not precisely on the last of the year, but -- a week ago! Point your cursor here if you'd like to read it! :3

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Now, here are those which I'm planning to do or achieve this year! This list is slightly lengthier than the previous one to make up for such a long hiatus period in 2011. Lookin' forward to finishing these goals before 2012 ends~

Write my first ever fanfic
Write at least 20 songs (Progress: 0/20)
Write at least 15 poems (Progress: 0/15)
Finish writing two short stories (Progress: 0/2)
Finish at least Chapter 10 of my new novel (Progress: 5/10)
Publicly upload a Vlog
Record at least two audio posts (Progress: 0/2)
Launch another fanlisting
Read one book this year
Attend two anime/Japan-related events (Progress: 0/2)
Cover at least 5 songs (Progress: 0/5)
Write at least 15 essays (formal or informal) (Progress: 0/15)
Write my first formal script for a play
Conduct my first blog contest
Launch another segment exclusively for summer
Post another Food Trip entry
Celebrate Miladyness' 3rd blog birthday with a blast!

One more thing...

Post the Annual Wrap-up on the last day of the year

Would love to hear about your goals for 2012, too! Much love, sweeties~ *winks*

Vitamin PF: Pretty Fun // Introduction

2012-01-07T22:02:00.009+08:00

(Background from here~)
First weekend of the year! Is everybody having fun? I was really surprised when I got a chance to partehy last night while at work with my aunt via Skype. We even had a duet, and take note... it was my fave song! If I were in Nihon, I could have stayed all night; nevertheless, I enjoyed! *giggles*

Tonight's a Saturday and I'd like to share the cheer by launching a fresh segment for the bloggie! Yes, you've read it right~ A brand new segment has commenced through this post! You might be wondering what this is about, so here's something like a short guide to get you started:

Vitamin PF is your weekly dose of just about everything hip and hawt! It's an installment consisting of three different tiers, although there's no particular order to follow. I won't be telling which will come after another so the essence of anticipating won't be messed up! It varies every Saturday, but I guarantee you that no two entries of the same division would be posted consecutively.

Vitamin Pretty Food. A fan of aesthetically appealing dishes and snacks? Want to stimulate your appetite by viewing photos of scrumptious food? Fond of having eyegasms while searching for sweets and desserts? Here's the right Vitamin PF variety for you! This one's definitely for gourmet aficionados! Posts under this category include food photos, recipes, restaurants and other food places!
Vitamin Pretty Fashion. Are you into glitz and glam? Know the latest trends in and out of the country; plus, get to learn my clothing picks! (Although I'm not great with style, I really love learning (and sharing) things about clothes, shoes, bags and accessories!) Excerpts from fashion blogs and snapshots of celebs donning fab coordinates are featured in this tier!
Vitamin Pretty Fun. You can go totally random with this category! Cool events to watch out for, awesome places to hang out with your friends, captivating out-of-town destination ideas, great artists to listen to, entertaining shows to watch, amusing Internet trends... almost anything fun you could think of! Oh, and here's another treat -- I'll be featuring links of sites and blogs I find fitting in this section! I'm pretty sure there'll be a lot to include here!

Feeling more excited now? Let's begin our very first Vitamin PF eppie!

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For this week, we have Vitamin Pretty Fun!

Visit Super Happy Awesome Here!
Get updated with all the quirks and news about Japan... straight from Japan! Sean and Alice take you to a roller-coaster ride as they embark on their journey in the Land of the Rising Sun. Traditional culture, festive celebrations, creatively-made CMs, Japanese gastric delights, and everyone's favorite... the out-of-the-ordinary pop culture this country has! Oh, and remember to keep up with their weekly Engrish serving! If you're such a fan of Japanese stuff, better check this site out!

Don't forget to drop a message on my chatterbox or comment on this post and tell me what you think about it! :)

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That's it for this week, sweeties! Hope you enjoyed the first eppie of our new segment~
Have a great weekend! *sends hugs and kisses*

Catch Vitamin PF every Saturday only here on Miladyness~* Stay tuned for more treats! All featured images and properties belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Annual Wrap-Up: 2011

2012-01-05T15:16:00.005+08:00

(Background from here~)
It's the first week of the new year! How are you doing so far, sweeties? Has the resumption of classes filled your month's to-do list with requirements? Frequenting the gym to lose that holiday-acquired weight? Chillin' out and starting the year with relaxation so you can have more energy to spend for the next 12 months? Or already spending most of your time and effort on work so you'll be stable all-year-long? Whether you've chosen this or that, be sure to start the year right! *winks* Here's how I spent my 2011!

January

I shuffle'd!
Been awarded as a Stylish Blogger.
Reminisced my GRANDuation.

February

Retold how I got AMPF'd!
Had spread the love in tune with Valentine's~
Gave clues regarding my first giveaway.
Welcomed the Senior Year flick.
Unveiled L'amour~

March

Warmed up for Summer.
Wrapped up the past year (although kinda late, hihi)~
Listed the things I absolutely miss in High School.
Introduced a nifty way to get smart every Saturday! Started this educational eppie.
Bumped up five of the most memorable things in High School.
Provided you all with samples from our yearbook.

April

Got a hold of a list of things to do for the whole year.
Told you about the WDs. Narrated my Senior Year.
Went on a second round of food trip in Nihon!
Enchanted you with my sweetest sixteen.

May

Became a cosplay-singer.
Captivated you with a dreamy symphony.
Celebrated the end of a successful eppie.
Went on a second, longer announced hiatus.

June

Greeted "Ola, Kolehiyala!" Started my journey as a college student.
Miladyness turned two! Lovely~

July

Experienced the grandeur of a ~mate's debut.
Walked as a Thomasian Freshman.

August

Survived our first-ever Preliminary Exams.
Joined several organizations.

September

Was wholly occupied with academic requirements.
Visited my high school campus during a day-off.

October

Finished off an entire semester with flying colors, yay!
Turned splendid seventeen!
Let Miladyness blossom with passion. Relaunched!
Got tagged with ten! Then with eleven!

November

Food tripped around the University.
Won my second award as a cosplay-singer.

December

Gave you a glance of Winter.
Took a chance to be beautified this Christmas.
Presented some brilliant ideas for gift-giving during the Holidays!
Was tagged and got my handwriting tested.
Whipped up a creative treat for the Holidays!
Wished you all a festive cheer for the season~
Showered my affection towards the Holidays!

Year 2011 was a roller-coaster ride filled with challenging activities, accomplishments, fun and a whole lot of love! I'm hopin' that we'll all have more opportunities to reach for our goals this 2012. May we be more motivated and truly fruitful this year of the Water Dragon! Here's to a blessed year ahead! GO~ :)

Miladyness' Fifteen Things I Love About the Holidays

2011-12-30T16:22:00.005+08:00

It seems like we just celebrated Christmas yesterday, and now, we're nearing the end of the current year! Whether you're gonna be lighting firecrackers tomorrow, or just going to enjoy a peaceful, yet eventful countdown with your beloveds indoors, I hope you'll be safe and steady. However, before we welcome the new year with a bang, you might wanna check this nifty guide to enjoying the New Year's Eve, which I made last year. Hope it would help you even just a bit! *smiles*

(Photo taken from here~)

Meanwhile, I'd like to share with you the things I super love about the Holidays. This season might be a favorite for some, and -- I must say -- I am one of those people! Just like the ol' carol goes, "T'is the season to be jolly!" Weeks before the actual event, we can already feel the rush in malls (and even in the comfort of our own homes! *hintdecorshint*), that surely revives the spirit of passion and bliss within. Once the third week of December comes, you'll surely feel a different kind of magic in the atmosphere. So, here's a list of those which makes the holidays such a delightful affair!

Winter Breeze. Honestly, we only have two seasons here in my part of the world. Although that's true, a cool, soothing breeze starts to prance once the twelfth month begins. It's definitely colder than the winds of July-September (rainy season), and it traditionally signals the start of the holidays. This is usually accompanied by the phenomenon of having longer nights than mornings; 4 in the afternoon would appear as if it's already 7 in the evening!
Splendor. Decors in every dwelling: lanterns, ornaments, Christmas tree, mistletoe, wreaths, Christmas lights, Belen, stars... name it, you have it! Beauty is in everyone's sight during the holidays. The festive vibe is at heart whenever we hang those pretty decorations that invite the holiday cheer! Green, red and gold... let the season of love unfold~!
Lists. Whether it's a wishlist, a grocery list, a to-do list, or your very own list of New Year's Resolutions, this season is full of notes and checks! These are handy tools that let us keep up with everything we have to do, buy, get, make, and the likes! What you're currently reading is a valid example, hihi~ :3
Christmas carols. Prominently, once the 1st of September is displayed on your calendar, local radio stations start to play popular songs that portray the season. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "White Christmas," "Jingle Bells," "Silver Bells," and more! We, in the Philippines, mostly feel excited once we hear "Pasko Na Naman," which literally translates to "It's Christmas Time Once Again!" xD And mind you, these jolly carols don't just stay in your humble abode nor your car radio... they follow you even in malls!
Sales. I must say... I'm really a mall-goer! Everyone benefits from Christmas sales, most especially those who will be given presents! You'll get to buy what your hunnie, best friend, and parents like at cheaper prices. This way, you could get a little something for yourself too! Fancy a 50% off? Some even go all the way to 80%! Affordable rates = more gifts = more people being shared with the holiday spirit!
Santa Claus. Since I'm truly fond of children, I certainly treasure the feeling of hearing adorable kids talk about him! The innocent wonder behind their eyes as they try uncover who Santa Claus really is, or what they would receive from him this year is absolutely a heartwarming sight! Saint Nicholas is a symbol (and patron) of generosity that contributes to the essence of the season. Oh, and that he motivates us to be extremely good and perform laudable deeds every year is an amazing thing, as well!
Artsy and Crafty. Simply the best season to let the creative juice flow! Some prefer to give handmade presents rather than spending dime over typical gifts. Others make their own decors out of recycled materials (which is utterly good for our environment, too~)! Even gift-wrapping requires a certain skill! This is the best time to share your talent and be an artist yourself!
Fireworks. Katy Perry's "Firework" is a funky song; although, I'm talking about those that light up the sky during New Year's Eve! I'm not sure about other countries, but here in ours, teens (usually boys) love to buy firecrackers and use them even a few days before Christmas! Malls include outdoor fireworks display in their schedules for the month of December. SM Malls -- the country's premier mall company -- light fireworks every Sunday of the month, and believe me... it's such a great sight!
Concerts and Events. The cheerfulness of the season is an awesome cause for holding fun-filled performances of artists and celebrities. Bars and malls invite famous stars to entertain people and add up to the lively atmosphere! New Year's Eve is the time when TV networks spearhead Countdown Concerts featuring local singers and bands, which are aired live from either a stadium or an outdoor location. Fans can come and join the celebration as audiences, while viewers can watch it live at home!
Parties/Fun! Oh, don't let me get started on this one! Everybody loves to partehy~ xD From youngsters attending school Christmas parties, to adolescents bar- and club-hopping nightly, to young professionals having tons of fun with workmates! Food, liquor (not for kids, though, hihi!), singing, dancing, games... what more could you ask for?! *winks*
Gourmet Goodness! Anyone who enjoys cooking is guilty of this one~ This season provides the best time for those who love to whip up sumptuous dishes and treats! Right here, we have Noche Buena (Christmas Midnight Feast) and Media Noche (New Year's Feast), when women are quite occupied with kitchen works. It's lovely when pretty children decide to have fun assisting their grandmas/moms/older sisters/aunts, as well! And who wouldn't feel nice if the men of the households join in? I myself feels best whenever I help my granny cook; after that, I get to prepare yummy desserts for my family, too!
Generosity. It's one of the most blissful things about this particular season! The spirit of giving touches our hearts and moves us to spread the love through sharing what we have to the needy, and showering our dearies with presents. One thing I enjoy about this is the traditional caroling done by children. I super loooveee to hear their young and sweet voices in songs of praise and happiness to commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! Giving them "pamasko" or Christmas gift in the form of coins/money/food is such a nice act that conforms to the real essence of the holidays!
Religiousness. For Christians, this month is not only for celebratory feasts and such... it has a profound spiritual meaning. Traditionally, completing nine days of Simbang Gabi (Midnight Mass) before the birth of our Savior is considered truly important, since it is believed that your wish will be granted if you've successfully accomplished this church duty. A Belen is present in most Catholic homes; it is a prominent symbol of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Indeed, this is what Christmas is all about! :)
Friends and Family. Christmas and New Year are two highly-anticipated yearly events. It's best when you get to celebrate it with those people you consider extremely precious. Since the former is about giving and love, and the latter depicts the spirit of letting go of the old and looking forward to the new... it's such a nice experience to share these two memorable occasions with 'em. The unity that exists among all during the holidays allows us to be stronger as we face the incoming year! :)
A Heart Full of Love. The holiday season engages us in activities that will surely tighten our ties with our beloveds. Moreover, it offers a fine time to awaken our inner desires -- that is to love and be loved. Whatever happened in the past year must be forgiven and forgotten. Let's be all smiles as we welcome the new year with a positive outlook! Being thankful for the blessings of year 2011 is one great way of letting 2012 in! Shed off those that must be left with the old year and ready yourself to embrace the coming year~ And it's best to do it... with love! *hearts*

This year has truly been a magnificent one, and in just a day, we'll be celebrating the dawn of a new year! I hope that year 2012 will be fruitful and filled with many positive opportunities for all of us, as well! So, are you sweeties ready to have a blast?! Let's get this partehy started~ ...with flair! *winks*

Holiday Wishes!

2011-12-29T18:27:00.003+08:00

(Texture and brushes, courtesy of Celestial-Star.net; original illustration found on Google; tweaked by yours truly~)
My sweeties, you have been sincerely affectionate to me ever since. I am truly filled with gratitude towards your kindness and support. Every visit you make, every time you tag me on my chatterbox, each comment you drop on my post -- all of these and more absolutely touch my heart. Even when I took a break from blogging, and consequently, designated its hiatus period months ago, some of you still sent me heartwarming greetings and wishes. To all my affies, I am dearly thankful for your interest to make an online connection through link exchanges. I've never considered you as mere readers, but darlings that I certainly treasure. This was such a fruitful year for Miladyness~* and myself, thanks to each and everyone of you! Lookin' foward to spend another with all you, my beloveds! *throws confetti*

How was your Christmas? Hope it was both meaningful and fun! I myself had loads of things to be thankful for about it~ I even wish I could send you my homemade pancakes and parfait~ Oh, in just a few days, we'll be bidding 2011 farewell and, in turn, welcoming 2012 with a festive celebration~ Tune in tomorrow for a list of things I superbly love about the holidays! *winks*

Holiday Treat -- The Unveiling

2011-12-27T15:10:00.008+08:00

Here's the release of my little present to honor this delightful season of giving and love! It's not much, I know, but I hope you'll appreciate it! *crosses fingers* Made it with sprinkles of pure thankfulness and glazed with affection for you, my darlings~ Also, I had provided you some clues regarding its characteristics in my last post, right? Think you guessed it correctly? See for yourself!

(*unwraps the box* Tadaaaaa~ Hope you'll like it!)
If your hunch was along the lines of graphic freebies, then you absolutely got it right! Feast into a total of 10 assorted Ragnarok icons with a holiday twist~ Oh, and Santa Poring makes its surprise visit! :3 Spread the season's cheer by using it as your LiveJournal avvie and wear it with pride! You can also treat 'em as icon bases and tweak 'em as you please. Just don't forget to credit, okies? *winks*

That's not all! Included in the downloadable file are 5 renders ready for your creative rush. Whether you'd like to place them into a pre-made background for your wallpaper, or you're searching for a nice kawaii anime girl for your site's banner, here's a dainty gift!

Ready to receive your holiday treat? Click the huge link below and get started!

Happy Holidays from Octobergloom!

Credits to Ms. Melfina of Celestial-Star.net for the fancy textures and brushes used. Graphic editing made possible by Adobe Photoshop 7.0. Three original illustrations were involved in the making of this giveaway; all were found on Google. Rights reserved to their respective artists.

In other news, I'm glad to announce that Symphonia Network's hiatus period has officially ended! Come visit my portfolio for more updates. I'll be coming up with fresh ideas for Autumn Mist -- my fanlisting collective -- to be launched in the coming year! Better keep your eyes peeled~

There you go~ *bows* Hope you're all doing great and ready to partehy on New Year's Eve! Keep me updated with the festivities, alrighty? *smiles* Love, love, and much love, sweeties!

Handwriting Meme and Holiday Treat!

2011-12-26T17:45:00.007+08:00

The holiday vibe ain't going nowhere yet since another highly-anticipated occasion is within reach; we'll be welcoming the new and exciting year in just a couple of days, yay! While I'm making some additional tweaks to my treat for you -- my dear sweeties -- to be launched tomorrow, here's a long overdue tag by the charming Ms. Lmyx! Thank you, lovely~ *sends you pancakes* :3

Pardon my penmanship, guys and gals. *is ashamed* This is my messy, uncomfortable handwriting (not the fancy one I use for special means -- like artworks, letters and such)~ To make up for it, I used two dainty sheets of stationery as a cover-up (hope it worked, hihi!) Anyways, I made it ahead of Christmas, which is clearly reflected by the answer to the 7th question (and the date on top, haha!) Just like what's written on the bottom part, everyone can have his/her share of challenge through this meme! Oh, and remember to drop a line or two on my Chatterbox or comment to this post once you're done! *winks*

Stay tuned for the unveiling of my holiday giveaway tomorrow! I don't want you all expecting to receive something of great importance, so right now I'm saying that it is intangible, no shipping necessary, and all of my precious sweeties are eligible to get your hands on it -- GUARANTEED!

And one more thing... this has something to do with Ragnarok Online! (Well, a part of it~ *giggles*) Hope you'll find it adorable, although it isn't quite valuable; it's just something made out of pure love and appreciation to all the lovelies I treasure! Watch out for it tomorrow~ *smiles*

Miladyness' Online Gift Ideas for the Holidays '11

2011-12-24T13:51:00.008+08:00

Ohwow~ In just a few hours, we will be welcoming the birth of our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ! I am pretty sure that while you're all anticipating for tonight's Noche Buena (Christmas Eve feast), a lot of preparations are currently happening inside every home. There's the kitchen buzz where the women spend half of the day cooking and baking those scrumptious meals for the night. Kids are exceedingly energetic and excited to get a taste of their mom's dishes (and to open those gifts under the tree tomorrow!)~

Probably, some are even caught in the whirlwind of last-minute Christmas shopping at grocery stores and malls. Busy-bodies who just recently had the time to decorate their humble abodes -- due to loads of tasks beforehand -- might be hanging pieces of green and red ornaments in and out of the place at this very moment. Also, parties are always present this season! (Oh, how I love partehys! xD) Gatherings with friends and family fill the month with the essence of love and laughter!

In order to ensure that you'll be celebrating the holidays both merrily and meaningfully, why not take some tips from Miladyness' Survival Guide for the Holidays '10? And while you're at it, here are some last-minute reminders for Christmas Eve/Day! Hope you'll enjoy the festivities, sweeties! *winks*

On the other hand, I noticed that this year has been quite a busy one for most of the people I know (and love~). Activities in school or work had occupied our daily lives; therefore, some of us weren't able to fully prepare for the holiday season. There might be guys and gals who aren't done with the gift-shopping norms for their beloveds just yet. Either that or they have run out of ideas regarding the presents they'll be giving out. To make things more convenient, consider online shopping! Here's Miladyness' Online Gift Ideas for the Holidays '11!

(Fabulous shirts for the youngsters~)

Hawaii Kawaii. Your younger sister told you that she's tired of getting hand-me-downs every year? Not a sweat! Visit this online store to find cutesy merchandise for your preppy loved ones! Simple, yet pretty shirts and bags are available and everything can be ordered using your nifty credit card! One thing to note, by the way: it's open to international purchases but the countries they deliver to are limited. Be sure to check if the store delivers to yours before adding items to your online cart! :)

(Alpaca Tea Set and Pocky Chopsticks! Kawaii desu ne?)

Omoionline. Kawaii enthusiast? Can't get enough of those cute and chic Japanese accessories and trinkets you don't seem to see that often in your local mall? Here's a fun one-stop shop for all your out-of-the-ordinary display and leisure needs! Infuse your living area with anything and everything playful and unique, and expunge the mundane! Great gift for your friend who's a Japanese culture aficionado! Furthermore, they have an actual real-life store in Philadelphia, so if you dwell near that area, it's a must to visit! :) (Wish I could go there too, lol!)

(Domo-kun Toilet Paper Cover)

Neatoshop. You have this brother whom you can't really give a new PSP (since you're not that rich) nor a shirt ('coz he has one too many). If he's into memes and a bit geeky, don't despair! This online store features character- and meme-inspired goods, funny shirts and other whimsical presents. I suggest buying Domo-kun stuffs since it's a remarkable trend today!

(Dash of Pepper Jar and Quotes Measuring Spoon for the Gourmet Chef)

Etsy. Amazon and Ebay are the usual sites to go to when online shopping comes to mind. But if you'd like to share extra love to your special someone by giving him/her something artsy, then you've clicked the right link! Etsy offers a wide variety of items from handmade keychains, to jewelries, fashion and clothing, kitchen must-haves and more! Practically, they have a list of crafty Holiday Gifts. Wow, that's a great browse! xD

(Flowery Fantasia Tea Cup and a cute Cupcake Recipe Book~)

Paperchase. Sweet and bubbly paper arts and other stuffs are available here! Lovely stationery for your niece, water bottle for your youngest sibling, recipe book for granny, awesome laptop sleeve for your nephew, a journal for dad, and a pretty bag for mom! Share the beauty and delight to the whole family~

(Assorted Christmas printable goodies, yay!)

Jinjerup. Satisfied with the presents you've bought but looking for a more vibrant packaging for 'em? Or maybe you're in a hurry and don't have time to wait for product shipping and delivery? Want something you can just print and assemble on your own? Try these gift bags, photo frames, stationery and decors that you can produce using your trusty printer! Designed by Jinjerup, handmade by you, for those who matter most to you! Isn't that sweet? *giggles*

(Aesthetically appealing planner for the ladies~)

Belle De Jour Power Planner. For all the guys who want to wow your girlfies this season, give 'em what they need! And for the ladies out there, whether you're smart yet fashionable, classy but witty, chic and pretty, start the year right with a dazzling companion -- your very own Power Planner for 2012! This is definitely not your ordinary journal; it is designed to ensure you'll be having a great year ahead. It's equipped with tips and good reads to help you make the most out of your year by reaching and achieving goals, while finding time to relax and be you! Receive your BDJ card and be part of the Circle; enjoy discount and promo coupons included in your planner, as well as some other treats that your card will provide! Once you're part of the BDJ Circle, you'll have the chance to join giveaways and attend events fit for the "It Girl" in you~ This is by far the best gift for women if you're gonna ask me! :3 I actually got one for my Mama! *smiles*

There you have it, my beloved sweeties! :3 Go ahead and enjoy your Christmas Eve with friends and family, but please remember the true reason for the season. The aforementioned gift ideas are entitled to help you grant some of the articles in your loved one's wishlist and I'm certain that you'll be having your fair share of presents from your dearies tomorrow, as well! As for what you can do to preserve the real meaning of Christmas, a simple prayer thanking the Almighty God for everything will be such a wonderful gift you can give Him tonight! :) Have lots of fun! ...with flair~ *winks*

Beautify Your Christmas!

2011-12-22T18:18:00.013+08:00

Glittering lights in each peaceful home brighten up nights filled with cold, soothing Winter breeze. Playful, yet sweet children singing carols awaken your inner generosity. Partehys here and there with colleagues, friends and family alike. Days occupied with shopping, planning, gift-wrapping and decorating surely heighten up the festive vibe. Most importantly, the warm, fuzzy feeling inside having your loved ones with you as you attend the nightly Simbang Gabi (or Evening Mass). All these and more signal the nearness of Christmas!

For the kids, Christmas is about receiving the presents they have been wishing for since the start of the year. Santa Claus symbolizes the heartwarming deed of sharing what you have to others. To teenagers, this season serves as a two-week rest from everything related to academics. Young professionals anticipate this month due to the long list of partehys and events to count themselves in. Adults and the elderly make the most out of the holidays to be with their family and share the love.

Whichever age group you are in, the essence of Christmas is LOVE! God's powerful love brought about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ; thus, this yearly celebration is close to our hearts. Indeed, one component of love is giving (and sharing)~ xD Ms. Gel of HoshiGirl wants to spread love (AND BEAUTY) through her blog giveaway!

(A preview of what's up for grabs!)
Reward yourself for all the hard work you've done this year by joining her contest and get a chance to win a fabulous make-up set by ELF (Eyes, Lips, Face)! Not only that~ If you don't get to take home the grand prize, there's also a chance for you to be one of three lucky winners of cutesy gift packs from her online shop! (And -- you guessed it right -- there's absolutely more!) Be the top referrer (meaning, inform you friends about the giveaway and persuade them to join) so you can bag either 300php worth of Starbucks GCs (for those residing in the Philippines only) or $5 Paypal Cash! (Aren't you feeling giddy yet? Hold on!)

To join her contest, click the (very) visible link below that will redirect you to her bloggie. The contest mechanics and more details about the prize are stated there! What's more... this lovely giveaway is open to everyone who wants to join, regardless of where you are in the world! What are you waiting for? Click below! Contest ends tomorrow, 23rd of December~

Oh, and please remember to include my name as your referrer. Good luck, sweeties! *winks*

Be enchantingly elegant this Christmas!

Winter Wonders~

2011-12-17T21:21:00.006+08:00

(Photo taken from here~)

A lot have been going on lately so I couldn't really find time to hop in and update my bloggie, as well as the Symphonia Network. I'll make sure to keep up with all these thingies, sweeties! I miss spreading the love to all of you, especially this holiday season. I'm really excited to cook up things that will surely delight you this Christmas, but in the meantime -- while I'm still configuring some stuffs I have to deal with -- here are some random thoughts to keep you interested:

The sweet Ms. Lmyx tagged me in her meme. I'll be blogging about it next time!

My baby cousin (Riki-kun) and I have recently recovered from an illness. I am certainly thankful to the Almighty God for our speedy recovery.

I'm currently on an academic break this semester. That means more time for my hobbies! I guess this is an opportunity to get back to work, haha~

Recently, a friend has been asking me for advices concerning his love life. I am truly grateful to him for entrusting his secrets and such. :) You all know how much I love helping people, right?

A new giveaway is being held by the ever-so-generous Ms. Gel. Click here to visit her bloggie~ I'll make a post about it soon, as well!

My Mama asked me this week if I would like a Blackberry phone as her Christmas gift to me. I know you're all wondering why I refused such loving act. Well, I must admit that I'm not into either Blackberry or iPhone. There's this SoftBank phone that I'm looking forward to owning soon~ (I might need to wait for years before I'll get to buy it.) Clue: It's a smartphone endorsed by the popular Japanese group, SMAP! *spazzspazz*

Although it's been months since I last blogged and updated the Symphonia sites, I've been too occupied releasing a few new covers on my Youtube channel. I've got something from Ano Hana fans (like me~), too! Hope you'll like it, dearies~ *giggles*

I'd appreciate it if you would share how you're preparing for two highly-anticipated events this month! My family's almost done with our Christmas shopping. I'm guessing the last batch will be tomorrow! So, yeah... Catch up with me through Twitter~ :) Much love, sweeties!

Food Trip: University Treats

2011-11-06T23:57:00.011+08:00

Christmas is just around the corner! Just a month and a few weeks to go before the all-time favorite season comes. Actually, I have been seeing a couple of houses all lit up by those fancy, dazzling lights every night. We'll be lighting up our own set very soon! So yeah... better get your planning started and list up all those wishes. Remember to go shopping for food ingredients, decors, gifts, and everything else you'll be needing for the Holidays as early as possible for a smooth and easy stroll towards the store counter!

Anyways, one thing that comes to our mind when the Christmas and New Year good ol' time is about to start is -- are you ready? -- FOOD! Feasts and buffets of all sorts are present during this time of the year! It's gonna be one whole season of gourmet goodness. Nothing beats Christmas and New Year's Eve dining with your friends and family, sharing those yummy treats and -- along with 'em -- LOVE!

Now, here's something to get you all spiced up for the Holidays: food photos I took while I was out of the blogosphere, dwelling on everyday university stuff!

Let's start off with this lovely sushi set. Either before or after classes (depending on our scheddie), my best guy friend and I sometimes take lunch or snacks at the nearby Carpark/Food Building located inside the Accountancy Department. One of the many outlets there is Tokyo Tokyo, Philippine's leading Japanese fast food chain. Great for warding off my nostalgia towards Nihon. xD And oh, look at that nifty sauce-thingy! It's Japanese soy sauce (Kikkoman) mixed with Japanese mayo!

(Tempura Sushi from Tokyo Tokyo)
Another one! During our Prelims week, my Mama and I took home some awesome meals for lunch right after my exams. Honestly, I forgot what this is called, but I kinda remember that it's sweet and, yeah... chicken. :P Haha~

(Sweet Chicken from Tokyo Tokyo)

That noon, I had this! Enough to refill my energy meter~ Don't forget to sprinkle some spicy dust (chili powder) for the finishing touches (only if you're into hot stuffs, okay?)! ;)

(Pork Katsudon from Tokyo Tokyo)
Aside from frequenting foodshoppes at the Carpark, like what most students do, we venture out of the university, usually along Dapitan street. A small Italian deli called "Pasta Plate" stands on one of its sub-street. It might not be spacious enough for groups to occupy, but the cozy ambiance makes up for its area size. Foods are of reasonable prize -- a set includes one plateful of your chosen pasta, a slice of garlic toast, and a regular-sized iced tea. Pizza and a few rice meals are also found in their menu!

(My personal fave Pasta Plate: Ham and Cheese Carbonara)
Another variety of their delectable pastas! What I like most about pasta is when it's sprinkled with a good amount of pepper for that tease in the taste buds! :)

(Pesto Pasta from Pasta Plate)
Up for something Western? Whenever we dine at Shakey's, this is my definite order! Crunchy chicken and original Mojos dipped in cupfuls of gravy certainly hit the spot! :3

(Chick n' Chips from Shakey's)
Need something to gulp down all those satisfying meals? Drinks galore, dearies! You gotta try these refreshing treats that will keep you up and running all throughout the day~

All around the world, Milk Tea is renowned not only for its distinctive taste, but also for the healthy advantages it contains. Here in Asia -- particularly in the Philippines -- this drink is hip! You'll see long lines of students in front of tea stands waiting for their turn to purchase their own fill. It always tastes better with the default tapioca!

(Golden Chopsticks' Tapioca Milk Tea)
Craving for something that shouts, "PARTEHY?!" Cocktales provides you with exquisitely blended concoctions to appease your inner night-life delight~ They have lots of drinks to choose from, whether as it is (mocktails) or slightly drizzled with vodka for that ample kick! Not only that, their forte is dessert to brighten up your days! Love sweet and fruity bowls for your after-meal yums? Head this way!

(Cocktales' Mango Daiquiri)
A food trip ain't complete without desserts! Savor the splendid sweetness of these sugary lovelies! Heads up for the finale~

Can't get enough of the traditional breakfast treat -- cereals? Cerealicious has the answer for that! Healthy cereals floating in fresh milk, topped with sweets, fruits or nuts to enjoy even if it's not breakfast time~ I tried it for the first time and I have to say, it tastes amazing!

(Cerealicious' Oreo and Juliet: Oreos, Mallows and Stick-Os)

If you're a froyo fan like me, The White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt is sure to sweeten that certain moment! You might already be aware of froyo's health benefits (and its yummy taste, as well!), right? So what are you waiting for? Take a break and share a cupful of froyo. Have the freedom to choose your toppings, too!

(The White Hat's Choco Loco Hat: Choco Drops, Oreos and Brownies)
-------

Hope your appetites are all jumpy now! You might have had enough eyegasms for today. Go grab a snack if you got hungry reading this long foodie post~ Watch out for another food trip next time, alrighty? Super love, dearies! ;)

Even Eleven Tag

2011-10-27T22:03:00.006+08:00

(Photo taken from here~)
Hey there, sweeties! The weekends are almost here! What are you planning to do on those days? I'd love to hear about it. Whether you're organizing an exciting getaway or simply going to stay at home for some chill time, drop a comment here!

Anyways, the start of my week was extremely eventful! Will definitely write a post about the places I visited soon! I'm pretty sure you would want to pull your friends and families toward those restos serving delectable dishes after reading my next foodie review! In the meantime, I've been tagged by Ms. Lmyx!

Rules:

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves in their journal.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and create eleven new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post
5. Go to their page and tell them you have tagged him/her.
6. No tag backs.
7. No stuff in the tagging section about "you are tagged if you are reading this." You legitimately (AKA, really, truly, with all honesty) have to tag 11 people.

11 Things About Me

1. Though some think that I'm fluent in Nihonggo, I'm definitely not! Tenses confuse me, actually. xD *is ashamed*
2. Butler cafes are included on my list of current inclinations. Got an info about one or maybe you've been to one? That would be a pretty long conversation, hihi!
3. I fancy aesthetically-enticing French cuisines.
4. My first fashion idol was my aunt. She knows a lot about looking gorgeous!
5. I can imitate Riki-kun's (my toddler cousin) voice and enunciation. *giggles*
6. Theater is also one of my interests, both acting and watching!
7. I'm currently enjoying REMEDIOS' songs, especially those from Ano Hana anime.
8. Hairbands are my indispensable accessories.
9. I'm a fan of 80's and 90's Filipino comedy movies, especially those which star Tito, Vic and Joey.
10. I usually set-up an online stream watched by my friends during the holidays.
11. I pretty much think that Rilakkuma is totally adorable! :3

Lmyx's questions:

1.How would you describe yourself?

A Bittersweet Classy Dreamer~ ;)

2.What's your greatest fear?

Oh, well... what everyone fears the most: losing loved ones.

3.Name 3 of your strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths: trying out fun things, dealing with beloveds, glorifying God; Weaknesses: adjustments, unusual stuffs, too self-conscious.

4.What type of books, magazines and newspapers do you read?

I have a penchant for fantasy-comedy fiction books and fashion magazines. I am not really fond of newspapers.

5.What are the qualities you like in a man?

I am usually attracted to a simple man who's loyal, creative, humorous, literate, talented, kind, and God-loving. :) Oh, and he must love babies!

6.How was your transition from elementary to highschool? university?

I really didn't have any awkward moments during my transition from Elementary to High School. It was kinda the same, anyway, except for more school stuffs to work on. Regarding my adjustments from being a high school to a University student, well... that was entirely a new experience.

7.Have you got an award from your school?

Uhm, well... let's just say that I am very thankful to the Almighty God for the medals and awards I've been receiving ever since.

8.How did you learn blogging?

Through an early social networking site. :P

9.Do you have any plans in your life?

Well, yes! I personally feel like my dreams are too high to be achieved, but I must work hard for 'em!

10.What OS are you using? (this is silly.)

Ohnoez, not at all! That's a nice question, btw. :) It's Windows XP.

11.What would you have done anything differently in your life until now?

I don't really know. I'm fine with the here and now. xD

Ready? Here are my questions!

1. What's one thing you enjoy doing everyday?
2. Choose one and explain why: J-Pop or K-Pop?
3. Aside from your native dialect, what foreign languages do you want to learn?
4. How do you say "I'll love your forever" in your mother tongue?
5. If you were to cosplay during an anime event, who would you be?
6. Which do you prefer: rainy days or sunny afternoons?
7. What activity do you usually take on every weekends?
8. How would you describe your fashion style?
9. Who do you look up to and why?
10. What is your ultimate dream in life?
11. If you were given a chance to be with your crush/loved one, where would you take him/her and why?

Check here if you're one of my tagged dearies! *winks*

Isa-- BFF Janina
Dalawa-- Jhanna
Tatlo-- Jacque
Apat-- Tara
Lima-- Sabrina
Anim-- Sin Ying
Pito-- Susan
Walo-- Ica
Siyam-- Bethany
Sampu-- Amelia
Labing-isa-- Gabriella

By the way, on the left side of each tagged name are Filipino words from numbers one to eleven! A little something for those who wanna learn the language, hihi! :3 Have fun answering this meme~ Be sure to hit me on my chatterbox once you're done!

Rainy Eve Tag

2011-10-17T17:40:00.014+08:00

(Photo taken from here~)

Drizzling night to all! I've been receiving such warm greetings from you, dearies~ Thank you for being too sweet! And yes, I'll be updating more often. Additionally, link exchanges are more than welcome and appreciated. Now, lemme respond to this tag I received five months ago from the pretty Ms. Jacque! Thankies, sweetie!

Rules:

1. Each tagged person must post ten things about themselves.
2. You have to choose and tag ten people.
3. Go to their blogs and tell them you tagged them.
4. No tag backs.
5. Have fun.

10 things about me:

I have just turned 17 weeks ago. :) One more year before adulthood, yay!

Classics are part of my life. Whether in Literature, Music or Arts, I am fond of classical antiquity~

I'm a fan of Ms. Kate Covington and Ms. Chyree Buss; my fave pianist is Mr. Moises Nieto.

Sunsets fill me with butterflies. *smiles*

I love making covers of Latin, Spanish, French and Russian songs, as well as those of made-up languages.

I'm more of a tea lady. *winks*

The White Hat is my fave froyo brand.

Swirly and fancy fonts can usually be seen in my designs.

Honestly, I appreciate gifts of any kind, whether they're tiny or extremely valuable.

I really adore Blair Waldorf's exquisite fashion sense.

The ten lovely dearies I'm tagging are:

Be sure to comment here or drop a line on my chatterbox once you're done! Would love to read your answers!

Blossoming Passion~

2011-10-14T19:59:00.011+08:00

It's been quite a long time since my last post regarding my bloggie's hiatus period. Five months had passed and now, the wait is over: this marks the relaunching of Miladyness with a brand new, dazzling layout! I had become too occupied since June until the first week of October, but now that the first semester's over, I can finally go back to blogging and sharing love to all you delightful dearies!

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for patiently waiting for it to reopen. To all my affies who occasionally visited, dropping greetings and wishes on the chatterbox while it was still on hiatus, tons of thanks to you all~ A truly deserved special mention goes to those who requested for link exchanges, as well! I am grateful for the interest you have shown towards establishing a connection with my bloggie. Apologies for keeping you anticipating for Autumn. What's important is that the special day (or season) is finally here!

Next in line, the newly-made layout! I figured out that a fresh look for my bloggie is pretty much necessary, since Miladyness has turned 2 last June! Yes~ Two years of showcasing food, fashion, events and slices of my life as I continue to pursue my bliss! Credits to Ms. Hotaru for the pretty character embellished on the left corner of the banner! *waves hand* It's actually a cute illustration made by her as an anime representation of me! (I know, I don't look as captivating as it, haha!) I soooo love my anime selfie~ It's what I use as a member of Marshmallow Kakumei, an international anime cover singing group! (Well, I suppose I have to blog about the whole experience next time! *winks*) Ms. Hotaru's drawings are absolutely as comely as her!

Finally, here's a glimpse of the events happened during my five-month internet absence:

Getting to meet my 1LIT blockmates. They're fun-to-be-with!

FRIDAY is my official group~ A bunch of awesome guys and gals~

Went to a blockmate's debut party in an elegant hotel with a gal friend and my best guy friend.

Thomasian Welcome Walk, Mass and Partehy. Celebrated our being proud QuadriFreshies of the University at its 400th year!

Literary Society General Assembly. Had the chance to meet and greet fellow LIT majors from higher years.

My best guy friend (Prof. Raen)'s birthday last August, which we celebrated twice. First, the pre-birthday movie at the mall, where we watched Harry Potter 7:2. Second, the post-birthday right after our prelim exams.

Got the chance to attend AB Himigsikan (an event and concert featuring some famous bands and singers for the National Language Month) last August.

Given the prestigious opportunity to cover the Viaje Fashion Show for a university publication.

Attended a conference with my Jeh-darling~

Had a snack date with my Shen-darling~

Visited my high school campus and saw my friends there! Yay~ I soooo missed the school's atmosphere and moments with my friends! *giggles*

7th of October, I celebrated my Splendid Seventeenth birthday with Mama and Prof. Raen at the mall. Scrumptious lunch, a thrilling movie, yummy froyo and karaoke at Music 21! It was the most amazing birthday ever~ ;)

And yeah, I'll be here, spreading flowers and berry fields... with flair~ *winks* Much love, dearies! :)

Miladyness will be on...

2011-05-16T23:11:00.005+08:00

Starting today, I'm taking a break from blogging in order to properly focus on other stuffs. No need to worry though, Miladyness will be up and active in no time! For the meantime, feel free to reread my posts if you'd like to.

I am more than thankful to all my affies for visiting often. Nevertheless, I'm also grateful to those who drop by every once in a while. My bloggie will soon celebrate its 2nd birthday sometime in June and hopefully, I'll find enough time to update it by then. Comments are still accepted and quite sure, all your opinions and greetings will be read and replied. I'll keep the chatterbox open so you could drop a line or two every time you pass by. Checks will be done weekly; certainly, your tags are very much appreciated (and loved), and will definitely be answered. Link exchanges, though, won't be entertained during the hiatus period. (But please don't unlink me, I promise to drop by your blogs during my free time.)

Again, tons of thanks to y'all! *hugs and kisses*

Smart Saturdays # 9: The Finale

2011-05-14T14:28:00.005+08:00

(Background from here~)
Hey sweeties! How's it going? Well, as you all know, this is the very last eppie of our weekly segment. I'd really like to thank everyone, especially the avid readers and those who often commented on my posts. I hope Smart Saturdays has helped all of you enhance your English-speaking (and writing) ability through the vocabulary words listed on each episode. If ever you're in need of a review, feel free to revisit and reread all the SS posts through this nifty link: click here! Needless to say, SS also helped me brush up my vocabulary for college, so I hope you also had your share of knowledge with the aid of this segment. Again, a million thanks for all the support and compliments! :3

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1. ubiquitous /yoo-bik-wi-tuhs/ - (adj.) existing everywhere

I hope that the essence of love will be ubiquitous, for love is needed by everyone.

2. troublous /truhb-luhs/ - (adj.) unsettled; troublesome; restless

Who would think that the young, troublous high school students would become established professionals after college?

3. lavaliere/lavalliere /lav-uh-leer/ - (n.) an ornamental pendant worn around the neck

The dazzling princess wears a precious lavaliere/lavalliere, which was given to her by the prince from another kingdom.

4. turquoise /tur-koiz/ - (n.) an opaque mineral; greenish blue or blue green

She looked in front of the mirror proudly, as she was eyeing how enchanting her newly-bought turquoise necklace was.

5. comeuppance /kuhm-uhp-uhns/ - (n.) usually unpleasant deeds that deserved rewards which are also unpleasant

When you do something forbidden, be ready for a rather tough comeuppance.

6. arboretum /ahr-buh-ree-tuhm/ - (n.) land on which trees and shrubs are grown for study/display

The lady with a green thumb enthusiastically cared for her plants in the arboretum.

7. gewgaw /gyoo-gaw/ - (adj.) something useless

If you see something eye-catching, yet gewgaw, do not consider buying it for it would just be a waste of money and storage space.

8. tureen /tyoo-reen/ - (n.) a large, deep covered dish for serving soup, stew and other foods

The calm housekeeper was cautious not to drop nor break her master's new and highly-expensive tureen.

9. harangue /huh-rang/
- (n.) a long, passionate speech
- (v.) to deliver a harangue

The guest speaker delivered an utterly invigorating harangue to the graduates.

10. traipse /treyps/
- (v.) to walk aimlessly or idly without one's goal
- (n.) tiring walk

Traipse along the path walk, into a garden or around a park; feel the warmth of the Autumn breeze and treasure it in your heart.

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I am truly grateful to all the recognitions and praises received by our segment.
Thank you so much for reading and keeping track of Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Symphonia~

2011-05-11T13:44:00.012+08:00

Singing is one of my most intimate passions. I have been singing and writing songs since I was four. My parents enrolled me in a Voice Enhancement/Singing Workshop when I was 7, pretty much a long time ago so I technically forgot all the lessons due to loads of school work in grade school and high school. But since I had this one year vacation right after I graduated HS and went to Japan for summer, my parents acquiesced in enrolling me to a more (probably the most) prestigious music school.

Center for Pop Music Philippines is undeniably the top and widely-recognized music school here in the country where some of the renowned singers (specifically Charice Pempengco and Sarah Geronimo) had their training. With branches nationwide, aspiring singers of all ages dream of being trained by highly-skilled coaches in the said school. Luckily, we have one nearby branch so yeah, I was enrolled (yay!)~

CPMP Main Lobby
It wasn't as easy as pie during my first few sessions. Since I was younger, I was raised listening to 50's and 60's oldies-but-goodies songs being played on my beloved granny's favorite local radio station. Growing up, I listened mostly to alternative and mellow piano songs, as well as classical and orchestral pieces, rather than the mainstream Beyonce or Katy Perry. Having gone to a foreign country (Japan) twice, I developed a strong inclination towards Nihonggo songs, particularly those of Thelma Aoyama and MISIA. And being part-Spanish, I also have a penchant for singing songs of different languages other than English and my native tongue, Filipino. So with all these characteristics, I can say that I am not that interested nor used to singing in pop or mainstream. Hence, the difficulty of stepping out of my musical comfort zone.

My Practicum light make-up by myself. xD
My first song choice was "Halo" by Beyonce though I wasn't really interested in it; plus, it was too high for my normal voice range. I can reach the high notes, yet I need to exert more effort to it. I wasn't really comfortable singing it, lol. But yeah... that was what I sang for our Practicum held in Padis Point, Araneta. My second song choice (for the upbeat category) was "Jae Ho" by Pussycat Dolls. Again, I wasn't comfortable singing and dancing to it, haha. I guess when it's really your first time you could make some awful decisions/choices.

The Practicum Assessment card~
Anyways, right after an unexpectedly successful practicum, I had to get ready for our recital (sort of the graduation-thingy for my Voice and Stage Performance course). I carefully chose a song that is close to my heart and something that fits my mature voice range, so I picked "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas," or I Wish It Would Never End in English. It's a rather old Filipino song by Sharon Cuneta which has heartfelt lyrics and orchestral melody. I attended several practice sessions with my co-recitalists: Jelenee, Geuel and Ginelle. (Jelenee has a blog, go visit her. Click here~)

Pretty girls: Jelenee (Jeh-darling), Geuel and Ginelle~ *hearts*
Being with utterly pretty and friendly girls and having the chance to be trained by a lenient, yet amazingly great singer trainer, Coach Dez, was such a nice experience. The four of us, including our coach, became good friends with each other, which made it easier for us to perform altogether. On the day of the recital held in Hall of Fame, Cubao, we arrived earlier than our call time. And yeah, we had our hair prepped up and our faces enhanced by make-up by two talented beauticians (who surprisingly know how to speak basic Japanese, lol. Apparently, they worked in Nihon for some time.) Curls were the trend that night; most of us had our hair curled. After the beautification session, we were given free lunch before we went up to the third floor of the building to get ready for the event.

Jeh-darling, having her hair styled~
When we were on the top floor already, I was amazed by how fancy the stage was. We had some short practices for our group songs for a while, then finally, the stage was set and the lights were dimmed for the opening number. Right after we performed the opening song, we patiently waited for our turns to sing. We chatted and did practices in the backstage. Geuel was the third in the line-up of all recitalists (and the first among our group) and she did her own rendition of a song by Miley Cyrus. It took almost another hour before it was Ginelle's turn with another song by the same singer. Right after her was Jelenee's song by Carrie Underwood. All three performances by my groupmates/friends were really remarkable! After some more songs by other recitalists from other branches, it was the time for our group song. We sang "I Turn To You" by Christina Aguilera. According to some audiences' reactions heard by my Mama (who was an spectator of the event), our group performance was the best among the other group songs! Yay~ :3

Solo shot before our group performance
Two to three more recitalists had their solos, then finally it was my turn under the spotlight. Guess I did my best, haha. (I hope~) It was actually blurred and smokey on stage due to the smoke effect and the strongly-lit spotlights. Not being able to see the audiences clearly really helped uplift our confidence while performing. And yes, after my song were some other group performances. Lastly, we had the distribution of certificates then I bade goodbye to my groupmates.

Me, together with Jeh-darling, holding our certificates... Yay!
That night was indeed a triumphant one. My music school experience is something that I'll forever treasure. I just recently consumed all my exceeding sessions and my course has ended. Still, I'm not that interested nor comfortable singing pop songs -- unless they're a bit old and have an orchestral/mellow characteristic -- and I'll always prefer to sing and listen to celtic/classical/alternative/foreign music rather than mainstream. But having been trained professionally, it helped me boost my confidence onstage... and yes, I made some great friends! :) WIN-WIN situation, yes? xD

Smart Saturdays # 8

2011-05-07T12:21:00.005+08:00

(Background from here~)
Our weekly vocabulary segment will soon come to an end. Enjoy it while it's still here! Anyway, how's the start of this month working out for you so far? It's steaming hot here in the Philippines and people have been going to provinces to cool out by swimming in resorts and beaches. In my case (and some of my friends' too), the A/C's a must-have for us who won't be going out-of-town this summer, haha. Go ahead and enjoy the vacation whether you're spending it in the countryside, out of the country... or even just in your house!

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1. accolade /ak-uh-leyd/ - (n.) award or laudatory notice

The group was given an exclusive accolade for their magnanimous act.

2. urbane /ur-beryn/ - (adj.) sophisticated social life

Coming from the province, the young lady was astounded by the urbane nature of the girls in her new school.

3. acidulous /uh-sij-uh-luhs/ - (adj.) slightly sour; sharp

Be careful not to make an acidulous remark to a friend unwillingly.

4. desuetude /des-wi-tyood/ - (n.) the state of being no longer used or practice

Gradually, the archaic ideals and tradition fell into desuetude.

5. languid /lang-gwid/ - (adj.) lacking vigor or quaity

To prevent oneself from being languid, one must exercise daily, have lots of sleep and enough food intake.

6. connoisseur /kon-uh-sur/ - (n.) a person who is specially competent to pass critical judgment in arts

At first, I wanted to be a culinary connoisseur, yet I took another path more suitable for me -- that of a literary aficionado.

7. connubial /kuh-nyoo-bee-uhl/ - (n.) a marriage or wedlock

The couple was truly delighted on the day they have long been waiting for -- their connubial.

8. digress /dahy-gres/ - (v.) to wander away from the main topic

The speaker wittily segued when he wanted to digress from an inconvenient matter.

9. dilly dally /dil-li dal-li/ - (v.) to waste time by loitering or indecision

"Do not dilly dally!" one of the memorable words of our Grammar teacher whenever she sees a student who walks or moves aimlessly.

10. superannuate /soo-per-an-yoo-eyt/ - (v.) to allow to retire from service because of age or infirmity

The chief advised his 60-year-old worker to superannuate from his strenuous profession.

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Hope you enjoyed reading and learning the aforementioned words!
Please do watch out next week for the last episode of Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Cosplay-Singer

2011-05-04T15:41:00.012+08:00

Cosplaying is not a walk in the park. It's not simple and it requires more than just a anime or game costume. To achieve the nearest possible physical portrayal of an anime or game character, one must have more than enough extra money to spare for costume and props creation; some cosplayers who are well-endowed with artistic capabilities even make their own designs. Aside from money and/or skills, a cosplayer must be almost-flawless, with skin suitable to mimic the role they want to play. Make-up is also a must. Lots of time, effort and confidence are essential requirements. And yes, a great knowledge about the character they're imitating.

And with the sudden rise of cosplay as an underground hobby among teens to mainstream show business-like popularity, it resulted to garnering some inexplicably inconvenient opinions among newbie viewers and hardcore fans alike. Not to make any unnecessary rant here, but I must say that this 'form of art and performance' now has another meaning to some men. And due to this unexpected rise (or fall, in some aspects) of the industry -- and cosplay, being a hobby that is just entirely new to me -- I have chosen to focus more on music, thus the title... cosplay-singer.

Ohwow, the first two paragraphs sounded too serious, right? Haha, sorry 'bout that. Only my closest friends know the reason behind it, by the way. Moving on, since I am not that flawless nor do I possess thousands of extra money and loads of time to spare, I'd rather be a cosplay-singer than technically compete in cosplay competitions. What is it? Well, read on to find out~

A K-on inspired band performing anime songs @ Otaku Expo Reload
It started last October, a day after my birthday. We went to my first anime convention (just for fun), Otaku Expo Reload. Finding out that they had this Karaoke Singing Competition, I tried my luck in it. Wearing just a civilian attire (a skirt + sleeveless blouse + cardigan) and not cosplaying as anyone, I stepped on the stage and sang "Lilium" by Kumiko Noma, the opening theme of Elfen Lied. "Precious Memories" by Kuribayashi Minami (Rumbling Hearts) was what I originally had in mind, but I wasn't familiar with its lyrics that time. So, I sang Lilium, which has Latin lyrics, in acapella (no music). I am practically used to singing on stage but that moment, I really felt awkward since it was my first time to sing an anime song in an anime convention with lots of anime fans as my audience. *sweatdrop*

A robo-guy cosplayer, hihi~
Anyways, not taking it seriously since I was just a passerby (haha), after my song, my friend and I just went around and took photos of the kawaii cosplay girls, plus those kakkoii bishounen cosplayers. We left around 7pm.

My yukata attire complete with a Japanese fan
The next day, I didn't expect to receive a text message from one of the contest coordinators informing me that I got in and would compete for the finals. My parents bugged me to wear a yukata (Japanese summer kimono) which my aunt sent me as a gift years ago. So I went to the convention again the next day for the finals, cosplaying (for the first time) as a random Japanese girl in yukata, haha. Another unexpected thing came (and a also great gift from God)... guess what? I won. *faints*

While waiting for my turn to perform on-stage...
My song piece was unique compared to the usual sentai or J-pop music sang by the other contestants. "Lilium" is more of a choir/classical song so I really thought it would hinder my chances of winning (plus the fact that it was my first time and I wasn't too serious about it). But yeah, I was so thankful for all the applause I received. *another faint*

Awarding of prizes, courtesy of last year's winner~ She's so kawaii and I'm not! xD
We then saw some pretty and friendly ladies selling tickets for UP AME, another anime convention to be held a month after my first. My friend bought tickets for us (yay?) so yeah, we also went there some time in November. That was the time I thought of cosplaying for real so I designed a maid costume and passed it to the seamstress. (Yeah, 'coz maids in Japan didn't let me take photos with them, so I just decided to cosplay as a maid myself, haha.)

Miho-chan in maido attire!
On the day itself, I still didn't join the cosplay competition (due to the fact that I was not confident enough, lol), but I competed in the Karaoke Singing Contest with the song, "Inner Universe" by Origa (Ghost in the Shell). See the pattern here? I am fond of singing songs in other languages. Again, it was a bit ambiguous since it was in Russian, Latin and English, and it wasn't pop or rock but celtic/classical. I didn't win though, (all contestants were better singers than me, I love their voices~) but I really felt great that I had the chance to sing in a maid attire. Haha. xD I am not pretty but my outfit was~ :3

A geisha in her stand, texting? :)
We then proceeded to Level Up! Live for just an hour or so. And yes, I was still wearing the maid costume so youngsters thought I was a black Kafra, haha. (For those of you who saw me, pardon me for being an ugly Kafra. But I do offer Storage and Teleport Services, I swear. I'll teleport you to Amatsu, hihi.) Anyways, I actually paused a while from my cosplay hobby for I was busy with stuffs and preparation for college, but I'm lookin' forward to attending more anime/Japan-related conventions, either as a competitor or just a curious passerby-slash-photographer~ :) Matta ne!

Smart Saturdays # 7

2011-04-30T14:10:00.005+08:00

(Background from here~)
Ohwow! The month of May is just some hours away! (I didn't intend for it to rhyme, though... but it did, haha!) Just thirty plus days to go and students here in the Philippines will welcome another school year. While chillin' out and making the most out of your vacation, be sure to ready yourself for June! Here's this eppie's list:

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1. flocculent /flok-yuh-luhnt/ - (adj.) covered with soft, wooly substance

My baby cousin loves to hug the sofa pillow with a flocculent cover.

2. esculent /es-kyuh-luhnt/
- (adj.) edible
- (n.) something edible

For an impoverished family, a meal doesn't have to be well-cooked or garnished aesthetically; as long as it's esculent and clean, it's highly appreciated by them.

3. frankincense /frang-kin-sens/ - (n.) aromatic gum resin from trees

Using frankincense doesn't just add to the room's ambiance, but also helps one to relax and and alleviate tension.

4. incorrigible /in-kor-i-juh-buhl/ - bad beyond correction or reform

His parents were extremely worried that they might have raised an incorrigible son.

5. impassioned /im-pash-uhnd/ - (adj.) filled with intense feeling or passion

She is an impassioned dreamer: determined and exceedingly motivated to pursue her goals.

6. accrue /uh-kroo/ - (v.) to happen or result as a natural growth

If you'd like to accrue something positive, your deeds must also be of pure motive.

7. accumulate /uh-kyoo-myuh-leyt/ - (v.) to gather or collect

The group was eager to accumulate more points than their rival.

8. accommodate /uh-kom-uh-deyt/ - (v.) to supply; provie; oblige

Our high school classroom was spacious enough to accommodate forty to fifty students; yet we were just twenty-three.

9. conspectus /kuhn-spek-tuhs/ - (n.) summary; comprehensive view

They were asked by the teacher to write a conspectus of the lesson to determine who among them really paid attention during the class.

10. indispensable /in-di-spen-suh-buhl/
- (adj.) absolutely necessary; essential; requisite
- (n.) a person or thing that is indispensable

I'd love to hear about the things you consider indispensable.

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For more fancy and sassy words, tune in again next week here on Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Sweetest Sixteen~

2011-04-27T14:15:00.011+08:00

Every girl goes through the stage of teenhood. Being sixteen truly has its perks and yes, it's an exciting phase. Once you reach your sixteenth year in this world, you'll get to enjoy privileges that you haven't experienced yet when you were 5, 7, 10 or 13. You are almost into adulthood -- just two more years and you'll be a full grown-up lady, matured enough to make wise decisions and execute actions to brighten up your future. When you are sixteen, there are lots more contests you can now join, activities you can participate in and stuffs you can do. In Japan, sixteen-year-old teens are eligible to apply for part-time jobs with parents' consent. Some countries give student drivers' license to sixteen-year-olds. So yeah, it's so sweet to be sixteen!

I actually didn't have a fancy and glam sweet sixteen birthday party just like those seen on the telly. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it 'coz I celebrated it with my friends and family. It was a week-long celebration, instead of just one day. We would go out almost everyday that time because my Dada (father) was here in the Philippines with us. So, yeah... here are the stuffs that happened:

(The comedy bar performers for that night~)
October 3rd, we went to a comedy bar to celebrate my father's birthday. We had drinks and good laughs courtesy of the talented gay stand-up comedians 'til midnight. 6th of October, a day before my special day, we went to the same bar and had great fun! The thing is, in comedy bars similar to the one we frequented, when you tell the gays that you're celebrating something -- birthday, an anniversary, graduation, wedding and the likes -- they'll go to your table and ask you stuffs. They'll even sing for you (or let you sing with them)! I even took photos of them while they were performing~ I personally like Krissy Diva, one comedian who's gifted with high voice. She can really sing like a diva! I also like Bonnie Bonnivie, 'coz he looks great! Haha. Okay, I admit it... I enjoy being with friendly and funny gay people -- one thing that I'm proud of. I respect people of any gender, race and nationality. *winks*

I really love singing so I usually perform on stage whenever we go to bars and karaokes. Moving on... I had my first glass of vodka that night, haha. (Yeah, I eventually got used to cocktails, so I had to try another drink.) The next day -- which was my birthday -- we still went out to the mall to buy stuffs and eat dinner with the whole family at Gerry's Grill in the nearby mall. We feasted on crispy pata (one of my fave Filipino dishes) -- a delectable deep fried crispy pork leg dish -- and other grilled meals.

(My margarita cocktail drink! Yummeh~)
8th of October, I met with a guy friend and went to my first anime convention, haha. It was my first time to see teens in cosplay attires so I felt absolutely excited the whole day. I wasn't prepared, but they bugged me to join the Karaoke Singing Contest so I did. I sang "Lilium" by Kumiko Noma (Elfen Lied), which technically isn't J-pop but a choir/classical song. It's still an anime song though, so yeah, I got in. I took soooo many photos of random people cosplaying anime and game characters, which I'll be blogging about on my next post. I definitely didn't expect that I'd be chosen to compete in the finals, but I did. So... yeah. That was one of the best birthday gift from God ever! Otaku Expo Reload was a three-day convention held in SM Megamall, so after a day, we went there again for the finals. Expecting that I wouldn't win since my song piece was entirely unique compared to the usual sentai and J-pop anime songs, I did not take it seriously. But it was a miracle that I won. xD Haha. *sweatdrop*

(Butterfly henna tattoo that I really love from Otaku Expo Reload~)
Days later, I went out with my BFF and it was really a pleasure to see her again after three months (since I left the country for vacation in Japan)~ We talked over nachos and drinks at Cocktales food stand inside a mall. It truly feels good to be with people you love on your special day~

(My dazzling BFF Janina~ *hearts*)
My birthday celebration is incomparable to those elegant and expensive parties of celebs on TV. But having good food, going through wonderful experiences, seeing pretty scenery and stuffs, great laughs and talks, and most importantly, being with the people you treasure and who love you so much, and yes, be gifted by God with such magnificent blessings... that was the sweetest sixteen birthday ever!

Smart Saturdays # 6

2011-04-23T15:07:00.008+08:00

(Background from here~)
After the abstinence and repentance of sins during the Holy Week, let's start this day with something fresh -- a new list of vocabulary words! Before you go Easter egg-hunting, here are ten words that will surely enrich your English-speaking (and writing) skills.

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1. inauspicious /in-aw-spish-uhs/ - (adj.) unfavorable

The news about his inauspicious act reached his parents and left them dismayed.

2. impugn /im-pyoon/ - (v.) to challenge; to cast doubt upon

Professor Mark felt the need to impugn his students due to their seemingly short interest in his subject.

3. dirigible /dir-i-juh-buhl/
- (n.) an airship
- (adj.) capable of being directed

Citizens went aboard the newly-built dirigible with excitement and curiosity.

4. expunge /ik-spuhnj/ - (v.) to erase; obliterate

Our teachers would always assign one student to expunge the writings on the board every after a class.

5. feasible /fee-zuh-buhl/ - (adj.) capable of being done or accomplished; plausible

Make sure all your goals are feasible before appointing them to avoid frustrations.

6. laicize /ley-uh-sahyz/ - (v.) to remove the clerical character or nature

They agreed to laicize those friars who were guilty of crime against the government or the Church.

7. halcyon /hal-see-uhn/ - (adj.) calm; peaceful; tranquil

Warm breeze, comely scenery; who wouldn't fall in love on this halcyon eve?

8. battalion /buh-tal-yuhn/ - (n.) a large number of military units

The castle in a faraway kingdom was attacked by an enemy battalion.

9. privilege /priv-uh-lij/
- (n.) a special immunity or right granted
- (v.) to grant a privilege to

Education is a privilege we all must be thankful for.

10. receive /ri-seev/ - (v.) to take into one's possession

I couldn't believe he was almost deceived when he was about to receive the falsified receipt of his purchase.

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I hope you all celebrated Lent peacefully and solemnly.
Tune in again next week for another dose of Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Food Trip: Japan (2)

2011-04-20T15:27:00.028+08:00

Hungry for some more Japanese foods? Well, here's the sequel to my Food Trip: Japan post! Feast on the following delectable dishes I have encountered (and eaten) while I was having my three-month stay in the land of the rising sun~ Hope you haven't had lunch (or dinner) yet, so as to have enough appetite and ready yourself for loads of eyegasmic food from Nihon!

First off, the traditional Japanese kare or curry. This actually looks different from Southeast Asian -- particularly Philippine and Indonesian -- curry which is yellowish in color. Brown, saucy and served with fresh steamed rice, kare is a local favorite of kids and adults alike. This has small beef pieces, instead of large chunks which can be found on curries from other countries. It has more sauce than beef, but since its sauce tastes remarkable, you won't mind having less beef at all.

Kare is available in most ramen houses and restaurants, usually garnished with pickle and sometimes, poached egg, just like in the photo below. It's a good lunch or dinner meal for everyone~

(Kares from a nearby ramen house)
Next stop, foods at home. When we were in Japan, we only go out during weekends and when we have to buy groceries and other stuffs. So most of the time, we prepare meals at home. With the excellent cooking skills of my Mama and aunt, the dishes tasted almost like those in the restaurant, plus with a dash of love!

My tita (aunt) works in a snack bar, so she's good with those easy-to-prepare light meals such as this tofu. Everyone (even kids and teens) can actually prepare this. You only have to buy blocks of kinugoshi tofu from your nearby grocery store along the Asian aisle, and this oriental spicy sauce (pretty much like those Chinese spices) in can. Dice the tofu blocks and put them on a clean plate. Using a teaspoon, pour over a small amount of the spice on top of each diced tofu... and voila! Great for snacks and also, dinner for those on a diet.

(Tofu snack by Tita)
Most of my good friends know that before I decided to take AB Literature as my course, I originally had Culinary Arts in mind. So during my stay in Japan, my aunt taught me some simple Japanese snacks and dishes. Aside from onigiris or rice balls from my first Food Trip: Japan post, she also taught me about tamagoyaki/tamagomaki or fried egg. Basically, it's an omelette with several layers rolled over and usually eaten with rice. This is a breakfast meal, but can also be eaten anytime of the day. To cook it, you must have this square-shaped non-stick frying pan which allows the egg to maintain its shape.

(Yummy tamagoyakis I cooked for dinner)
Here's a photo of a set meal prepared by my aunt and I. A vegetable salad with bread crumbs, blocks of tofu and a simple scrambled egg around one cup of rice. So if you're heading to Japan, I advise you to try cooking dishes by yourself -- a cheaper and more fun alternative to eating out everyday. xD

(Set meal for those who just love to eat!)

Now, for some good ol' fast food yummies... I know you are aware that there are lots of fast food stores around the streets of Japan, particularly those that offer Western foods -- the all-time fave burgers and fries! In Yokosuka-chuo, some great burger foodshoppes are Burger King, KFC, McDonald's and the originally Japanese, Mo's Burger. Fast food chains are neat and conventional rendezvous for both friends and families. Plus, they are great places to dine for foreigners; most have English menus and the staff can speak English well.

(Great fast food finds!)
Wanna eat healthy? Have some salad! There are quite a variety of salads and vegetarian meals in Japan. But among them, I personally love Saizeriya's caesar salad. Saizeriya is a family restaurant that serves pizzas, salads, pastas and other scrumptious dishes for the whole family! Lettuce are certified fresh and tasty, plus their signature dressing has a unique sweet-sour taste! The photo on the right isn't salad, but an appetizer served in Marugen Ramen located in Kurihama. These are pickled vegetables eaten before the ramen is served, while waiting for your order.

(Healthy Saizeriya salad and a pickle appetizer from Marugen Ramen)

Have some bread to pair with your healthy salad~ Bakeshops can be found inside malls; most of them even offer free tastes during specific times of the day. Sweet breads, plain breads, french breads and my aun't and I's personal faves... CHEESE BREAD! This will go well with a cup of cold tea for your afternoon (or midnight) snack. Breads in Japan are called 'pan' and range from anpan (red bean bread), shokupan (plain white bread), karepan (pan with kare filling) and tons more.

(Yummy cheese bread that my aunt and I enjoy~)
For some fun family bonding, why not dine in together at a yakiniku place? Yakiniku literally means 'grilled meat,' which is similar to barbecued dishes. Restaurants of this kind have tables with built-in grills so the whole family can practically cook the meat on their own. Once, my aunt's past workmate and family friend, Tita Lisa (Aunt Lisa) treated us to a fancy yakiniku place. We really enjoyed grilling the meat together while sharing some stories and laughing over funny stuffs. Most fine-dining restos like this have something called the 'drink bar,' where, for a certain amount of yen spent, you can get unlimited drinks. Meaning, you can have a glass of softdrinks then follow it with an ice coffee and if you're still not satisfied, go on and try a strawberry ole! Spending time with family over yummy foods is such a priceless thing~

(Oh, meat!)
Last but definitely not the least, desserts! There are so many kinds of Japanese sweets but a universal favorite of everyone is, of course, ice cream! You may have read my article about a variety of ice cream choices around Japan, but here's another Baskin Robbins pick! Weeks before we left Nihon, we dropped by Jusco mall for our last shopping spree. After having ramen for dinner, we craved for something cold and sweet. Luckily, the mall has Baskin Robbins store in it! That time, they had this summer special: 1 + 1/2 scoop of your fave ice cream flavor~ You could order a scoop of any flavor you want, plus they'd top it with half a scoop of another (or the same, if you're such a fan of a certain flavor, lol). My combo choice was a full scoop of Popping Shower and half scoop of the ever-so-yummy Box of Chocolates, which right after that instance became my fave ice cream flavor, haha!

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I am actually anticipating for another three to six months vacation in Japan so I can bring you more eyegasmic food photos, scenery and fashion picks. But I guess I'll have to wait for years to come~ Anyways, I sure did have lots of gastric delights during my summer in the said country. And I'm pretty sure that you also enjoyed this post~ Don't get too hungry, dearies. Now go get yourself some yums! Ja ne, mata ne!

Smart Saturdays # 5

2011-04-16T14:14:00.013+08:00

(Background from here~)

How's your vacation so far, sweeties? I myself was too occupied during the first two weeks of April: finished some stuffs and writings, tweaked my site a bit, did last-minute alterations for my revamped photofolio and yes, underwent some preparations for college. Thankfully, aside from giving up meat for the Holy Week and a few quick fixes for some of my hobbies, the only thing left in my to-do list this month is... ENJOY SUMMER!

Hope everyone's doing fine in your part of the world. And hopefully, you'll take this opportune time to get some R&R and chill with friends and family. Anyways, here's this week's list of words~ And yes, it's our FIFTH episode! :)

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1. magnanimous /mag-nan-uh-muhs/ - (adj.) generous in forgiving; noble

The generous man was granted an award for his magnanimous deed in public service.

2. conflagration /kon-fluh-grey-shuhn/ - (n.) destructive fire

Nero was rumored to be associated in the conflagration of Rome in 64 AD.

3. complacent /kuhm-pley-suhnt/- (adj.) pleasant; self-satisfied

Our teachers in high school advised us not to be too complacent with our little achievements; instead, we were told to either keep it up or do better.

4. antiquity /an-tik-wi-tee/ - (n.) quality of being ancient

The expensive furniture was priced as such due to its antiquity.

5. bucolic /byoo-kol-ik/
- (n.) pastoral poem
- (adj.) of or pertaining to shepherds; pastoral

The foreigners adored the bucolic landscape of the region.

6. comrade /kom-rad/ - (n.) companion, associate or friend

His comrade helped him make a move to impress the girl.

7. flippant /flip-uhnt/ - (adj.) shallow; disrespectful

Adults tend to despise flippant youngsters.

8. flotsam /flot-suhm/ - (n.) wreckage of a ship floating in water

Some bags and valuables were found as a set of flotsam in the nearby river.

9. sprawl /sprawl/
- (v.) to stretch or spread out
- (n.) the act or instance of sprawling; a sprawling posture

Inactive kids sprawl on the sofa while watching television.

10. disciplinarian /dis-uh-pluh-nair-ee-uhn/ - (n.) a person who enforces discipline

Disciplinarian parents can either raise rebellious or saintly children.

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Don't miss out a chance to brush up your vocabulary here on Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

WD - My Senior Year

2011-04-14T17:40:00.004+08:00

A year has passed since the day I last stepped out of our classrooms, where it all began... and where it also ended. Ten months of hardships, laughter, sorrow, bliss and teamwork. Ten months of mornings, afternoons and sometimes, evenings with almost the same people every weekdays. Five days a week, four weeks a month... Ten months.

Days start with some, cramming for their home works and studying for first subject quizzes. There were quite a few who were generous enough to "share" their answers, while others benefited from such. Some had their own worlds, including me (haha). Then the bell would ring. All would be required to go downstairs to either join the flag ceremony (every Mondays and Fridays) or just fall in line on the corridor (Tuesdays to Thursdays). The old steel would be rung by either Sir Elvin, Sir Ben or Dr. Javier (though usually, it was the former). Right after the routine, the next destination was the classroom.

"Good morning, Ma'am/Sir. It's nice to see you!" This was how every subject would start, with the teacher entering the classroom, the students standing and greeting, then all would take their seats and the lesson would begin. Blackboard, chalks, chalks, blackboard. "Open your books to page..." or "Answer exercises..." or "For your assignment, do this.../research about.../prepare for a short quiz." From Physics, to English Grammar, to Literature, to Filipino, to Values or Computer, or P.E. which we had twice a week, to Math and lastly, Economics. Though we had the same subjects almost every day, each day was still different. Different tricks, pranks, laughter, trippings, activities. Even each of us was different. Yet as one, as a group, as a team... we were WD. We are WD.

(Some WD boys with Tommi and Sir Elvin during the Sportsfest)
William Dickens was one of the most controversial batch in the school, yet again, it was due to our diversity. We were composed of different individuals with various ideals and opinions. Stereotypical as we may seem, but in reality, we have two things in common -- we were Seniors and we enjoy having fun.

Our real section name was Charles Dickens, just like every other fourth year batch (since we only have one section per year until circa 2010), but we would rather be called "William Dickens." Every batch had nicknames: the one before us were called Zutils (a defied version of "sutil," a Tagalog term for 'tough' or 'headstrong,' which is also a Portuguese word meaning 'hard to grasp') and the batch which followed us are now called "CHICKENS," short for Charles Dickens. It was sense of individuality that we chose our nickname to be such, and for one more reason... We were actually banished from our classroom two months before our graduation due to, well... uncleanliness of our room. We were told by the Principal to stay inside the Shakespeare Hall, where events are held. One witty classmate thought that if the names Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare were morphed, then it would result to "William Dickens." So that's how we got it. Pretty simple, yeah.

Actually, our nickname was just officially used during the last quarter of the school year. All year round, we were called "portyer," the Tagalog accent (or pronunciation) of 'fourth year.' Teachers would scream, "Poooortyeeeer, BE QUIET!" or "Poooortyeeeer, clean your classroom!" and many others...

(A classroom photo with our Filipino teacher, Ma'am Chiqui; edited by Mark)
Moving on, WD was made up of ten girls and thirteen boys (originally fourteen, Gerion and his family migrated to Canada by mid-school year). The ladies were the nerdy, 'had her own world' girl, Kamile (myself), a group of popular and talented girls called "G Girls" or Gossip Girls, with members Allysa, Kathleen and Joanna; there was also another trio which included Trixie, Michelle and Paula, plus Marigold, Tommi and Jonalyn, who were the freelancers -- they would fit almost in every group, even with the boys. WD lads were composed of the SC President and Korean-look-a-like heartthrob, Mark (who's also my closest friend among the WDs), the comedic-rocker Luigi, funny man Allen and Japanese dude Kenneth who's also oftentimes referred to as 'Hapon,' which means 'Japanese.' Another half-Japanese boy named Joe -- who's hooked with computers -- is my seatmate and a good friend. The sleepy Alvir, lover boy John Paul, rapper Lesther, loud and funny Carlos and SPT (Super Pogi Troy) were also members of the male population. Not to forget our three 'kuyas' or older brothers: Kazuto or Kuya Kong, the hip Japanese guy who's into motorbikes, Gabriel or Kuya Gabo, the family man and lastly, the Mr. Nice Guy himself, Kuya Jin.

Due to our differences, there were times when we didn't go perfectly well with each other, but that's pretty normal. There were still a lot of funny memories and laughtrips, especially during events and occasions. I can still remember the Students' Fair, the Sportsfest and yes, our graduation, when we bonded for hours and hours; thus, friendships were formed. At first, our classroom would always be a jungle with so much noise and trouble happening day after day, but we eventually grew up, became more matured and learned to fit ourselves like small puzzle parts to form an extraordinary jigsaw masterpiece -- the WD.

(Graduation photo with faculty, teachers, administrators and Elementary graduates)
We never expected that by the end of the school year, we were all like grown-ups with less noise, less mess, more strength and a strong bond as classmates. I for once thought that I would never fit in with them, for I was the one who liked solitude and alienated myself from their rather mischievous and childish ways. But before we graduated, we had the opportunity to settle the differences. They learned to be more serious with life and shredded off their 'happy-go-lucky' schemes, while I (and Mark, partly) lessened my 'studyholic' ways, learned to lighten up and to mingle.

And then, the end came. It was a swift journey through Senior-hood. Too swift and a bit of a roller coaster ride, which made me think that most of us have somehow forgotten it. Our graduation brought tears of worries and joy, of longing and triumph. Now, we are in college. We have our own group of friends, a great number of responsibilities, some new challenges ahead and an almost clear view of our future. But we still are proud WDs. We were once the rambunctious and querulous 'portyer' students, but we are now all grown-up, the more serious and determined WDs. But we still have the same thing in common -- we are still a bunch of fun-loving young adults.

(The official class photo; wacky shot~)
Though it seems that half or most of our Senior year experiences have quickly vanished from our timelines -- including our strong bond -- still, those funny expressions will never be forgotten; the value of 'petiks' will never be put to waste and the importance of dreaming (and reaching for those) will always be parts of us. Just like what I mentioned in my Valedictory Address of the same title... "Dare to Dream," WDs!

Smart Saturdays # 4

2011-04-09T16:28:00.006+08:00

(Background from here~)

Here comes another Saturday and with it, one fresh eppie of our weekly segment! I've been hearing good remarks about this so far, but I still think it's a bit nerdy, haha. But since it benefits us all in relation to the English language, here's this week's list! Hope you'll use them for good~

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1. conduit /kon-doo-it/ - (n.) a pipe for conveying water; a passage

They removed the stuck scrap that clogged the conduit of water.

2. blatant /bleyt-nt/ - (adj.) offensively noisy; obvious

It was a blatant action, an extremely vivid deed.

3. fallible /fal-uh-buhl/ - (adj.) liable to make mistakes

Each of us is fallible, for humans are imperfect.

4. alleviate /uh-lee-vee-eyt/ - (v.) facilitate; retrieve; lessen

She gave her daughter a clean sheet of paper and some colored pens which can alleviate her fear of her first plane ride.

5. masquerade /mas-kuh-reyd/
- (n.) a festive gathering of persons wearing masks
- (v.) to go about under false pretenses or a false character

Enough of this masquerade, this pretension, this unreasonable deceit; it's time to be real.

6. mannequin /man-i-kin/ - (n.) a figure representing human form

A flawless and porcelain-skinned woman can physically imitate a mannequin.

7. diminution /dim-uh-nyoo-shuhn/ - (n.) the act of reducing or lessening

The diminution of errors from the document is technically impossible for the letters were engraved.

8. itinerant /ahy-tin-er-uhnt/
- (adj.) travelling from place to place
- (n.) a person who alternates between working and wandering

Would you like to be an itinerant dreamer?

9. irrational /ih-rash-uh-nl/ - (adj.) deprived of reason

His causes were completely irrational and the girl wasn't too gullible to acquiesce.

10. fluctuate /fluhk-choo-eyt/ - (v.) to shift back and forth irregularly

Some students prefer to maintain their high grades and are careful not to make them fluctuate.

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Always stay tuned for ten words, one list every week here on Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Yearly To-Do List: 2011

2011-04-03T16:12:00.022+08:00

(Background from here~)

Last year, I made a certain post about my year-long goals. Some were achieved, and some were not. Some were postponed, some were half-done. But moving on, even if this post is four months late, let us do a recap and assessment of my 2010 To-Do List~

~*Record my first Vlog
I actually tried to make one last summer, but my phone memory was (and still) almost-full so I wasn't able to make a decent one. My webcam isn't that high-quality either.

~*Record at least 10 Vlogs before the year ends (Progress: 0/10)
Obviously, I didn't make any. Haha. Let's reserve this for this year.

~*Make my own blog layout
Haven't got the time yet. Maybe this year.

~*Learn basic PHP
Pretty much did some progress, hehe.

~*Make my own layout for my website
Still a bit unsure about my skills. Hopefully this year, if time permits me.

~*Make a fanlisting collective
I did one! Oh~ And I'm so proud of it. Click here to visit~

~*Make at least 10 fanlistings before the year ends (Progress: 1/10)
Figured out it's tons of work not only to create, but to maintain fanlistings, so I just made one. Click here~

~*Make at least 30 poems before the year ends (Progress: 15/30)
Wow! I was able to do half of what I planned to~

~*Make at least 10 English songs before the year ends (Progress: 17/10)
I exceeded! Hihi~ I soooo love writing English songs!

~*Make at least 5 Filipino songs before the year ends (Progress: 2/10)
I just made two. Eeeep. I'm not that good in writing songs in my native tongue.

~*Make at least 3 formal essays before the year ends (Progress: 2/3)
Just did two. Both were posted here. They are just blog posts but they also can be considered essays due to a serious and pompous approach in the way that I wrote them.

~*Make at least 5 informal essays before the year ends (Progress: 5/5)
That's great~ I did five! Haha~ Accomplished!

~*Finish writing "The Pundits" - my second novel
Uhm... the novel is actually in a 'frozen status.' Meaning, I lack ideas for it so I'm pausing it for a while. I'm just not sure when I can continue it...

~*Enter Culinary Arts school
Change of plans, hihi. I chose AB Literature over Culinary Arts. It was a tough decision to make, but God directed me to a new and better journey which will take me closer to my dreams. :)

~*Post my first recipe
Since I won't be taking CA anymore, I aborted this one. xD

~*Sing on a Vlog
Still in the process of finding a cheap yet better webcam, digicam or phone.

~*Interview someone on a Vlog
Ehhh... aborted this goal.

~*Have a Vlog with my cousin, Riki-kun
Aborted. I thought I could make use of my aunt's laptop when we were in Japan to make Vlogs, but to no avail... well, I didn't have an opportunity to make one. Turned out, my baby cousin is noisier than I thought! Haha. He'd bother me whenever I use the laptop. (So, yeah... I only had the chance to go online at midnight.)

~*Have my first photoshoot
Kinda did it during cosplays...

And finally...

~*Post the Annual Wrap-up on the last day of the year
I just did! Just a bit later than I planned it to be, hihi. Click here if you'd like to read it~

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And for this year, the following are those which I plan to either achieve or do. I hope I can accomplish all (or most) of them before the end of 2011. :)

Record my first Vlog
Do at least 5 Vlogs this year (Progress: 0/5)
Attend two anime/Japan-related events
Write at least 15 poems (Progress: 2/15)
Write at least 30 songs (Progress: 5/30)
Finish writing one short story
Accomplish even just half of my new novel
Record at least 5 audio posts (Progress: 0/5)
Read one book before summer ends
Write 15 essays (formal or informal) (Progress: 1/15)
Be able to make all of my postponed posts before summer ends.
Do a collab cover with my BFF Janina
Launch a more fun and less nerdy blog segment (Haha~)
Celebrate Miladyness' 2nd blog birthday!

And yeah, last but not the least...

Post the Annual Wrap-up on the last day of the year

Lookin' forward to all this~ :)

Smart Saturdays # 3

2011-04-02T18:21:00.006+08:00

(Background from here~)

It's Saturday again! Come one, come all and feast on another list of ten terms you can add up to your word-stock! Whether you're starting your summer vacation or spring break, get a load of knowledge from this weekly segment~ Without further ado, here's this week's list!

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1. idiosyncrasy /id-ee-uh-sing-kruh-see/ - (n.) a peculiar mannerism or habit

Each of us has even just one idiosyncrasy, what's yours?

2. dungaree /duhng-guh-ree/ - (n.) work clothes, overalls; blue denim

He wore his dungaree quickly, grabbed his bag and immediately headed to the door.

3. entourage /ahn-too-rahzh/ - (n.) group of attendants of a person of rank/importance

The international band's entourage did not let the fans to take photos with their idols.

4. impalpable /im-pal-puh-buhl/ - (adj.) intangible; incapable of being perceived by senses

Thoughts are impalpable, but they can be transcribed as words and/or expressed through an art.

5. sycophant /sik-uh-fuhnt/ - (n.) self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite

A sycophant would always cling to others for even the simplest things without giving any appreciation to them at all.

6. elucidate /ih-loo-si-deyt/ - (v.) to make clear, throw light upon; explain

She felt the need to elucidate her vague statement to those who were listening to her impromptu speech.

7. hyperalgesia /hahy-per-al-jee-zee-uh/ - (n.) an exaggerated sense of pain

I don't think that any of my friends has hyperalgesia.

8. accessory /ak-ses-uh-ree/
- (n.) article or set of articles of dress, gloves, etc.
- (adj.) contributing to a general effect; supplementary

The man was also brought to the court for he was claimed to be an accessory to the notorious crime.

9. acclimatize /uh-klahy-muh-tahyz/ - (v.) to adept to a new climate or environment

As we enter the gates of college, it may take us a while to be able to fully acclimatize to our new journey.

10. syllabary /sil-uh-ber-ee/ - (n.) set of written symbol, each of which represents a syllable

Japanese and Chinese calligraphy and way of writing are syllabary.

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Hope you learned something from this week's eppie~
Don't forget to tune in next week for another episode of Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Yearbook Samples

2011-03-31T19:26:00.016+08:00

Recently, I have been seeing that there are some search queries being typed in by people which led them to my bloggie. Now, one of those are 'yearbook samples.' Well, I really want to help everyone with their High School stuffs -- having graduated and passed through that phase of education -- so I figured out that making this post will definitely help 'em.

Your HS yearbook is a treasure; most of your memoirs are written in there -- pretty much the one-stop thing you can read by the time you'd want to reminisce. It usually includes the Class Prophecy, Batch History, Last Will and Testament, Student Profiles and photos of memorable events that took place during your four-year journey. The contents differ depending on your school's traditional yearbook layout, so better consult your adviser or a teaching personnel about it. You may even be lent a copy of last year's yearbook for reference! :)

Read on for basic explanations and samples for each article~

(Our Yearbook's cover~)

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Using our yearbook as my reference, the following are its contents in their proper order. Do note that the first seven are our school's default yearbook articles. Meaning, it wasn't the responsibility of students to write these; the school principal have already pre-made them before we were asked to submit our assigned contents.

Front page -- a photo of our school building
Mission and Vision
A brief description of our school
Photos of administrators
Message of the Principal to the graduates
Photos of "The Bloom" staff, our school paper journalists
Group photo of teachers and faculty members

Here are those which the graduating pupils wrote. We were assigned (particularly the honor students) one to two articles per head.

(My Valedictory Speech -- left, and our Class Poem by Joanna -- right)

8. Valedictory Address

The batch's valedictorian will be asked to give a copy of his/her speech to be included in the yearbook. I won't be posting mine unless someone needs a guide. (Tag me on my chatterbox if you need it.)

9. Class Poem/s

In our batch's case, we had two: our First Honorable Mention, Joanna's, and the other is a poem I wrote months before graduation exclusively for our class, "Path to Success."

("The Path to Success," one of our class poems, and Who's Who in Batch '10)

10.Who's Who in Batch '10

This articles gives a spotlight to everyone in the class. So basically, the first name of the students plus simple descriptions of each. Let's have my good friend Mark Mendoza as an example: "Mark ~ is the SC president. He's very responsible when it comes to his duties."

11. Batch History

It was written by our class Salutatorian, Allysa. She narrated our journey from our elementary journeys to the very last day of being a Senior student. From how we usually spend our free time, to each student's talents and achievements, she wrote a very detailed account of who we were and what we did in high school. She also stated some memorable events we attended and awards that were given to us. It's pretty much a descriptive essay about the "WDs" -- what we call our batch.

(Inseparables plus the Last Will and Testament)

12. Inseparables

Our Second Honorable Mention, Kathleen, made this for our class. It's a list of our batch, plus two irreplaceable and unforgettable things and/or personalities of each student. Example: "Luigi ~ his addiction to Hitman Reborn items and his funny jokes."

13. Seniors' Last Will and Testament

This content was made by me. *winks* Basically, it is a list of things, skills, and talents that we humbly bequeath or leave to the Juniors. Each skill or personality must only be handed to our Junior counterpart, particularly someone who kinda looks like us or acts like us, or possesses the same proficiency as we do. Here's an example: "Allen Riosa bequeaths his "daily trippings" to Jotham Campos, his laughter to Carlo de Vera, his side-comments to Carl Lagamia, and his ever-so-humorous jokes to Jamello Rose."

(A close-up photo of our Class Prophecy. My apologies for the blurry shot.)

13. Class Prophecy

I was assigned to write this rather long and pompous essay of what I think we will be in ten years. Before I started writing it, I surveyed and asked my classmates about what they want to be or what they think their lives will be after a decade. It actually turned out to be a short story, instead of just a simple essay. But yeah... I hope they liked how they were described in this content, hihi. :)

14. Class Profiles

Each graduating student was asked to fill out a form. These are the queries: Name, Nickname, Birthday, Address, Contact, Ambition, Interests, Achievements, Message, Description.

15. Photos

The images were picked by our school head featuring photos from important school events such as the Students' Fair, Field Trip, English Week and Sportsfest.

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I wish you luck if you are one of the chosen students who will be helping out in making and encoding your batch yearbook. If you need more samples (specifically those about the Last Will and Testament and Class Prophecy), I'd be more than pleased to help you. Drop me a comment and I'll absolutely entertain your questions. :)

Smart Saturdays # 2

2011-03-26T20:02:00.011+08:00

(Background from here~)

Hey there! Hope you liked the premier episode of our new segment. Here are more words to add up to your vocabulary. Try using 'em as you write your essays and research works for school. I'm pretty sure your teachers will be impressed. And if school's out in your part of the world (like here in the Philippines), this can get you ready for the next school year! Read on...

Do note that proper pronunciations are italicized (in pink). Grayed out syllables are those which are accented. Some words have two or more meanings/uses but I will only provide one sample sentence per number. It's up to you to make your sentences for your own use. Be creative~ :)

1. fraudulent /fraw-juh-luhnt/ - (adj.) involving or proceeding from fraud; cheating

He was called upon by his superior and was then investigated due to his fraudulent act.

2. guttural /guht-er-uhl/
- (adj.) pertaining to the throat; throaty
- (n.) a guttural sound

Some rock songs, specifically those under the metallica subgenre, have guttural screams and growls.

3. gallivant /gal-uh-vant/ - (v.) to wander about

They were told not to gallivant along the hallway especially during class hours.

4. choleric /kuh-ler-ik/ - (adj.) extremely irritable or reasily angered

Choleric people tend to overreact to simple situations.

5. irascible /ih-ras-uh-buhl/ - (adj.) easily provoked to anger

She slowly passed by the chair where her irascible pet was napping so as not to wake it up.

6. irrefragable /ih-ref-ruh-guh-buhl/ - (adj.) not to be disputed or contested

The scholar's irrefragable logic was praised by his colleagues.

7. fungicidal /fuhn-juh-sahyd-al/ - (adj.) capable of destroy fungi

Martinique recommended an effective fungicidal powder for her cousin's use.

8. catastrophe /kuh-tas-truh-fee/ - (n.) sudden widespread disaster

Readiness is our greatest prevention against a catastrophe; prayers, our best cure.

9. colloquy /kol-uh-kwee/ - (n.) dialogue; conference

In Filipino slang terms, one who butts into a colloquy is called 'epal,' from the Tagalog word, 'mapapel,' which means cheeky or impudent.

10. deity /dee-i-tee/ - (n.) god or goddess; divine character or nature

Freya is the Norse deity of beauty, love and fertility.

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See y'all next week for another episode of Smart Saturdays!

And félicitations to all the graduates of Batch 2011~

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Things I Miss in High School: Top Five~

2011-03-23T16:12:00.009+08:00

(Photo taken from here~)

Continuing from the first "Things I Miss in High School" post...

And because I love the number 5, here's the top five, still in no particular order (except for the last, haha):

1. Students' Fair. This is the best whole day event that we had every year. From the preparations, to the morning Mr. and Ms. Bloomington pageant, to the group dance contest. The evening line-up is the most awaited, since this features Battle of the Bands with some guests. Some alumni usually attend this fair, so it's really a fun-filled day for everyone! Partying all night long with comrades under the night skies can never be forgotten.

2. Sportsfest. Three days of pure bliss. Board games, ball games. It's when the geeks and the sporties unite. Watching the elementary parlor games is also a delight for those who love kids (yeah, I do). One of the anticipated segments here is the Alumni vs. Ace Students basketball game. Yeah, the hotties. But the real deal is... the Mass/Field Demonstration! Awesome stunts, tricks, and dances by the students are enjoyed by many. Bystanding around the court/stage while cheering for your 'mates (or crushes, hihi) is also fun. What I miss the most about it -- aside from the laughter-filled day itself -- is Carlos' (my classmate) karaoke time during the last day of the festival. He'd go up the stage when most students and teacher are taking their recess -- when only a few of his friends and 'mates are onstage, relaxing -- turn on the mic and play a song. He'd sing his heart out!

3. Expressions. Funny man, Allen, has a knack for inventing-slash-creating catchy and humorous words and phrases -- a popular icon of our batch/year-section, the WDs (William Dickens). His talent for this is really amazing. Each and every expression he makes goes places, literally! One day, you'll hear it in our classroom, another day in a certain class, and so on... We don't get surprised when one expression becomes famous all over the school. Sometimes, we even get to hear it in malls and other places. Yes, he's sort of a word genius. Those that I really enjoy (and still use up to know) are:

"WOW, BIGTIME!"
"Tames, lasang juice!" (Sweet, tastes like juice!)
"Kaya ngaaaah!" or "Keyeeeh ngeeeh!" (A sarcastic way to say, "That's right/you're right!")
"ISTERYOOOOH" (An informal term used to say that something is untrue or just a joke.) or "Isteryuhan" (The act of lying or joking.)
"HANIEEEEEP" (A corrupted form of the Filipino expression, "hanep," which means amazing or great... but more often than not, WDs use it sarcastically.)

And his made-up hymns:

"Uwian na, hindi na masaya, (It's time to go home, it's not funny anymore,)
may papam-pam kasi... hindi naman kasali!" ('coz there's someone cocky here, but he doesn't fit among us!)

Note: 'Pampam' is a Filipino informal term for someone who likes to butt in to conversations, same as with "epal." There was another rhyme he made that I can't remember; it was a spoof of 2NE1's "I Don't Care."

And then this one, which was accompanied by Gerion's funky guitar plucking:

"Ang damot-damot, piso lang 'pinagdamot; (Very selfish, he's stingy over just one peso;)
ang damot-damot, damot-damot-damot!" (too selfish, selfish-selfish-selfish!)

4. English. Dr. Cecile. My fave subject. Actually it's Lit, and English Grammar is just second, but when my fave teacher left us (she used to teach Lit.), English Grammar took its place on the top of my list. The almost weekly spelling lists which enhanced our vocabulary. Speech lessons. My classmates' reaction to those hard-to-read words and the excessively sophisticated-sounding, strangely foreign and odd pronunciations. The suppressed laughter, haha. And Dr. Cecile, a.k.a. "I AM THE BOOK," herself. It's not just because I love the English language, but also due to numerous humorous (oops, it rhymes!) moments we shared every Grammar period.

5. People. The heart of my High School life. From the canteen owners, to the guardman, the janitor, the visitors, the kids (Pre-school and Elementary students), the schoolmates, administrators, faculty staff, crushes, teachers, classmates, friends. All of them. They all played a part in those four years, shaping me to what I am now. Through all those good and bad situations we were in, I can say that I love them. I treasure them. They are who I really miss right now. They are who I miss the most in High School.

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And for those of you who have just ended yours, I hope you all enjoyed your four-year journey with classmates and friends! I'd love to hear about what or who you miss in your own HS life, so feel free to comment~

Smart Saturdays # 1: Introduction

2011-03-19T23:20:00.015+08:00

(Background from here~)

Greetings, comrades! Welcome to the first installment of my new weekly blog segment, Smart Saturdays!

I have noticed that most of my readers are in their teens and live outside of the States. Realizing this, I thought that I can help enhance our vocabularies through listing several uncommon English words every week. I am aware that most of you are fluent English speakers and writers despite the fact that some of you are non-Americans/British. Yet, we can all still need a little more help since this language is not our native tongue.

Whether you'd like to ace that English exam, plan to go abroad to study or work, or just want to add more words to your knowledge, this can aid you!

Equipped with just my Senior (4th Year) spelling notebook in Grammar, I will be listing ten advanced English words -- and some basic words which are commonly misspelled or mispronounced -- together with their proper pronunciations and meanings. Sample sentences will also be supplied. Stay tuned weekly! :)

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For our premier episode, I only picked five words since I almost ran out of time today to write this post. Reason: I was out for more than 8 hours due to my music classes. I nearly thought I couldn't make it in time for the launch of this segment, haha. Anyways, here they are:

1. emollient /ih-mol-yuhnt/
- (adj.) having the power of softening or relaxing; soothing
- (n.) an emollient medicine, lotion, salve, etc.

I am in need of an emollient aroma oil to relieve my muscle tension.

2. ennui /ahn-wee/ - (n.) boredom; feeling of weariness due to lack of interest

To prevent being in the state of ennui, one must find a good hobby.

3. capacious /kuh-pey-shuhs/ - (adj.) spacious or roomy

A capacious mind is needed to store these educational inputs.

4. ensconce /en-skons/ - (v.) to settle securely

Ensconce your valuables properly to avoid losing some items.

5. fricassee /frik-uh-see/
- (n.) stewed meat served with sauce
- (v.) to prepare as a fricassee.

In observation of the Lenten season, she is not allowed to eat fricassee.

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Pardon me for those rather plain sentences for I was on the verge of sleeping before dinner because of this exhaustion. xD Catch y'all next week for another episode of Smart Saturdays!

Credits: Dr. Cecile, our English Grammar teacher in High School for the weekly spelling lists. Sample sentences are based from my own ideas.

Meanings, either shortened or as is, and pronunciations have been searched and derived from Dictionary.com, transcribed in my 4th Year Spelling notebook as part of our school curriculum requirement. No copyright infringement of data intended.

Things I Miss in High School

2011-03-17T14:23:00.006+08:00

Note: This post should have been made almost a year ago, right after my graduation... but due to the loads of stuff I had to do, I have just recently found enough time to write this. So, instead of "Thing I'll Miss in Highschool," this is entitled as "Thing I Miss in Highschool," 'coz seriously, it's been a year since my last day with classmates and teachers.

Enjoy reading!

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(Photo taken from here~)

High school is a part of everyone's life. It could be as chaotic as having to go through swarms of wild animals each and every day, or as smooth and peaceful as a sail through Seine river in Paris. Nevertheless, a life in high school is memorable -- something that you can never forget.

Four years with almost the same classmates and a few transferees; four years with different kinds of mentors: some are strict, some are lenient. Friends were lost, some were gained. Bad habits were shredded off like a snake's skin to unleash the better us as grown-ups, while knowledge and life-changing advices were received. And all through this years, every single moment -- good or bad -- was not wasted, for all were spent well... All are treasured.

They say that college is a far cry from the norms of high school in many ways: new faces, new challenges, new things and ways to learn. I still remember one teacher told our class during my Senior year, "Study hard and do your best. Make sure you pass on your own and do not rely on anybody but yourself. In college, the professors will not care if you do not make your homeworks -- unlike in high school that we always remind you and scold you for being lazy -- but you'll get to see the results of your irresponsibility by the end of the semester." This opened our eyes that really, the moment we set foot off our beloved Alma Mater and enter the gates of a University, things will absolutely be different.

Thankfully, I got to enjoy every last second of this four-year journey right after our final exams. We had enough time to spend the last few days with our classmates and friends before we left school. But now, that it has been a year, I am missing everything about it. Thus, here they are in no particular order:

1. Canteen. Heart-shaped lollipops (in pink and red) on Valentines. Corn cob and sweet corn in cups topped with heaps of cheese powder. Barbecue, eggs coated with orange-colored flour, kikiam, and other street snacks. Tons of various candies and chips. Dessert delights: halo-halo, ice candy, shakes, and the frozen zesto that we loved to eat -- instead of drinking -- with a spoon, as if it was a snow cone. It was the most-frequented place in the school campus where students usually hang out during recess, lunch breaks, and dismissal time. Conversing with 'mates and friends while munching on food is something that I definitely miss doing. The camaraderie, the mere sense of relaxation and mingling, the short absence of worries regarding school works and such... The canteen was our haven.

2. Class Pictures. Who could forget that one day each year when you are free to beautify yourself without being scolded by teachers? Wearing make-ups is prohibited in our school; good thing, I don't like wearing 'em, haha. And, our fave thing about it? Wacky shot.

3. Gossips. This is something that I don't really like, since I'm not the type of girl who enjoys spreading rumors, but yeah... Everyone wants to hear news about others once in a while. I personally like those about relationships, hehe.

4. Crushes. Double yes. High school life is NEVER -- I say NEVER and if I have to reiterate it, I definitely would -- complete without a single flygirl/flyguy or the apple of your eye. During my time as an HS student, I had several crushes: some were younger, some were the same age as me, and some, a lot older. And yes, I admit it... I had a crush (actually, I was in love, lol) with a guy teacher. (Eeeeep! *faints*)

5. Manong Guard (Mr. Guard). I wasn't that friendly in HS ('coz I was a major nerd, lol) but I still had some moments with the ever-so-helpful guardman. I liked it whenever I see our adviser in 4th Year (and some guy classmates) hanging out with him near the gate. He seemed approachable, as well.

6. Free days. And I am not talking about holidays just yet; these are those 'petiks' days, which usually exist before and after an exam week. Our teachers (well, some of them) don't teach new lessons during these days and we're free to do whatever we want. When a teacher is absent and there's no one to substitute for him/her, we consider it as 'petiks subject/period.' (Petiks is a Filipino slang or street word which can either mean 'rest' or 'laziness.')

7. Uniform. We had two pairs: for regular days, the girls wore white blouse with an beneath green jumper-skirt, and white polo and green pants for boys; while during P.E. days, we wear white shirt + green jogging pants. I really like our iconic uniforms. :x

8. Exams week. Half-day. Three hours. Nothing else to do but review and pray before each test and breathe deeply as a sigh of relief right after. And anticipate for the weekend day-out at the mall, haha.

9. New books. At the start of the school year, I have the tendency to read each new book that I would be using. Something like an advance reading ritual.

10. Ice scramble, icedrop, cotton candy, tapioca peal shakes, and the not-so-dirty ice cream. These were some snack choices sold by men in carts and bikes outside our campus. It's best if it's for free (you know, if it's someone's treat, lol).

11. Buraot. This is a Filipino slang/street term for both the person who doesn't have his/her own food -- so he has the habit of asking his friends for some instead -- and the act itself. For us, it's a sign of friendship, oneness, and teamwork, haha. But it's just annoying (for some) if the person abuses your kindness, lol.

12. Roleplays. I love spearheading plays and group presentations. I just like seeing everyone enjoying their character portrayals. Watching other classes' performances is one thing that I also enjoy. :)

13. Loveteams. Whether it's a real link-up or just for fun, it's soooooo cute and spazztastic! Hihi~ :3

14. Seat plans or seating arrangements. Seatmates, or "cheatmates," as what our adviser always refer to, are the people who you'll be spending most of your time with in school. You're lucky if you were assigned to seat beside a friend. :)

15. Physics. Sir Elvin's (our adviser) jokes. His funny examples when explaining. Formulas. Formula cards. Projectile Motion. Freefall. Gravity. And a little bit of Electronics near the end of the school year. It isn't my fave subject, but it's the second in the list of those that I got so interested in. xD

16. First days. That awkward silence you get when you are seated next to a bunch of transferees. That exaggerated joy you feel when you finally see someone you know, hehe. 'Hello's and 'hi's, and the "Introduce Yourself" moment. Meeting new classmates and teachers. Oh, what a joy!

17. Holidays... and the anticipation for such. No classes, hehe. Period.

18. Clearance. The one day every year that teachers (and other personnel) turn into celebrities, hihi. You technically have to ask for their 'autographs.'

19. Student Council. The nomination phase, the creation of different parties, meetings, the arduous process of thinking a catchy, yet effective and influential party name. Campaign period. Room-to-room campaigns. Making bookmarks and other paraphernalia. Giving candies to the elementary students, hihi. And yes... the election day. :)

20. Linggo ng Wika (Language Week). Wearing traditional Filipino clothes is one thing, competing for "Sabayang Pagbigkas/Pagawit" (Choral Recitation/Singing) is another. And this is the only day-long activity that we are allowed to speak in our native language without being reprimanded, hehe.

21. Cake. Icing. Cake icing! Icing-throwing trips and pranks during Christmas parties. It was actually those who came before us (our superiors) whom we got this idea from; it seemed to be a school tradition already, passed from one batch to another. It's fun, yes... but how to remove all those icing stains is an uneasy challenge.

22. Christmas vacation. It's that two-to-three-week break from the fuzz and rudiments of school. Yet, some teachers give projects and reports to be done on these days. Eeeep.

23. Janitor. He cleans up the rooms, the hallways, the toilet, the field, the canteen... all by himself. Well, sometimes with the help of Mr. Guardman, hehe. And he's the one who cleans vomits and spilled water/liquid if it's a big mess. xD

24. Comfort room. Okay, it's not that hygienic, but... yeah. Everyone of us HAD to go there sometimes.

25. Games. During free times, aside from chatting with our friends, we also play. Some clever 'mates even invented their own ways to entertain themselves. We mostly relied on games that can be done/made in/with paper like tic-tac-toes, paper crafts, S-O-S (similar to tic-tac-toe), and the infamous 'sabugan base' (base explosion). It is played by making your own base at the edge of the paper, then sliding your pen towards your opponent's base. It's a bit tricky, hehe... but fun (especially if you don't have anything to do, lol). There was this one time when a guy 'mate brought his darts, and since we don't have a dartboard, he instead drew one on the back of our door, lol. Kinda destructive, so I don't recommend you to try it. Moving on, there are a lot of other games we used to play: staring contests, word games, truth or consequence/dare (with or without a bottle), etc. Playing is one way of hanging out and having fun at the same time!

26. Necessities. School-related: notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, correction tapes, books, crayons, other drawing materials, rulers, protractors and Math stuffs. Non school-related: mirrors and girly stuffs, gel and hairwax for boys, and the ultimately unisex... POWDER. Everyone uses it. Boys actually get some from the girls if they forgot to bring their own.

27. Visitors. We did not always have that many visitors in school, but... when we reached our Senior year, we did get quite more than usual. They were students/teachers from colleges/universities who dropped by our room to tell us about their schools; some of them gave on-the-spot entrance examinations, some memorabilia, and discount waivers for enrollment. College stuffs, yes.

28. Yearbook. It's something almost every graduating batch has. This serves as a memoir of just about everything in one's Senior year. I absolutely enjoyed writing the "Senior's Last Will and Testament," "Class Prophecy," and my own profile, as much as reading my classmates' writings and descriptions. It's a precious treasure, a gem, a jewel. It's the next best thing to your High School diploma, right? :)

29. Last days... Those days when tears just come out naturally. 'Goodbye's and 'thank you's. The "Don't worry, we'll see each other soon" lines. The "I'll miss all of you." The "I'll never forget you." Last days to mingle, to laugh, to be with them before the school year ends. It's something we never fail to enjoy and remember. It was the best when teachers (especially our adviser) bonded with us, as well.

30. Graduation Day. Preparations and practices. Triumph. Diploma. Parents. Teachers. Schoolmates. Graduates. Songs. Honorable mentions. Salutatorian. Valedictorian. Speeches. Award-giving. Medals. Tears. Photo ops. And the celebration afterwards.

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I noticed that this is quite long already, so I have to pause for a while. To be continued on the next post~ Stay tuned! *winks*

Annual Wrap-Up: 2010

2011-03-13T23:35:00.023+08:00

(Background from here~)
This is about three months late because I planned to make my Annual Wrap-Up post either on the last day of the past year or right after the start of the New Year. And obviously, I was not able to do so on either time periods. But before typing this, I actually read some of my last year's posts to remind me of those which happened during the utterly blessed year of 2010. Here are some of them:

January

It rained.
Listed how accomplished I was during the Christmas break.
Got ready for the Graduation Day.
Started serving you weekly.
Looked for a blogskin maker.
Wrote something about the blog.
Created a Wishbook.
Listed stuffs to do year-long.

February

Learned The Art of Letting Go.
Joined my first contest.
Greeted you all a happy ValenChinese New Year.
Hired the awesome Ms. Cynna for a blogskin.
Went both brainy and sporty over Sportsfest: Day 1
Cheered the basketball players during the Second Day.
Danced and mingled on the Third Day.

March

JAE HO-ed.
Been adorably awarded.
Got Questioned.
Talked about love.
Shared what to do on your Graduation Day.
Listed tips about life after High School.

April

Been asked. Started answering the questions.
Craved for fashion during summer.
Made my 100th post.

May

Began narrating about my summer.
Unleashed my inner gamer.
Talked about friendship.

June

Miladyness turned one! Yay~
Went on a first announced hiatus.
Moshi-moshi-ed! Started my journeys in Nihon!
Got high in Nihon, ni-kai! (Number two~)
Wrapped my summer up!

July

Juillet cinq. *faints*
Went sightseeing in Japan.
Food tripped around Nihon.

August

Screamed for ice cream... Japanese style~
Enjoyed the last few weeks of my stay in Japan with family and friends.

September

Finally arrived in the Philippines.
Went on an unexpected month-long hiatus.

October

Turned sweet sixteen!
Gave you all a sneak peek.

November

Wrote about bonding with my BFF.
Launched Octobergloom and the Symphonia Network.
Confessed my first DQ experience.
Bumped my nostalgia over Japan~

December

Fooled around out of missing my cousin.
Supported the Hershey Legacy.
Had spread ambiguity.
Was tagged-slash-awarded.
Stuffed you with queries!
Survived the Holidays '10!
Reminded you about what to do on Christmas.
Went creative during the holidays.
Absolutely enjoyed the splendid New Year's Eve!

The year that has gone was really full of adventures and joy. I never expected I would accomplish so much and experience more positive things in just twelve months. Still, I am hoping 2011 will be another successful and fruitful period for all of us. May we all have smiles and various opportunities this year of the Golden Rabbit!

Summer... warmer!

2011-03-02T22:38:00.011+08:00

(Photo taken from a site with author unknown. Tell me if you own it.)
It's March! Summer in the Philippines is just around the corner; in a few weeks, another school year is about to end, which brings us to the most-awaited vacation! Books and notebooks will be put close and never to be opened again (not unless you need some infos for the next school year, haha), home works, quizzes and the dreaded major exams shall be deducted from students' various worries, and you'll all have enough time to spend in any way you can possibly think of! But before you all cheer and throw your school-related hassles away for some R&R, remember to take your final exams seriously (or just do what you can) so you won't have to attend summer classes instead of just chilling out with your friends and family!

Anyway, this summer, I think I'll have lots of time posting those which I haven't blogged about (meaning, my overdue blog posts that I promised to all you, dearies) to make it up for all my unforeseen hiatuses. Here's a recap of the topics I have yet to write about as stated in my I'm Here! :x:x post last October:

Things I'll Miss In High School
WD - My Senior Year
Food Trip - Japan (2)
...and a new segment coming up pretty soon!

Some other posts I have yet to make:

Sweetest Sixteen - a warm birthday celebration with friends and family.
Cosplay-Singer... some experiences in joining anime-related events, a hobby which is new to me.
Symphonia - Attending the top music school in the Philippines is such an exceptional experience! A strong passion for singing is one thing, stepping out of your musical comfort zone is another. (I think this will be a two-post special.)
...a new set of stuffs to be given away to you, darlings!

Hope you already have a handful of memorable moments spent with classmates, dearies! Enjoy the remaining days of this school year and watch out for summer!

L'amour Giveaways -- The Unveiling

2011-02-14T18:34:00.010+08:00

Happy Valentines Day, dearies! Have you been spreading the love so far? Whether you're alone or with friends tonight, or together with your hunnie dear, I want to give you all a little something... *drum roll*

(Tadaaaa! Freebies for everyone~)
Did you guess it right when I gave out clues in my L'amour Giveaways~ post? So, like I said, these are concrete and Ragnarok-related, so here they are: an assorted icon set of Ragnarok Homunculi that you can use as avatars for forums, or your own site if you have one. If you're running a graphic site, you can also play with these and use 'em as icon bases. Add texts, more brushes, and other stuffs... just beautify them any way you want to!

To get your hands on these pretty darlings, click the big link below that will direct you to Octobergloom.net and download the zip file. Now, you can have fun with these adorable creatures -- Amistyr, Filir, Lif, and Vanilmirth -- even when you're not in-game! Have fun!

CLICK HERE~ *hugs*

Now, for the credits... Textures used are from Celestial-Star.net; please visit Ms. Melfina's graphic sitey, she has loads of goodies for the crafty ones to enjoy! Adobe Photoshop 7.0 was used. Original image used was a wallpaper from Gravity.

Okay, I won't keep you long, my sweet readers! Go let your hearts beat faster tonight! I had too much goosebumps and swooned so much last night during a date with my boyfie. It's your turn to have an awesome Valentines with your special someone~*winks* Joyeuse Saint-Valentin!

Senior Year is Here!

2011-02-11T16:46:00.009+08:00

Valentines in just three more days! I'm sure some of you are busy preparing for your dates already. *winks* Good luck with those and have lots of sweet fun! But thinking ahead... Right after the Valentines and Prom (and all those affectionate gifts and kisses you'll be receiving from your hun, or special 'alone time' with your crush), why not head to the cinemas next month before saying goodbye to the current school year?

A Philippine Indie film that I've been anticipating to see since the last quarter of 2010 will be shown in the theaters on the 9th of March, 2011 in all SM Cinemas in the country. It is Senior Year by Jerrold Tarog. For you Seniors out there, those who have just graduated high school (like me?), and even the adults... this a movie you'll surely enjoy! From the title itself, it is clear that the story will tackle what it's like to be in the last year of your high school life, which everyone can relate to. Here's its synopsis from the site:

"Featuring a mix of real students and professional actors, SENIOR YEAR is a glimpse into the lives of ten students at St. Frederick's Academy as they struggle through the final months before graduation. Hearts are broken and healed, friendships are formed and lost. Childish ways are thrown out in exchange for seeds of maturity in what may be the beginning of a bumpy ride towards the chaos of adulthood."

(Photo from here~)
Senior Year has been receiving lots of write-ups and film reviews here and there from commentators and bloggers and they're all saying the same thing -- it is absolutely something to watch out for in the big screen this year! More information about this, as well as its trailer, can be seen on the official Facebook fanpage and their recently-launched website.

Hope you'll all get to see it next month! And oh-- for those residing outside the Philippines, it'll be having its international premiere on the 20th of March at the 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival! Let's support Pinoy Indie movies, one of the many gems that the Philippines has to offer~

L'amour Giveaways~

2011-02-09T17:58:00.005+08:00

Hey there, dearies! Since Valentines Day is just a few days away and I'm feeling sooooo giddy about it, I decided to make some things for all of you~ Cute stuffs up for grabs! But I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I can't say what they are just yet. However, I don't like my sweet readers expecting more or less from what it's really gonna be, so I'm giving out a couple of clues to help you get an idea of it:

First, it's not a concrete-thingy. Meaning, you can't touch it. But it's not as shallow as a word or a sentence, or something. Still, they are useful... and pretty. (Well, I hope you, guys and gals, would find 'em adorable.)

Second, it's Ragnarok-related. So... for you gamers out there, I think you'll be interested about this! *winks*

Third. Yes, I did mention that it's not concrete, but it has something to do with Ragnarok Online, but it doesn't mean that I will be giving out my zennies and items on New Chaos, okay? Haha, sorry if it somewhat misled you. :)

Fourth. Do these words ring a bell: Lif, Filir, Amistyr, Vanilmirth? RO players know what I'm talking about. But if you don't then you can look below to get a glimpse of what they look like. (Woah, that was the closest clue I ever gave~)

Fifth, Joyeuse Saint-Valentin! ...that is when I'll be launching these darling little freebies for all you my precious friends~

(Amazing artwork from here~)
I wish I could spread the love through giving each and every one of you a box of sweet chocolates, but I couldn't. So I just figured out a way to bring you the spirit of l'amour through these gifts that I'll be giving~ Keep waiting... Stay tuned!

Spread The Love~

2011-02-06T16:55:00.008+08:00

(Photo taken from here~)

Valentines is almost here and you can really smell the love floating in the air~ (not quite literally, but... well... still, it makes sense.) I know some (or most) of my dear readers are female, and are in their teenage years, so I bet you all have someone in mind when I mention the short, yet powerful word, 'LOVE.' Well, whether you're a teen or an adult, and whatever sexual preference you have, Valentines is here for everybody!

Taken, single, married, or not interested with all these stuffs about l'amour, it doesn't really matter, because love is universal. I mean... if you're in a relationship, and/or married, then you have your boyfie/girlfie (or wife/hubby) to spend the day with, right? But if you're single, don't worry about it... a day/night-out with your galfriends or bros isn't that bad. Plus, you can even spend it with your family if you're the kind who's really close to your mom or dad. See? So stop feeling anxious about who to be with on that special day; instead, think about what you're gonna do (or gonna give) to him/her. Here are some nice options:

The basics: Chocs and flowers! This dynamic duo never goes out of style. Some girls might think it's too cliche, but others still think they're sweet and perfect! I must admit, I am one of the latter, haha. Well, who could resist the good ol' fashion way to say "I love you," right? But here's the twist -- if you're one of the former who's too fed up from receiving these, why not GIVE 'em to your boyfie? It's actually a Japanese tradition for ladies to hand out chocs called Honmei-choco to the men who hold their hearts. Btw, these are sometimes homemade -- see the sincerity? xD So, girls... this is your chance to let you crushie/boyfie know how much you like/love him! :)
Take me out! Boys... you know what to do. Ask your special someone out on Valentines! Whether it's a day at the mall, a stroll around the park, or a dinner in a five-star restaurant (the last option is, of course, for those wealthy men), make your princess/queen feel loved! It doesn't matter if you don't have anything to give your beloved (if you lack money due to some circumstances), as long as you are with her, I'm pretty sure she'll feel like she's in a fairytale. Make sure to take her somewhere she likes... If she's fond of nature, I'd suggest taking her to the park or the baywalk (and watch the sunset together). Awww, that would surely sweep her off her feet!
For you... Now, let's talk about some serious gift ideas! One, be sure you know what he/she likes. If your sweetie is into music, why not buy him/her a CD of his/her fave band/singer? Movies? Watch a flick or two either in the cinemas, or at home, if it has already been released on DVDs. Are you an artist? Paint/draw a photo for your dear. Into Literature? Write him/her a poem, or better yet, if you know how to play the guitar/piano, write your own song! Let's move to number two: well if you're in a long distance relationship, you can always send an E-card or a copy/photo of your work for your love. If you have some extra moolah, mail it to her home address! Lastly, number three -- if you're a little short and you don't have a dime or two to spend, you can always make something. Whether it's a small keychain, drawing, badge, letter, or anything... be creative! Like what they say, "It's the thought the counts!"
Be together. Valentines this year will be a Monday, so that means couples in school/work may find it difficult to arrange a date on that very day. So, I suggest moving your sweet meeting the day before, or the weekend after -- whichever is available. Or, if you're in the same school/workplace, why not have your date during your free time (recess, lunch, etc.)? Just be careful not to show too much affection when you're inside the campus, haha. :) What's important is for the both of you to be together... just a little talk and some cuddle will do.
Love On-Line. Some couples are living miles away from each other and even if they wanted to be with the ones they love on Valentines, they just couldn't do anything about it. But... you can still do something to cheer up and make your hunnie feel warm and cozy! Send him a sweet message on Facebook, chat with her all night on YM, tweet him something thoughtful, and best of all -- call her to express how much she means to you~

I have had goosebumps myself while typing those, honestly... *swoons* I wish you all a heart-filled Valentines Day, dearies~ Much love! :x:x

AMFP -- Ambiguous Minds' Farewell Partehy!

2011-02-01T13:39:00.008+08:00

Now that I have blogged about my GRANDuation, let me tell you what happened right after that memorable event...

When we were about to leave the school, I approached my good friend, Mark (I call him "Boy" for some reasons) and asked him where he would celebrate. He replied that we could all go to a nearby McDonald's at Puregold (a grocery establishment just one ride from our school) and eat dinner together.

So, my Mama and I proceeded there to meet my best friend (BFF) Janina and her mom, then we waited for Mark and a couple of his first year buddies, who we call "Pedoperv Boys." (Lol!) We were really surprised (and thankful) that the porcupine-- err, I mean... Mark paid for all our orders. We even had one sundae each for dessert!

(Fries, fries! COUPLE FRIES?! Haha, jk! Yummeh~)
(Left to Right: The British Goddess -- my BFF Janina, Patrick (Pedoperv Boy), and Mark (Porcupine?) Haha!)
While eating, we talked about a lot of stuffs (and a few of them can't be mentioned here, haha). Laughter filled the whole night; I was so delighted to be with some of my friends before summer vacation comes. We took a couple of photos before the celebration ended.

(GRANDuation feast! Lots of fries, drinks, chicken meals, and sundaes)!
(AMFP Group Photo!)
Actually, at first, it was meant to just be a dinner with my BFF Janina, but it eventually became AMFP or Ambiguous Minds' Farewell Party (since the three of us are members of Ambiguous Minds' clique). I wish we could go bond again soon! I miss them both!

GRANDuation

2011-01-27T13:18:00.019+08:00

Ohwow! It's been a while since I last blogged~ Excuses for my minute absence in blogging, dearies, for there were some activities I had to participate in. Last week, we had a mini-concert-thingy so I didn't have time to blog due to our almost daily rehearsals for it. I'll be sure to tell you about it when I have enough time to do so. :)

Anyways, the long wait is finally over -- we have already found my Graduation programme, which we had been looking for since November, lols. Wrapped with a violet lace ribbon, this white booklet was given to us a week before the big day. Our school's logo, the program's theme, and other stuffs are printed on the front page, while the list of administrators is shown at the back. (Sorry for the lighting, my phone's camera isn't meant for taking high quality photos.)

On the day itself, we had the Baccalaureate Mass in the morning, where the candidates for graduation were blessed by a priest. Right after, we, the students went home to prepare for the most-awaited event in our high school lives -- the culmination of all our hard work and sweat. The girls went to salons to get their hair fixed and prepped up by beauticians, while the boys... well, I don't know what they did, but they probably hung out, enjoying the last few hours of being in high school. One thing I noticed from my girl classmates was... cold wave was the fad during that day. Almost everyone (including me, lol) had their hair temporarily curled and let down. All looked amazingly splendid, by the way.

At exactly 4 in the afternoon, the march began. The candidates for graduation, as well as the faculty, guests, and administrators entered the William Shakespeare Hall and took their seats, right after the Doxology -- "Lord, I Give You My Heart" -- which was sung by us, and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. A Welcome Address was given by my classmate, Allysa, the Salutatorian of our batch. She tackled about both the joy and melancholy that we were feeling as we were about to leave our Alma Mater. After her turn in the podium, a Welcome Song was sung by the Pre-schoolers, 6th Graders (Elementary Level's graduating class) and us, 4th Year - Charles Dickens (High School's graduating class). It was "Journey," and if my memory serves me right, it was popularized by Ms. Lea Salonga.

Right after, the Presentation of Candidates for Graduation led by Dr. Cecile (our vice-principal) followed. The Confirmation ensued, which was conducted by Dr. Javier (our school principal/director). Then, the distribution of certificates followed.

Another song was performed by the graduates; it was "Glowing Inside" by Nikki Gil, sung as a tribute to our beloved parents. After that, the loyalty awardees were given medals by our principal. As far as I can remember, we had five awardees -- Allysa, Kathleen, Lesther, John Paul, and myself. Special awards were given by our vice-principal; those awards include the President's Academic Excellence and Leadership Award and the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award, both for the school year's Valedictorian. Academic Awards for the graduates and undergraduates were then distributed. The subject proficiency awards I received were: Best in English, Best in Filipino, and Best in Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies). xD

(Loyalty Awardees (L-R): Kath, Les, Lai, Paul, myself.)
Then, my moment to capture the audiences' attention came -- it was my turn to take the podium and deliver my Valedictory Address. My speech talked mainly about dreaming and achieving, thus the title, "Dare To Dream." On the last part of it, I included a 'thank you' message dedicated to the school, my classmates, close friends, parents, and most importantly, our Almighty God. It was quite an overwhelming experience to speak in front of a large crowd and mention the hardest, yet essential part of everyone's high school life -- leaving the school behind, yet carrying its glory through choosing the right path of career in college.

Soon after, the loyalty awardees went back to the stage to recite the Pledge of Loyalty. Then, Ms. Ritchel (last year's Valedictorian) inducted the graduates to the Bloomington Alumni Association by leading us in reciting the Alumni Pledge. Lastly, all the graduates went back to the stage for our Graduation Song, "Through the Years," which left us all teary eyed. Recessional came and the graduation ended, but we stayed for a while to take some last batch of photos with our classmates.

(The graduates, with the faculty and administrators.)
My Mama and I, together with my BFF Janina and her mom, Mark (a classmate of mine and close friend), and some first year students went to celebrate at McDonald's Puregold, where we held this AMFP (Ambiguous Minds' Farewell Party), which I will be blogging about next time... Stay tuned!

(Boy Mark, BFF Janina, and I. "The AMs - Ambiguous Minds")
(with Allen, at the back, and half of Luigi's face, beside me, haha!)

Stylish Blogger Award

2011-01-06T18:13:00.007+08:00

Having found enough time to rest and relax (and do my hobbies) -- since I don't have too much work to do for this month, thank God for that -- here's one award I got from Ms. Susan. Check out her new bloggie!

1. Thank and link to the person who awarded this award
The statement was a bit redundant, but there... Thank you, Ms. Susan! I really appreciate this award you sent me~

2. Share 8 things about myself

Ichi.// I am soooo missing Yokosuka, Japan right now and I'm hoping we could go there as soon as possible.
Ni.// My parents don't allow me to keep pets, but I am really a dog and rabbit lover.
San.// I'm sort of a bookworm, though I'm a bit choosy when it comes to reading books.
Yong.// Mainstream music is not my thing; I'm more of an alternative music audiophile... though there are still some popular songs that I like.
Go.// I'd like to go to Paris, France for a vacation with friends and family: to shop, dine, and just relax!
Roku.// Leighton Meester is the prettiest celeb in the world for me, even if I don't watch Gossip Girl.
Nana.// I'm fond of shopping, or window shopping, whichever the case may be.
Hachi.// Doll shoes and dainty dresses are my faves. :)

3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers that I've recently discovered

4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award.
Done~ This was fun! You're all stylish, go enjoy!

Shuffle Tag

2011-01-03T21:31:00.005+08:00

Happy New Year, dearies! How's your first week going so far? Hope everyone's having fun! Anyways, I got tagged by Selly even before the New Year's Eve, but I just recently had the time to answer this. Thank you, Ms. Selly!

1. Put your music on shuffle (iTunes, iPod, Mp3)
2. When you get your song title, add “in my pants” after the song. YOU MUST WRITE IT NO MATTER HOW FUNNY IT SOUNDS.
3. Do this 20 times.
4. Tag, no matter what.

Goodnight and Go in my pants - Imogen Heap
Everything in my pants - MISIA
Paper Bag in my pants - Fiona Apple
Sweet Soul Revue in my pants - Pizzicato Five
Hello Again (My Little Lover) in my pants - JUJU
Booty Music in my pants - Deepside
Out of my League in my pants - Stephen Speaks
The Saltwater Room in my pants - Owl City
Kimi Sae Ireba in my pants - Megumi Hayashibara
First Train Home in my pants - Imogen Heap
Emotion in my pants - Destiny's Child
Strange Lovein my pants - Koop
I'm Like a Lawyer (Me and You) in my pants - Fall Out Boy
Breathe Your Name in my pants - Sixpence None the Richer
Last Song in my pants - Gackt
Teardrops in my pants - The XX
Vanilla in my pants - Gackt
Sleeps with Butterflies in my pants - Tori Amos
Fireflies in my pants - Owl City
Longing (Togireta) Melody in my pants - X Japan

I LOLed upon typing "Goodnight and Go in my pants," it sounds awful, haha, with the fact that it's one of my fave songs! "Vanilla in my pants," made me laugh, too!

Moving on, here are the dearies that I'm tagging:
One~~ BFF Janina
Two~~ Ms. Rozeh
Three~~ Ms. Yasmin
Four~~ Ms. Jacque
Five~~ Ms. Vira

I hope you'll enjoy answering this taggie~ *winks*

Miladyness' Guide to Enjoying the New Year's Eve

2010-12-31T12:49:00.006+08:00

In a few hours, we'll be welcoming the year 2011 with a bang! I know you guys and gals are probably ready with your firecrackers, food for Media Noche (Midnight Feast), karaoke machines, and even New Year's Resolutions! With the countdown and fireworks ready to "BOOM" in just a couple of hours, here are some tips I'm willing to share to you to ensure that you'll get to fully enjoy your New Year's Eve!

(Photo taken from here~)

Get enough rest. Don't be too excited the day before. Believe me, you don't want to feel exhausted immediately before even singing the "Auld Lang Syne," right? You'll be doing a lot of preparations, feasting, and partying tonight with your friends and families, so better get ready. Sleep long enough to stay until past midnight. You'll be excessively using your strength the whole day!
'Cause baby you're a firework! I advise you to stay home (or anywhere safe) the whole day, because in some areas, people light their firecrackers as early as 10am! If the health advisories you've been seeing on the telly isn't enough yet, then let me tell you this: No one's stopping you from buying and using firecrackers; they're beautiful, they're noisy, and New Year's Eve just isn't the same without them! But... BUT... Use them responsibly. Don't let the youngsters play with them. Fire them with precautions. Most importantly, avoid firing your guns up (if you have one, lol), I know you know what'll happen next. So, if you're extra cautious, just use small trumpets instead! Everyone wants a safe and sound New Year, right?
The list. Instead of making New Year's Resolutions that you can't even fulfill no matter how hard you work on it, how about trying to list up your New Year's Goals? I mean... the things that you're hoping for/wanting to happen this new year? Somehow, this will have a positive impact on you. For example, instead of listing "I will not eat too much," replace it with "I want to be healthier." In this way, you will not be too pressured since you're not being very specific, yet a bit more free to think of other ways to achieve the goal. But if you're still persistent to make the good ol' resolution thingy, I suggest you to start with small things. Don't expect to make big changes in yourself that easy. Take one step at a time!
Health buff? Not really, but... well, you still have to take care of yourself this eve. Scrumptious foods will be served in each home, but don't overeat. Also, wines and liquors shouldn't be taken more than how much you can handle. To ensure that you don't eat too much tonight, try taking small servings of various foods. In this way, you'll get to taste all the delicacies without having stomach pains after. And if you cooked too much for your family, why not share 'em with your neighbors? :)
It's partehy time! Enjoy and be merry, dearies! For even just tonight and tomorrow -- it's just two days, by the way (though it's a whole lot better if you do these every single day) -- rekindle old fires, reunite with old friends, renew your family ties... SMILE AND SHARE THE LOVE! Forgive and forget. Love and be loved! So what are you waiting for? Turn on those heavy karaoke machines, put the last few garnishes on that particular food, greet your Facebook and Twitter friends, tune in to your favorite TV network and count down the few hours with them, and welcome the new year with lots of love and laughter!

As for myself, I'll be singing my heart out later with family, greeting my friends through phone and the Internet, lighting up the firecrackers, and tuning in to NHK's Kouhaku! Let's all partehy, dearies! ...with flair~ *winks*

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-30T19:53:00.005+08:00

(Base image from Google; texture from Celestial Star; photo-manipped by yours truly)
To all my dearies: I appreciate every message you send on my chatterbox, every comment you add on my posts, and every visit you make here in my blog. I treasure every single link exchange requests, as well as simple greetings that I've been receiving from you, guys and gals. Truly, this year was an awesome one, for Miladyness~* and myself. I thank you all for your support and love, my beloveds. Let's all make it to another year, shall we?! *winks*

I hope you all enjoyed Christmas in your own ways, 'cause I did, too! Well, a couple of hours to go and we'll be celebrating New Year's Eve. Stay tuned tomorrow for some last minute tips that could help you enjoy your celebration safely and more positively.

Miladyness' Last Minute Reminders for Christmas Eve/Day

2010-12-24T12:44:00.005+08:00

Christmas Eve is finally tonight! Yeaaah~ I only see a few of my friends who are online right now. I bet they're as busy as most of you, cooking dishes for Noche Buena or doing some last minute shopping. Whether you have lots of things to do or you're just relaxing and waiting for the midnight feast, here are some last minute reminders that might be helpful to fully enjoy both your Christmas Eve and Day:

(Photo taken from here~)

Too much isn't good. Seriously, watch your health. Be careful with those foods and drinks, okay? Do not eat and drink too much. I suggest that you eat normally (like your usual healthy diet) but since it's Christmas and you want to try all those dishes cooked by your parents (or by yourself), you can eat several times today. If you don't get what I mean, take this as an example: For breakfast, eat a cup of rice and whatever dish you want to. For lunch, do the same. When time for snacks, it's a good time to eat your pasta. For dinner, eat a bit less just enough to get ready for the midnight feast. Again, be careful with those wines and vodkas. Remember that too much food will result to stomach pains, while too much liquor will definitely give you a terrible hangover the next day. For those who are extra cautious about their figures, don't ruin the fun; enjoy the feast tonight and on New Year's. Believe me, you can lose those extra pounds at the gym right after these occasions. :)
Discipline yourselves. Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean you can disturb the peace and solemnity of the season by recklessly singing out of tune using your rented karaoke machine. (This is soooo common here in the Philippines.) I mean..., yes, you can enjoy the occasion and have fun, but please... when it's time to sleep, please minimize the volume of your machines. Christmas is a solemn occasion, dearies. Also, if you're going to drink tonight, remember that liquors are meant to be put inside your stomachs, not in your head. You get what I mean, drinkers. ;) Drink only enough to have fun!
Enjoy! Whether you're single or taken, enjoy the night. I know Christmas is better if you have someone to kiss under the mistletoe, or someone to hug during the cold night, but... if you're single, then mingle with your friends! Have a ladies'/gentlemen's night with them, but keep it wholesome. :) Moreover, if you're more of the 'social' kind and you're going to spend lots of moolahs to greet your friends using SMS, I'm just going to remind you that cellular networks will get all tangled and busy tonight, so better send those greetings early. And... when it's time to open those gifts, remember to appreciate every small present that you'll receive, okay? :)
Stay at home with friends and family. Tonight, it's better to be at home and spend time with your loved ones. In some areas (especially here in the Philippines), there's a big chance that there will be people lighting up firecrackers later evening, so I suggest you just stay home and be safe. After all, Christmas is about families, right? Help your Mom cook dishes for Noche Buena, or your Dad to decorate the Christmas tree, or even your siblings to wrap those gifts. The morning after, don't forget to visit your relatives, friends, and other family members. It's the perfect time to give out gifts to them. You might be lucky -- your godmothers/godfathers might even give you presents! Going to the mall or hotels/resorts on Christmas Day can also be a good idea to bond with your families. If you're in the Philippines, you can go watch the entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival -- those movies will be shown on the 25th! Just be sure you have a strong tolerance about big crowds (because I don't, haha).
Celebrate Christmas solemnly and peacefully. Well, you get the idea. :) You can go to the church the next day and attend the Christmas Mass with your friends and family. After all, Christmas is indeed about Christ, right?

Well, go ahead, dearies. Enjoy and have fun! Meri Kurisumasu! :x

Miladyness' Survival Guide for the Holidays '10

2010-12-23T14:14:00.007+08:00

Christmas is just around the corner and I know a lot of you have been so busy preparing things such as presents for your friends and family, planning activities for Christmas parties, shopping for stuffs, attending Simbang Gabi or Evening Mass (for those in the Philippines, Mexico, and Spain), cooking dishes for Noche Buena or Christmas Eve feast, and even filling up your wishlist.

(Photo taken from here~)
Doing all these things can be both enjoyable and confusing, now that we only have two days left before celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. To make things easy, I've decided to list ten tips that might become handy to all my dearies this season: both for your Christmas and New Year preparations. Remember Miho's Survival Guide for Christmas 2009? Followed some of my tips back then? Good. I hope you'll all enjoy this season of love and giving so I made another one! Hence, Miladyness' Survival Guide for the Holidays '10:

The early bird catches the worm. Or in our case, the early shopper catches the better ham. Makes sense, right? The first tip is about shopping: We all know that the supermarkets and malls become crowded when the second/third week of December comes, so I advise you to do your Christmas shopping waaaaay earlier than usual. If you did it right and you've visited the grocery and department stores between the last week of November and first week of December, I am pretty sure that you are now satisfied with those decorations, foods, and presents you've bought. If not, (and you're just going to shop today or tomorrow) then expect long lines in the counters. So there, remember this tip every Christmas. :)
Revamp your wishlist. Seriously. Do not expect an iPhone 4, a Macbook Pro, designer clothes and bags, and such if you know your friends and family don't have enough money for them. I suggest that you become more realistic when creating your list. Start with small things. Don't ask yourself what you WANT, but rather, what you NEED the most. Also, they say that "...in expecting less, you gain more."
Avoid the cliché. When shopping for gifts for your loved ones, stop buying those usual presents that we all receive; do these words ring a bell: picture frames, towels, wall clocks, key chains, mugs? Be more creative in choosing gifts. Though, if you don't have enough moolahs for techie gadgets, expensive jewelries and other stuffs, you can do personalized, handmade creations for them. Have a thing for arts and crafts? This is an opportunity to use those skills for good! Not really a "hands-on" type of person? You can just make a heartfelt letter for your dearies. Sometimes, the best gifts are not bought, they are made.
Magnifique. This season is also about beauty. We decorate our houses with ornaments and lanterns, as well as with those festive twinkling lights. Christmas tree is a must but if you're only few in the house and you can't decorate a huge tree, there are other alternatives such as a smaller one. We used to have this singing and dancing 3-feet high Christmas tree when we didn't have a big one yet. And... remember not to overdo those decorations. Just some small trinkets will do. Most importantly, be careful with those lights, okay? Observe the precautions we always see on the telly (or read on the package itself) to ensure the safety of our homes this Christmas.
Reunited and it feels so good! Here in the Philippines, it has always been a tradition to visit the elderly (our grandfathers and grandmothers) and other relatives in our respective provinces. Why not meet with the cousins, nephews, and nieces that you don't get to see often just because you live in the city, far away from them? How about your batch mates in Elementary and High School? Christmas is also the time of the year that we get to spend time with those we love, while taking a vacation from school or work. Your grannies will be so happy to see you; the mere thought that you still value and care for them could be the best gift ever!
Gourmet? This is also the season for food, food, and lots of food! In our country, we have this Noche Buena for the Christmas Eve, and Media Noche for New Year's. If you're going to cook, be sure that you make enough for the whole family. I advise you to make/cook/prepare them hours before they will be served. Some foods even require a whole day to be prepared, so make enough time and read that recipe manual carefully! The usual dishes served this season are: roasted chicken, pasta (spaghetti, carbonara, pancit, etc.), salad (fruit, macaroni, buko, etc.), and steak. Don't forget your wine and ham! Enjoy dining and drinking with your beloveds, but don't eat and drink too much! :)
We like to partehy, we like, we like to partehy~ And no, not only the Vengaboys, but... everyone, right?! Christmas parties are being held everywhere: in your school, your town, your club, etc. If you're going to plan for one, be sure it will be economical and budget-friendly. And since you're going to attend to a lot of parties this month, make sure you have enough to spend for gifts and freebies. Have enough energy, too, lol! Don't get too drunk, by the way, especially if you have a tendency to lose yourself and make fights/troubles when you get intoxicated. If you're single, then mingle! There's no use for getting too emo-ish this season. If you're taken, spend time with your love. Parties are there to delight everyone! Enjoy and be happy, dearies!
It's never too early to plan for the New Year! Wanna have more parties? Want to spend a lot for fireworks? Too excited for the dishes you'll serve on the night before? Make a list of things you have to do/buy because there's only a week and a day to go before we bid farewell to 2010!
It's always better to give than to receive. So, yeah. Let's say you have received another picture frame from the 'exchange gifts' you had during your class' Christmas party. You got something worth a dollar from your friend, but you gave him/her a present worth 5 bucks. You bought your sweetie a new shirt, or better yet your own couple shirt, but he/she just gave you a key chain or a letter saying "I love you." Didn't receive anything from your wishlist? Don't feel disappointed! What matters most is that you've given and shared love. Remember to appreciate everything, even the smallest of gifts that you would receive. After all, the true meaning of Christmas ain't the presents underneath the tree, nor the amount of money your family gave you, so...
Know and give respect to the true meaning of Christmas. This month, this season, everything... it's just a waste if you didn't know why we celebrate the most important event of the year! Christmas is the celebration of the coming, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In short, it is the season to give and share love, just like what God did for us. He showed us His undying love for us through sending His only Son to our world. So what's in it for us, you ask? We must do the same by sharing our blessings not only to those we love, but also to the needy. Have lots of money to share? Go to a charity and donate to those who need MORE. Don't have more than enough? You can still help by giving pennies to those who do carolings in your house. See poor children on the street and you're kinda hesitant to give them money (due to issues that we hear from the news)? Give them food. You don't like that shirt anymore? Donate your used and pre-loved clothes. See?! There are a lot of things you can do to help. :) Moreover, if you're a Christian, don't forget to attend the Evening Masses, as well as the Christmas Day mass. We must also thank God for all the blessings that we receive this year. Even just a short prayer can be your gift to our Almighty God. :)

So, there you have it! I hope all the aforementioned tips would not only make your Christmas merry, but also meaningful. Merry Christmas, dearies! *winks*

Bunch of Stuffs

2010-12-22T00:17:00.004+08:00

Just a quick post for tonight, dearies.

I'm a bit indecisive so I really need your help deciding, okies? Well, I just can't think if it would be better to enable comments here on my blog. What do you think? :) Also, I have been seeing a lot of blogs lately with their own Facebook fanpages already. Would it be a good idea if I start my own too? Please do leave your answers on my chatterbox/tagboard or on my Formspring account.

By the way, I kinda tweaked my bloggie a little: I added stuffs on my Contact section; now you can reach me through Twitter and other sites. Don't hesitate to e-mail me also if you'd like to ask questions. I'd be so happy to hear from you, guys and gals!

Haven't been to my Youtube account yet? :) Visit it if you'd like. I have already uploaded two of my covers there~

Christmas is only a few days away~ Tune in tomorrow here for some tips that might become handy this holiday season. G'dnytie, dearies~

Tagged! :)

2010-12-20T15:21:00.005+08:00

Thank you, Esther Angela of Poppimeshi for the tag~ :x

1. Why did you create this blog?
"This blog is my diary. This is where my thoughts and feelings are written, as well as my memoirs and experiences. I want to keep track of my exploits for future reminiscence. It would be nice to sit down, after twenty years or so, read who I was during my teenage years, and compare how much I've grown." -- excerpt from my "Site" section.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
Two reasons why I follow blogs: 1.) I like its content (food, photography, inspiration, fashion) or the owner is a close friend of mine. 2.) You asked me to follow your blog. :) So, yeah... I'm not that strict in choosing the blogs I follow, just ask my and I'll do it -- but, I might unfollow it if I noticed something I don't like about your blog, i.e. rude content, inactive blog.

3. Favourite makeup brand?
I don't wear make-ups, sorry. xD

4. Favourite clothing brand?
I'm not really particular about brands, but I like Get Laud! for its fashionable dresses, and Apple & Eve for its exquisite and classy designs.

5. Your indespensible makeup product:
Does powder count? Lol.

6. Your favourite colour:
Pastel colors are cute. :x Slate blue, baby blue, baby pink, autumn colors...

7. Your perfume:
Not really choosy but my fave is Chanel Allure.

8. Your favourite film:
I like espionage/action-comedy movies, as well as Disney ones. :)

9. What country would you like to visit and why?
I would always want to visit Japan yearly, if possible. Other than that, it's France.

10. Make the last question yourself and answer:
Question: What is 5 squared?
Answer: Twenty-five! (25) *giggles*

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(I'll tag 5 only, but you can repost it on your blog if you'd like to answer the questions even if I didn't tag you)

I'm tagging these lovely dearies of mine:
Un.// BFF Janina
Deux.// Ms. Jacque
Trois.// Ms. Joirene
Quatre.// Ms. Lmyx
Cing.// Ms. CeeDee

Enjoy!

The Versatile Blogger: Award

2010-12-16T22:45:00.006+08:00

Thank you, Ms. Selly for sending me this award~ It's the first one I got, by the way. :x

Rules to follow when you accept this award:1. Thank and link back whoever who gave you the award2. Share 7 things about yourself3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you have recently discovered and enjoyed4. Leave your recipient a note, telling them about this award

Here are 7 fun facts about myself (aside from those stated in my Mistress section thingy. *winks*)
I like to juggle stuffs/hobbies. I am not only a writer/blogger, but I also do record covers of song that I like, as well as take pictures of scenery and foods. I also do cosplays in my free time.
I am DEFINITELY not a K-Pop fan, but I still have one song that belongs to the genre, which I enjoy: Genie by SNSD.
My fave place in Japan (aside from Yokosuka, being my aunt's family's location) is Akihabara~
I am soooo in love with everything cute~ :x
I say "stuffs," instead of "stuff." Because I like it that way. :)
I am one of Samurai Jack's fangirls. One day, I will build a legion of Jack's little girls. *winks*
Being the not-your-ordinary party girl that I am, I like going to partehys (parties) but I don't act all wild and drunk no matter how much alcohol I drink. (...and I do not know how it's possible, lol.)

The awesome bloggers whom I pass this award to:
1. BFF Janina
2. Ms. Sabrina
3. Ms.Xian
4. Ms. Tara
5. Ms. Geneve
6. Ms. Ica
7. Ms. Susan

Ambiguous Minds -- A Clique for Eccentricity

2010-12-15T14:23:00.010+08:00

Different? Eccentric? Unique? Vague? AMBIGUOUS?

Are you one of us? Join now!

Ambiguous Minds -- A Clique for Eccentricity is an online environment/clique for bloggers/webowners who think that they're different from the norm. The said group has been existing for almost a year now, but I have just launched its official site/listing last Friday, 10th of December.

am-big-u-ous(adj.) \am-ˈbi-gyə-wəs\-

doubtful or uncertain especially from obscurity or indistinctness
inexplicable
capable of being understood in two or more possible senses or ways

Etymology: Latin ambiguus, from ambigere to be undecided, from ambi- + agere to drive

(...excerpt from Merriam-Webster)

When we say ambiguous, we mean:

Those who possess more than three talents.
Those who consider themselves as geniuses.
Those who are overly imaginative.
Those who can't be placed in any stereotypical category.
Those who are usually left out on a group.
Those who think about the world, the government, or the society, other than themselves.
Those who are DIFFERENT.

Anyone is welcome to join, if and only if you have one or more of the aforementioned qualifications. Aside from the listing, we also have a forum site. We'll surely give the new AMs a warm welcome upon joining. Rules and other stuffs are all stated on the site. Click the icon below to visit. :)

The Hershey Legacy

2010-12-08T13:42:00.005+08:00

Image from here~

I looooove Hershey's chocolates, they're actually my fave! (No, it's not Meiji. Just because I am a Japanese buff doesn't mean that even my fave choc is made in Japan.) *winks* Milk Chocolate bars and Kisses are exceptional! They literally melt in your mouth; they also have this distinct milky-chocolatey-gooey (ugh, I can't find the right word for it) flavor, entirely different from most chocs out there.

So, earlier today, our neighbor (my Mama's friend) visited us and gave us a couple of chocolates. I didn't ask why, but I think her son came home from his work abroad. We received a pack of Kitkat bars, a Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar, and a pack of Nestle Crunch. These are my top three chocs, by the way, Hershey being the first, Kitkat, the second, and Crunch, the third. I was so thankful to her~ She's so nice!

After receiving, I went straight in front of my computer to check some things online. Feeling a bit thirsty, I headed to the fridge and picked up a bottle of Japanese tea, which I then place near my PC. I checked the fridge again and saw that my Mama had already placed the chocs inside. Quite curious, I looked at the back portion of the Hershey bar and read and "Thank You" stuff on it. I saw a web URL, which I kept in mind. Finally, I closed the fridge and went back to check my PC. I typed in the URL and it led me to this page...

The Hershey Legacy
From here, I have learned that every purchase of a Hershey product, one 'helps' the a school foundation. According to this site, “Every Hershey’s product you’ve enjoyed has helped support children in need through Milton Hershey School. Thank You for making a difference!” This is the same "Thank You" message on the back portion of my Hershey bar. (Erm, I mean... the choc given to me, hihi.) It means that now, you don't only get to satisfy your Hershey cravings, but also help the students of Milton Hershey School. THAT IS SOOO AWESOME! :)

Are you a Hershey lover like me? Then why not buy some chocs for you and your family today? This can also be a nice Christmas gift to your sweetheart and/or friends. :) Continue supporting The Hershey Legacy, dearies~

Meme'd my Cousin!

2010-12-02T13:00:00.005+08:00

Melted out of too much cuteness, dearies? Fear not! He's just the oh-so-adorable baby cousin that I always mention on my posts regarding Japan. I found this photo on his mother's (my aunt) Facebook and the second thing that came to my mind (first was, of course, that he's super cute~) was: "How was he able to imitate the Y-U-NO guy?!" Haha. Look closely... If you are fond of Internet memes, then you may have recognized the "expression" that he's making in the photo.

By the way, "Ate Mikha" is what he often calls me. "Ate" is a Filipino term used to refer to older sisters/cousins or any female friend that is older than you, while "Mikha" is my childhood/household nickname. The reason for the caption on the lower part of the photo -- I wasn't able to attend his 3rd birthday party because we didn't extend our visa in Japan. This was due to the fact that I had to take entrance examinations for various universities.

*sighs* I still wish I had the chance to attend his party. I miss you, Riki-kun!

-------

Moving on... Dearies, I have to ask you something -- I was thinking of enabling comments for each post here in my blog. Whaddayathink? Should I or shouldn't I? *smiles*

Lastly, I just want to remind you, guys and gals, that you can always participate in my "Ask the Milady" segment just by sending me an e-mail or posting a question on my formspring account. Ask anything, whether it's personal or blog-related; you can also ask advices for your dilemmas. It will be a great pleasure to help you, my beloved~

Japan Bump (plus nostalgia)

2010-11-25T14:01:00.004+08:00

It has been two months already since the last time I got to breathe the fresh air of Nihon. I really miss the food, the people, its rich culture, and the different places we went to when we were still there. There were times when I wish we were still there with my aunt's family.

Nostalgia hits me whenever I get to read articles online about Japan, or watch a Japan-related news on the TV. I am really a huge fan of anything Japanese, since I was born and raised by a family with some of its members working in the said country. I have visited Nihon twice (once before my Elementary graduation, and recently after High School) but I still can't get enough of it! I'm a proud Hispanic-Filipina, and even if I love my homeland, the Philippines, so much, I can still say that due to my family's inclination towards Japanese culture, I have been accustomed to liking Japanese stuffs like music and food, for example. Most of my favorite songs and artists are Japanese, the most delicious food for me (which is Gyudon) is of course, Japanese, and even my nickname, Miho, is indeed, Japanese in origin.

Anyways, even if it'll take me two to four years before I can go visit the "Land of the Rising Sun" again, I stay in-touch and informed about various Nihon-related stuffs through Japan Bump, a one-stop Japanese website by Mr. Chris Kempson, the same man who brought you Tasty Miso.

You don't only get to read articles on the site-- you can also submit yours if you are a blogger, as long as they're Japan-related. It's somewhat like an 'article collective' so it is easier for Japan fans out there to discover more things about the country, its people, and all things related to it. So, to all my dearies, whether you're just curious about Japan, you're planning to work or study there, or you're Japanese buff (like me), go ahead and check Japan Bump! *winks*

Food Trip: Dairy Queen

2010-11-23T13:38:00.005+08:00

Two weeks has passed and I still haven't got time to search for my Graduation programme. *sweatdrop* But, due to the fact that I have gone beyond my quota for work this month, I am now free to blog, write, and do other stuffs like, read my Japanese magazine with Namie Amuro on the cover, for example. (By the way, in case you're wondering how my Graduation programme mysteriously disappeared, I have to tell you that it wasn't stolen or something... I just can't remember where I kept it before we left the country for Japan half a year ago.)

Well, I am here to tell you about my first DQ experience. *winks* The day before my Dada (I call my father such;'dad' and 'daddy' are so common) left for his work (he's a seaman, so he works abroad... err-- in the ocean), my family and I went to the mall to do grocery-shopping and such. Suddenly, I remembered that Mark, one of my friends in high school, would celebrate his birthday a few days after. When I thought of this, I felt a craving for something sweet that's usually being eaten during birthdays, like a cake or ice cream (or an ice cream cake, lol.) With this in mind, the first thing I thought of was Baskin Robbins, which, unfortunately, we don't have here in the Philippines. I really missed the smooth texture of BR ice cream that we used to eat when we were still in Japan.

After shopping, we strolled around the mall. Then, I saw a man with a cup of Dairy Queen Blizzard. I was surprised to know that a DQ store was finally available in SM Fairview! *insertfangirlishscreamhere*

I am not a big fan of ice cream, by the way -- I eat Frozen Yogurt 'coz it's a lot healthier, but a cup won't hurt, right? So, I decided to go search for that newly-opened DQ store. At first, I didn't know what to order, since, well, like I said, it was my first time. I heard from a lot of people (and some of my friends) that Oreo Blizzard is the store's bestseller, so I went to try it. Guess what? I liked it! Astonishment filled me when it was served to me upside down. I was like, "How was it possible that the ice cream didn't drip or something?" (Yah, I seem to be an ignorant when it comes to science-related things.)

It was really amazing! I liked how the Oreo bits' taste match perfectly with the vanilla ice cream. Dearies, you should definitely try it~ *winks* Here are some photos of me, enjoying my first DQ experience:

By the way, Dairy Queen doesn't only serve ice cream, but shakes and ice cream cakes as well! Why not give a friend or your loved one a Dairy Queen ice cream cake for his/her birthday? Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, or just wanting to chill out with friends, go ahead and make your day special with various Dairy Queen products! :)

Octobergloom: Infinite Grand Launch!

2010-11-10T18:39:00.006+08:00

While still trying to find my Graduation programme to finally write a blog post about my high school GRANDuation, I'd like to update you, dearies, on what I've been doing these past few days~

Last week, I had my second attempt to cosplay. (Yes, I am an amateur cosplay hobbyist now~) My boyfriend and I attended the UP AME Track 10 at SMX Convention Area last Saturday. I was there for the Karaoke Contest, not for the Cosplay Competition (since, I am not YET an official cosplayer, hihi~) I'll make sure to blog about it next time. *winks*
While waiting for the announcement of winners during the AME Track 10, we dropped by the World Trade Center to see how the gamers were doing at the Level Up! Live event.
Still last week, I got so busy preparing for the launch of my collective+portfolio site. Not just simple HTML site, by the way; it involved PHP coding, which wasn't taught to us in high school... so I had to do a little research and self-study. *sweatdrop*
Currently pausing my recent drama-romance novel since I've started writing my first English bar-related one-shot short story. This will be veeeeery interesting for readers of all ages~
I've just received my credit card yesterday, yay! Thank God moment!
...and finally, last Monday, 8th of November, was the grand launch of my collective+portfolio site that features my Symphonia network, plus some of my literary and graphic designs. Just click the button below to visit!

Octobergloom is my official domain and site. It is now available for link exchanges, affiliations, as well as advertisements. Visit the sitey for more infos. Hope you'll all enjoy your visit, dearies! *smiles*

'Til here for now... Remember to reach for thy dreams, dearies, and take a flight~ ...with flair~ *winks*

BFF Bonding! ...with flair~ winks

2010-11-02T20:31:00.014+08:00

Last March, just several days before my high school graduation, my BFF (Best Friend Forever) Janina and I went to SM Fairview with my Mama not just to celebrate the upcoming vacation, but also, to bond for the very first time outside the walls of our school.

The bonding started when we met somewhere around the mall then proceeded to Karaoke Hub to sing together. In case you're wondering, BFF and I both love singing as much as Romeo loves Juliet, and vice versa. (Lol, sorry for the weird correlation but... that's the only thing I can think of right now, though kinda inappropriate.) I really can't remember what I sang that time, but there's one thing that I couldn't forget - Janina sang "Love Story" by Taylor Swift (okay, so now you get what I mean, right?) then she added Mark's (her Mark-kun, I mean) version which goes 'Janina, I'll take you somewhere we can be alone.' (Ohhh-- that was sooo sweet!) I know I took a viddie of it but I can't upload it here, sorry dearies.

After getting our diaphragms tired due to excessive singing, we had our snacks at Yellow Cab, a pizza place before shopping. Then, my BFF bought herself a new pair of earphones in one of the tech shops on the 3rd floor of the said mall. Next stop, the department store. I bought a cheap, yet good-looking headband, while Janina bought a brownish cap which really looked good on her. We chitchatted all day about random things (like we always do, except we were not in school nor online) and laughed our hearts out.

Before parting our ways, we went to Tom's World, an arcade, where we played some games. "I just wanna get three shots, for Mark," she said while trying her basketball skills on one of the arcades. Luckily, she managed to score three points, and yes... it was all for Mark. *winks*

The time came when we had to bid each other farewell for that day. I super enjoyed our little moments together. I hope everyone gets to bond with their BFFs the same way(or better) than I did every once in a while. It feels good to be with people you love - just sharing simple things and enjoying life to the fullest.

I'M HERE! :x:x

2010-10-29T21:03:00.011+08:00

GYUDON QUEEN IS HERE!

After months of unexpected emergency hiatus, I have finally returned from both my rest from blogging, and from my journey-slash-vacation in Japan. *smiles* Yes, you heard me right - I am now here in my homeland, the Philippines.

I arrived a month ago from the "Land of the Rising Sun" to the "Pearl of the Orient." Upon arriving, I got engaged in several activities that made me too busy to visit and update my blog. Hence, an unexpected hiatus. Please do forgive me for not letting you, dearies, know about this. Once I stepped foot here in my beloved country, I couldn't even keep track of that things I had to do, so I had to write all those things and save it in a notepad file located on my desktop.

I had just finished most of the important and urgent things I had to deal with, so now, I have enough time for rest and relaxation, plus... blogging. :) I have soooo much to share with you, lovelies, but it's getting late here so I'll just give you a 'sneak peek' of all my upcoming blog entries this week/month. :)

BFF Bonding- This should have been posted a few months ago. It'll be about my first mall bonding with my BFF Janina before the graduation.
GRANDuation- My high school graduation - the culmination of all the hard work and sweat, haha.
AMFP - Ambiguous Minds' Farewell Party... our clique's partehy after the graduation.
Things I'll Miss In High School
WD - My Senior Year
Food Trip - Japan (2)
...and a new segment coming up! Watch out for it, dearies! *winks*

'Til here for now! Hugs and kisses, everyone! *sends virtual hugs and kisses*

Food Trip: I Scream!

2010-08-07T23:48:00.015+08:00

I bet when someone mentions "Japanese desserts," the first thing that'll come to your mind is 'mochi' or rice cake. Most people think that this is Japan's staple dessert. Nah-uh, I don' think so! Just like any other countries, Japanese people love ice cream, especially this 'natsu' or summer season.

While walking around Yokosuka-chuo, one can see a lot of people eating ice cream of various flavors and sizes. One popular store for this delicious and refreshing dessert here in Nihon is Baskin Robbins (commonly called '31'). Two months ago, 31 had this special promo: three scoops of your flavors of choice will only cost you 400 yen! And yes, my family and I took this "Triple Challenge!"

Out of almost 31 flavors (yes, I guess that's where its nickname came from), we chose Popping Shower (bottom), Jamocha Kohi/Coffee (middle), and Rocky Road (top). Honestly, that was my first ice cream experience here in Japan. I really enjoyed it (despite having sore throat that time) and had this observation: this particular dessert in Japan has a different consistency/texture (I'm not good with culinary terms) compared to its Philippine counterpart. Japanese 'aisukurimu' is denser than Philippine 'ayskrim,' and it will take longer before it melts. *drools* Indeed, Baskin Robbin stays true to its tagline, "We make people happy."

Aside from this super yummy brand, another tasty ice cream shop got visited by Miladyness herself... Cold Stone Creamery has several branches across Japan. When we went to Yokohama Cosmo World to ride Riki-kun's fave 'kanransha' or ferris wheel, we stopped by a mall to eat dinner before heading back home. We were in-the-mood for some cold treat, so we went to this shop.

I personally liked how the creamery boys prepared the treat. First, a guy asked our flavor of choice. From the stand above, he scooped it out and placed it on a metal platform. Using a certain kind of spoon, he flattened the ice cream, put slices of brownies, folded them in, and sprinkled chocolate chips on top. He then asked us whether we like it on a waffle bowl or in a waffle cone. The boys were so friendly, they even talked to us in English. :) And here it is, Chocolate Devotion~ *giggles*

A cheaper and simpler treat that's being enjoyed by adults and children alike here is the 'sofuto krimu' or soft ice cream. Here in Japan, mixed flavors are a big hit! Soft cream shops blend vanilla with almost every flavor you can imagine. Popular combos include: vanilla+strawberry, vanilla+choco, and vanilla+green tea. One flavor combo that I love this vanilla+melon, which can be found in a food shop at Cainz' Home, Kurihama.

Another flavor that I like is this vanilla+mocha soft cream being sold at a dessert shop in front of my aunt's bar. I heard that this shop is considered 'yume,' literally means 'dream,' but for businesses and shops, it means 'popular' or 'widely patronized.'

Two weeks ago, we went to Miura, a province near Yokosuka, to attend 'matsuri' (festival). The intense heat of the sun made us crave for ice cream. Luckily, a 7-Eleven convenience store was nearby. A family friend bought pretty ice drops for us. Mine was green apple with vanilla filling~

Our ice cream galore has come to an end. *cheers* Wait, I almost forgot... If you're living in Japan, or planning to visit the country soon, do stop by a Baskin Robbins branch. They're currently having this 1+1/2 promo, in which you can buy a scoop of your the flavor you like, and get half a scoop of another flavor for a special discounted price~ :x

*waves good bye*

Food Trip: Japan

2010-07-27T22:49:00.007+08:00

I am hungry! *laughs* I can't think of anything better to start this blog post than to tell you how I'm feeling right now. Anyway, I'll be talking about foods today, so I guess the first sentence is quite necessary (or not, lol.)

Japan is famous for its scrumptious delicacies and the likes. Sushi, sashimi, ramen, yakiniku, gyudon - and the list just goes on and on... Take your pick, dearies, because when you're here, I am sure that you'll all be confused on what to eat first. *giggles*

On the night of our arrival, we headed to a restaurant along the highway. I wasn't sure what I ate that time and I didn't have the chance to ask what it's called. All I know is that it's pretty much like gyudon or yakiniku; it was beef glazed with sweet and sour sauce.

During my first week, my aunt taught my how to make onigiris (Japanese rice balls). Often eaten by children and adults alike, these little cuties aren't only convenient to eat... they're also very tasty!

Basically, you just have to prepare Japanese rice (or any other rice that's easy to mold), nori (edible seaweed), and your choice of salmon, eggs, tuna, or bacon (or anything you'd like for the filling). Damp your hands and put half a cup (or a cup, it's up to you) of rice on your palm. Press it with your other hand. Then, put your desired filling on top of it. Fold the rice, but make sure that the filling is neatly placed inside. It's up to you if you'd like to shape it as triangle or circle. Lastly, wrap a piece of nori around the onigiri. Make as many as you like and share it with family and friends. :)

On weekends, we go out to have dinner in restaurants or malls. One night, we had shoyu ramen for dinner at Jusco mall's food court. Ramens vary according to the soup base and toppings. Famous ramen types include shoyu, miso, tonkotsu, and shio. There are also specific ramen types based from its region of origin like Yokohama ramen or Hokkaido ramen.

Riki-kun's (my baby cousin) favorite food is champon, a noodle soup much like ramen, but healthier because it has vegetable toppings instead of beef or pork. Japan's famous champon restaurant, Ringer Hut, is only a 10-minute ride away from our house, that is why we usually go there for dinner. I heard that there are also Ringer Hut branches around the world, particularly in America and Thailand, so what are you waiting for? Try a champon for dinner tonight. :)

If you're going to ask me what my favorite Japanese food is, then I'd answer GYUDON in an excited tone! Yes, the yummy rice bowl topped with beef and raw egg is what makes me drool (aside from berries and pretty ice cream, lols.) There are several restaurants famous for their specialty gyudon like Matsuya, Yoshinoya, and Sukiya. But among the three, I often crave for Sukiya gyudon.

You've all had eyegasm from these yummy foods that I mentioned, right? That's enough for today. I don't want my dearies drooling over the photos. :) 'Til next time! Hugs and kisses for everyone! :x

Sights and Views (Japan)

2010-07-22T23:53:00.010+08:00

It's been a long time, dearies! :) Well, I don't wanna bore you with a long explanation why I wasn't able to post for about two weeks or so. Let's just say that I've been procrastinating A LOT. I was adjusting to certain stuffs (which I can't say here for confidentiality's sake), but now everything's fine! Hurray!

Having a three-month vacation here in Japan is one of the best (and longest) summer I had so far. I am now living here in my aunt's house with her, my Mama, my uncle (aunt's husband), and my baby cousin, Riki-kun (aunt and uncle's son) just so my dearies know. :) The land of the rising sun is awesome. People here mind their own business and won't talk to you unless you need help. They don't care whatever you're wearing and won't stare at you nor make you feel odd.

The sights and views here are AMAZING. Our humble abode is located in Yokosuka, a part of Kanagawa prefecture. Though we have lots of mountains and parks, we're still in a civilized area where buildings and establishments are all around us. Tall trees make you feel like you're in a forest, but as you look around, you'll see many houses, condominiums (or 'mansions'), restaurants, pachinko slots and game centers, boutiques, and some malls. A 5-minute ride from our house, there is this certain downward slope street where you can see a magnificent view of the crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. Yes, you read it right! Take a fifteen-minute ride from our house and you can go to the Yokosuka shore facing the Pacific Ocean. I don't know if a ferry boat can take you there, but believe it or not, our far right is already Hawaii. Totally cool! :x

Near the shore, there are (I think) five malls. My all-time favorite is Daiei, which is like the one-stop-mall for dining, relaxation, shopping, and recreation. Second is More's City with nine floors. Third is Livin' which offers a clear view of the misty ocean. There are other malls, but those three are on the top of my list. :)

I'll be blogging a lot more about my adventures here in Japan next time. For now, here are the pretty views that can be seen from the terrace of our house~

See you all soon, dearies! :x

My Summer '10 So Far... : The Wrap-up

2010-06-23T22:40:00.006+08:00

Hey, everyone! Tonight's post is going to be the last one for this segment of mine. :) The wrap-up will begin shortly...

in three...

two...

one...

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This summer has been one of the greatest I had so far. Though half of it was wasted due to procrastination and catching the Summer Boredom Syndrome, I was really satisfied in the end. I had more than enough time to stretch my tired muscles and relax for a couple of months before entering the last phase of my student life.

Seriously, the first month was pure nonsense. But, fortunately, the second month was a bliss. I had the chance to learn basic culinary stuffs that I'll be needing through out College and in my chosen profession. Also, I was able to write some chapters for The Pundits. Got a new BFF (Best Friend Forever) and I really care for her. I got my first (though unpaid) summer job, which I really enjoyed. I got closer to some acquaintances. Improved my socialization skills. Started taking slow steps towards my dream to become famous. I recorded some songs. Wrote new songs and poems. *slowly notices that this paragraph is getting longer but is not in the mood to write in bullets* I bought some new shoes and dresses. Made some new friends. Reconnected with old friends. Showed the people I love how much they are important to me. Played several new games. *cuts the paragraph* (I don't like long paragraphs, btw.)

*continues* Tried something different. Quitted some old habits. Instilled new good values. Became famous in a certain aspect. Discovered a new talent. Dyed my hair red. Started to feel better about myself and believing in my capabilities. Uplifted my self-esteem. Laughed too hard with friends. Went to Japan and is now currently staying here with my beloved family. Fed my baby cousin, lols, and played with him. Drank three shots of tequila. Walked around Yokosuka while raining. Learned new Nihonggo words. Learned how to read and write Katakana and Hiragana. Laughed out loud inside a car with my aunt, Mama, and baby cousin. Practiced cooking here in Japan. Felt too flattered after being told that my scrambled eggs were so yummy. Got interested and tried food photography. Took random photos. Stared at random Japanese girls whose fashion were too amazing to be ignored. Smiled. Laughed. Loved (and I'm still in love with him)... and became closer to God. :)

Though My Summer '10 So Far... segment is about to end, I'll be spending the last three (or four, we're not yet sure about it) months of my vacation here in Japan. :) At last, summer in the Philippines has already ended, yet the hot season will soon be starting in some other countries like America (am I right?) and Japan. To all my dear readers who'll be spending their summer vacations in a few weeks, I hope you'll enjoy yours!

Kkthxbye! :)

My Summer '10 So Far... : love :x

2010-06-20T22:51:00.005+08:00

We all know that a picture can paint a thousand words, right? xD So, there's no need to explain. This summer, (and even before the season started) my heart is beating fast... :x

And yes, he's the sunshine of My Summer '10 So Far... :)

*Note: The words written on the photo are part of my new (unfinished) song. xD

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I also should have blogged about socialization and stuffs, but my laptop usage is limited. We all know that Myspace is slowly vanishing, Friendster is ALMOST forgotten, LiveJournal is still being used by some, Wordpress is for professionals, while these social networking sites are hip this summer for both teens and adults: Facebook and its fan pages, Tumblr and its typographies, Formspring and its (rather annoying) anonymous asks, Twitter for its celeb tweets, and still, Blogger for its nifty and fun blogging system. :)

Tomorrow, I'll be posting the wrap-up of this segment (if I have time and if Riki-kun will sleep early, lols). Hope you enjoyed reading about my adventures this summer~

Kkthxbye!

My Summer '10 So Far... : Nihon (Part 2)

2010-06-18T18:36:00.003+08:00

Konbanwa, minna-san! This is the last part of our 2-part special about my first few adventures here in Japan as a record of My Summer '10 So Far... :)

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For the second and third days of our stay, my aunt invited us to come with her to work. Her workplace is just near our house; it's just a couple of meters away. She works as a bartender in a small bar named "Plum." She serves drinks and sings with the customers sometimes. I think she's the prettiest and sweetest bartender in the whole world, and the most talented too!

We went there at around 7pm and stayed until 2am. I drank Shochu (a Japanese alcoholic drink), some beer, red wine, and on our second/last day, three shots of tequila with tomato juice as the chaser. I am allowed to drink occasionally, so it's okay with my family. :) We had fun singing English and Japanese songs. I personally liked it when the customers enjoy what we were singing. I also liked having duets with my aunt. It was really a brand new experience for me - to entertain and have fun at the same time. Guess what? I even got a prize for getting the night's lucky score, which was 81... and the prize was a small bottle of red wine, haha!

Unfortunately, my Tita (aunt) quitted her job yesterday because of some personal issues. But, luckily, she found another job just today!

We can't go out often here in Japan, because both my Tita and Tito have their jobs. Though, every Sunday, we'll go out for they consider it as their "family day." Still, I'll be having fun here, thanks to my baby cousin (who hates me, but I don't know what I did wrong). He's like, the star of my summer vacation~ :x 愛してるよ、りきーくん！

We still have one more eppie before this segment will have its wrap-up! And it will be all about the sunshine of My Summer '10 So Far... :) You can guess what (or who) I'm talking about, if you like. Stay tuned! xD

Kkthxbye!

My Summer '10 So Far... : Nihon (Part 1)

2010-06-17T14:55:00.004+08:00

Konnichiwa, minna-san! I'm back from a short-term hiatus. I am now here in the land of the rising sun, Japan, living with my aunt, uncle, my baby cousin Riki, and my Mama. Today's post will be a 2-part special about stuffs that happened on our journey to this magnificent place, and our first week's stay.

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The trip started last Sunday, 13th of June. My Mama, my Lola (granny), our driver, and I left the house at exactly 9:30 in the morning. We went to the airport and had lunch there. I really didn't wanna leave my Lola alone in the Philippines, but we had to go to Japan to take care of my cousin. We waited until 1:30 to check-in. While at the waiting area, I called my BFF Janina and bade her good bye. After a few minutes, we were asked to go inside the airplane already. We took the flight PR 432 to Narita. The trip lasted for 3 hours and 50 minutes.

While inside the plane, I listened to songs through the on-board radio, while Mama watched movies. I watched the clouds through out the flight and admired the beauty of the sky. The plane landed at 7pm (Japan time). My aunt, uncle, and Riki fetched us.

It was my first time to ride their green car, which was small but cute. From Narita to Yokosuka, we traveled for 2 hours. The temperature was a bit cold, 22c to be exact. Upon arriving, I went straight to bed, but unfortunately, I couldn't sleep because of Riki's noise. Thankfully, I was able to sleep at around 2am.

The next day, we went to the mall to buy groceries. I really had fun walking around the city with my family. I really missed them a lot and I'm very thankful that we're here now~ We'll be staying here in Japan for three months or so.

Stay tuned for the last remaining episodes of My Summer '10 So Far... :)

Hiatus!

2010-06-11T21:52:00.003+08:00

Miladyness~*

Stay Impassioned! -- A Guide For Artists

Vitamin PF: Pretty Food // JiPan~

Vitamin PF: Pretty Fashion // White Shorts

Vitamin PF: Pretty Food // Pancakes!

Vitamin PF: Pretty Fashion // Tangerine Tango

Yearly To-Do List: 2012

Vitamin PF: Pretty Fun // Introduction

Annual Wrap-Up: 2011

Miladyness' Fifteen Things I Love About the Holidays

Holiday Wishes!

Holiday Treat -- The Unveiling

Handwriting Meme and Holiday Treat!

Miladyness' Online Gift Ideas for the Holidays '11

Beautify Your Christmas!

Winter Wonders~

Food Trip: University Treats

Even Eleven Tag

Rainy Eve Tag

Blossoming Passion~

Miladyness will be on...

Smart Saturdays # 9: The Finale

Symphonia~

Smart Saturdays # 8

Cosplay-Singer

Smart Saturdays # 7

Sweetest Sixteen~

Smart Saturdays # 6

Food Trip: Japan (2)

Smart Saturdays # 5

WD - My Senior Year

Smart Saturdays # 4

Yearly To-Do List: 2011

Smart Saturdays # 3

Yearbook Samples

Smart Saturdays # 2

Things I Miss in High School: Top Five~

Smart Saturdays # 1: Introduction

Things I Miss in High School

Annual Wrap-Up: 2010

Summer... warmer!

L'amour Giveaways -- The Unveiling

Senior Year is Here!

L'amour Giveaways~

Spread The Love~

AMFP -- Ambiguous Minds' Farewell Partehy!

GRANDuation

Stylish Blogger Award

Shuffle Tag

Miladyness' Guide to Enjoying the New Year's Eve

Happy Holidays!

Miladyness' Last Minute Reminders for Christmas Eve/Day

Miladyness' Survival Guide for the Holidays '10

Bunch of Stuffs

Tagged! :)

The Versatile Blogger: Award

Ambiguous Minds -- A Clique for Eccentricity

The Hershey Legacy

Meme'd my Cousin!

Japan Bump (plus nostalgia)

Food Trip: Dairy Queen

Octobergloom: Infinite Grand Launch!

BFF Bonding! ...with flair~ *winks*

I'M HERE! :x:x

Food Trip: I Scream!

Food Trip: Japan

Sights and Views (Japan)

My Summer '10 So Far... : The Wrap-up

My Summer '10 So Far... : love :x

My Summer '10 So Far... : Nihon (Part 2)

My Summer '10 So Far... : Nihon (Part 1)

Hiatus!

BFF Bonding! ...with flair~ winks