tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53536072024-03-13T11:56:38.341+08:00psst... yosi tayomissyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.comBlogger532125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-18541727714915759112020-12-31T23:30:00.019+08:002021-01-02T05:50:15.585+08:0020 for 2020<p>Another plot twist for this year -- me, updating this blog π
</p><p>I thought I'd spend the last few hours of this year listing 20 .... hmmmm ... notable (?) things about my 2020.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29C0Nmz-R3w/X-3E3Uf8_EI/AAAAAAAADVE/nvg8JmzJpHIDDMaPFrDbUyg9qamc86CNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s120/smiling-face-with-tear_1f972.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="120" data-original-width="120" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-29C0Nmz-R3w/X-3E3Uf8_EI/AAAAAAAADVE/nvg8JmzJpHIDDMaPFrDbUyg9qamc86CNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/smiling-face-with-tear_1f972.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://emojipedia.org/smiling-face-with-tear/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source</span></a></div><div><br /></div><span><div><span>There are A LOT of notable things that happened this year all over the country, well, basically all over the world, but this list would just be those that had the most impact on me.</span></div><br />Oh by the way, this is going to be really old-school so more stream-of-consciousness and less photos (or maybe none? Let's see how this goes haha!)</span><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 My 40th birthday</b> </span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Staycation, piercing, pig-out and time with the daughter. Then the bestest surprise party ever the next day, thanks to the daughter and the favorite boy π</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. During this time, Taal has already erupted, while there were news of this *virus* from China. Darice and I even attempted to buy face masks in Watson's when we had to buy saline solution for my piercing, to no avail.</div><div><br /></div><div>P.P.S. This might be the only notable thing before the pandemic π</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Lockdown</b> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>When lockdown started, I really thought it will just be a few months at most. (That would be evident with the GrabCar codes I bought from our Flexible Benefits, which was already less than what I bought the previous period, and I still have a lot of unused codes from the first batch of codes even though I've already shared them to the favorite boy and my brother.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I was a bit anxious at first, but I was luckier than most because we had a grocery very near to us that was walking distance, and I was not at the mercy of MetroMart's schedule. The first few weeks were SURREAL though to be honest -- getting a quarantine pass, making sure you always have an ID, then seeing all those military personnel when you do go out. It was like out of an apocalyptic movie, but instead of zombies threatening us, it's an invisible killer.</div><div><br /></div><div>And now, 9 months later, we're still supposed to be in quarantine, but during the rare times I have gone to the mall, it's like the only difference is that people are wearing masks and face shields. People are still out and about but we're still in a pandemic. How?!?</div><div> </div></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3 Work-from-home</b> </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Working from home has its pros and cons, and I still can't decide if this is really my journey or not. Maybe I can decide when there is a choice involved where I want to work?</div><div><br /></div><div>Pros: no need to wake up early, no traffic, less transportation and food expenses, everything can be documented through chats / emails, no need to socialize with other people π€ͺ</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Cons: a lot more distraction, never-ending work hours, less structure, awkward calls, and no face-to-face interaction π€ͺ</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4 YouTube</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Some people went through Netflix during the lockdown (I did too for some time but I went for rewatches of Sherlock and Community and Sense8), but I was mostly on YouTube, especially as my background sound while I work (okay, maybe the reason why I get distracted?!?). </div><div><br /></div><div>I DEVOURED content from RawBeautyKristi, MannyMUA, Robert Welsh, Bailey Sarian, Jackie Aina, Snitchery, Samantha Ravndahl, and lately Emily D. Baker. I also watched a lot of videos about iPads (lol because I was trying to decide on what iPad to buy), LOTR, Community, Hamilton, Umbrella Academy, Taika + Jojo Rabbit + Thor Ragnarok, MCU reviews, analyses, video essays, and of course, Karmageddon.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5 Subdivision community</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>So so so grateful to the Facebook group of our subdivision. I already found our laundry service and water refilling service through that group before lockdown, but I also found so many other product suppliers through the group -- from raw ingredients like eggs, vegetables, seafood, chicken fillet to sinigang, lechon kawali, Potato Corner, takoyaki, cookies and cake! And so lucky to have a keto supplier also in the group who would make a variety of dishes AND DESSERTS to help me during my non-cheat days (you know there be more cheat days hahaha). Also, I didn't need to cook most of the time for the daughter because I only had to order a few dishes from one of the suppliers and we were set for the week. We also had a haircut done by one of the neighborhood parlors through their home service a few weeks back!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The group was also a great resource for news and updates concerning the subdivision, city and the province, with anecdotal commentary lol.</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Commercial break: I'm actually writing after midnight so it's technically January 2021 already BUT imma timestamp it before midnight LOL</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6 Debit card loss</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>So what happened was a month into lockdown, I needed to get cash but the BDO ATM near our subdivision gate was again out of service. I still had enough cash but I was worried I might run low so I WALKED to the nearest mall (because there was no public transportation yet) to try my luck there. Lo and behold, the BDO ATM there was also out of service, so ok, Imma withdraw cash using the BPI ATM instead, f*** that service fee.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Then the BPI ATM machine malfunctioned and ATE MY DEBIT CARD π I went home just cursing BDO, BPI, and the mothereffing heat because it was already noon then and I had to walk home π</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, while walking I figured that I can transfer money to the daughter's BDO account and withdraw the money using her ATM card. But even though I had that option, the mothereffing machines are useless!</div><div><br /></div><div>There was a time that I only had 100 in cash and the machine was under repair! Good thing was there was public transportation already then and I was scheduled to go to the office to submit receipts, so I knew I'll be able to withdraw cash then.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhoo, I've been transferring money to the daughter's account and using her card to withdraw cash. Let's all ππ» that her card doesn't get eaten because I have no other bank account or card to use!</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7 Attempts at physical activities</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, there were attempts made lol. </div><div><br /></div><div>Early in the lockdown period, aside from walking to the subdivision gate for grocery or ATM errands, I would walk around a few streets in the morning or in the afternoon every few days, encouraged by the daily collection of energy for Wizards Unite (more on that further down the list). And then further into the lockown, I got so obsessed with Wizards Unite that I was walking EVERY morning (or even in the afternoon!) to collect energy and ingredients for events! However, because of game updates, it became harder to be excited for the game, and combined with the rain, no more walking for me π</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, attempts were made to do a Chloe Ting workout challenge. Sports bras and a yoga mat were brought to prepare, and also a plan was made to document the whole thing. After two days of the workout challenge, guess who gave up? π₯² (I better delete those videos of me "working out" from my phone to free up space lol)</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>8 House clean-up + decluttering</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Before the lockdown, we no longer had a helper, so the daughter and I were already used to cleaning up after ourselves. However, I would ask my mom's helper to clean the house thoroughly every month as well because the daughter and I are proudly, and unfortunately, two <i>tamad</i> girls. (Like I would sweep the floor daily, but the helper would be the one to do the mopping when I have her over)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>With the lockdown, we had to do the thorough cleaning ourselves π The house felt so big LOL but hear me out, I've lived most of my life with a helper (and so does the daughter) so this felt a bit daunting for us. But through the months we "upgraded" our supplies (like buying better mops or brushes) and skillz lol and we have "survived" (I know sounds silly for some but we can really be ratchet π¬). I do am thinking of getting professional services to do general cleaning early this 2021 for all the nooks and crannies we gave up on hahaha!</div><div><br /></div><div>And so as I gradually eased in with working from home, I finally came around to decluttering our second floor space, which basically became a stock room of what-have-you's, into my work area. I did plan out to have that space as like my home office pre-pandemic for my online presence journey (like blogging, maybe like a fiLmiNg SpAce wuuut) or for my personal ~creative projects, but *stuff* happened meaning it became that space where I would just dump stuff. It took me several weeks to be truly satisfied with the amount of stuff I kept and the amount of stuff I let go (or will eventually let go as I don't know how to dispose of them) but here I am now writing this post in my sort-of-organized and decluttered work area π</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>9 Ulysses</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Wow, this was personally a curve ball because I never thought it was going to be THAT BAD that the flood will enter the house. After Ondoy, over the years, our subdivision would get flooded during the heavy monsoon rains but the worse it got for our house was only up to our garage, and never inside the house. This was the first time I experienced a house flooding because the daughter and I weren't home during Ondoy (so we just went home to a topsy-turvy house with mud and broken stuff) so I didn't really experience the hauling of stuff upstairs etc etc.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So by noon, the water was still creeping outside our gate, but by 1pm it was inside our garage already and rising π The daughter and I hauled ass and brought up all the stuff and food we can carry upstairs and by 3pm the flood was INSIDE THE HOUSE already π© I think at its peak the flood was around a foot or so inside the house, but outside on the street it was almost 3 feet (based on some dude walking in the flood water distributing his frozen bangus to the neighbors to be eaten so they won't go to waste). As the night wore on, the water started slowly subsiding, and I slept thankful that we were okay, but dreading the clean-up the morning after.</div><div><br /></div><div>And then another ~plot twist happened the next day, which is actually part of a "development arc" described further down the list.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10 Home improvement</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Because of Ulysses, I was "forced"... okay... not really forced but I was given the push to replace our old items and return some to their owners so we could finally have stuff that were not a mish-mash of hand-me-downs. This furniture overhaul was already being planned pre-Ulysses so I was sorta ready and Ulysses just gave me that extra push to check out my orders lol.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So new sofa (old one from my parents, got flooded, so bye), new dining table and chairs (old set were from the ex in-laws, returned), and a new TV rack (old one is still outside in our garage, and I don't know what to do with it yet). Also bought a new shoe organizer / rack because some of the shoe cases got flooded (threw them away).</div><div><br /></div><div>And of course new throw pillows, an aesthetic throw, and new banig rugs to tie everything together. The kitchen is another story though as the cabinets are falling apart and they're a hideous apple green color, but I dunno if I want to invest in fixing them up if we are planning to move out (another story for another day).</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Commercial break again: Guess who's still writing this post at 11am New Year's Day lol</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b style="font-size: x-large;">11 E-commerce</b></div><div><div><br /></div><div>When lockdown started, most of our online purchases were through the subdivision community, but when restrictions eased in June, boy, we did a LOT OF BUYING. I thought I already did a lot of online shopping before the pandemic, but wow, this year, we would have a delivery every week from Lazada, Shopee, MetroMart, GrabMart, BeautyMNL, GrabFood, FoodPanda and the like. </div><div><br /></div><div>All our new furniture were bought online through Ofix.ph or The Cubbyhole in Facebook, while all new appliances (rice cooker and toaster) came from Lazada. Skincare and make-up came from BeautyMNL, Human Nature, or retailers from Lazada. iPads were bought from Elishanjerr from Facebook, while tech accessories were bought from Lazada and Shopee. Household items moslty came from Lazada and MetroMart. And all the odds and ends that the daughter sends links for from Lazada and Shopee π</div><div><br /></div><div>Some purchases I'm super happy about: Christopher Pike books from Shopee to add to my collection, Unsolicited Advice 2021 Planner by AdamJK, and the Sherlock manga series which I have to receive as the box is still in transit π</div><div><br /></div><div>Also I would just like to thank GrabFood and GrabMart for making it harder for me to stay low-carb because we can have all kinds of food delivered to the house π And making it possible for me to get receipts for liquidation when we have more buojee food delivered hahaha!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12 </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">Playing with make-up</b></div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>It goes without saying doing something ~creative is therapy for me and I poured all that need for creativity in doing my make-up this year. Also, I had a bunch of complexion products that I didn't want to got waste so why not do it for the 'gram? π</div><div><br /></div><div>Not going out = doing more "outlandish" lewks and thankfully I got the Sorbetes palette before lockdown so I had a colorful palette to work with during the first few weeks being stuck at home. Eventually I got the Conspiracy palette, and then the Jungle rock palette so I had more than enough to create and "hone" my colorful lewks.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>You can check most of them from my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/everydayshelley/?hl=en" target="_blank">everydayshelley IG account</a> π</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Commercial break once again: I hope I finish writing this before the whole world enters 2021 LOL</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>13 </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">Having my teeth fixed</b></div><div><div><br /></div><div>One of the things I planned to do in 2019 was to get my teeth fixed but not really a priority and I felt it was too expensive so it got pushed back and back. Now we here in 2020 with inflated pandemic rates lol BUT I committed on that first visit to the dentist and I'm starting 2021 with my almost done brand-new pre-molars!</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I wouldn't have been able to do this with the particular circumstances 2020 brought upon me -- the dentist was a neighbor and was a two minute walk from our house, who I found through our subdivision Facebook group. I also had a few coins "to spare" because I haven't had any big expenses this year, and I think this one was the biggest one yet for this year I believe?</div><div><br /></div><div>I know it's like why have my teeth fixed when my mouth is almost always covered with a mask when I'm going outside but I didn't want it to get worse to be honest. Also the daughter pushed me when she wanted to go to the dentist to have braces done and I told her to make an appointment with the dentist I found through the Facebook group, and she asked me how about my teeth π¬ Okay <i>anak</i>, I'll have my teeth fixed <i>na po </i>π
</div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-size: x-large;">14 </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">Financials</b></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>To be honest, I have a lot of credit card debt, have several on-going loans, and not really good with money (<i>bahala na si </i>Batman mentality, especially when it comes to travel and <i>luho</i>) that I don't have that much savings. So I never expected that I will have the capacity to buy new stuff for the house, have my teeth fixed, and still have some left over for 2021!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm one of the truly lucky ones this year because aside from the ATM fiasco, I never felt anxious about my financial situation during the pandemic. I kept my job, and the company I worked for did their best make it easier for us to get cash (albeit taxed) benefits like medical subsidies in our FlexBen, and liquidations for tax benefits (for middle management above) using work-from-home equipment and also medical equipment.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Daily essential expenses were significantly reduced as we were "forced" to stay home, as well as other extraneous expenses like Starbucks coffee, or buying extra food even though I already have a packed lunch with me. We also had to cancel our supposed-to-be trip during the Holy Week, so that was one big expense that never transpired. No desire to buy new shoes or clothes or bags because what the hell for? (All the shopping desire went to skincare, make-up, and house stuff as mentioned earlier hehe)</div><div><br /></div><div>The favorite boy also offered to pay off one of my biggest credit card bills, and just pay him off monthly without interest π so that was really a load off my financial burden. I still have credit card debt, but I'm also s l o w l y paying them off bit by bit.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>15 </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">Online meet-ups and celebrations</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier in the lockdown, most friend and family meet-ups occurred online, and a bit more frequent (can't say that now because there are some doing meet-ups and gatherings outside as if we are not still in a pandemic π) -- remember when your feeds were full of these Zoom screens?!? </div><div><br /></div><div>Work socialization was also done online, with our group scheduling a Friday game night almost every week (being anti-social me, I stopped responding to the invites after a few weeks sorry). The company I work for also celebrated its 25th anniversary online with loads of enterprise social media activities, online games, and an online program to end it with a bang (yes, I was part of the comms preps for this LOL)! </div></div><div><br /></div><div>I dunno what the point of this though hahaha but I gotta say, these online socializations may have helped us in surviving the year, but nothing beats face-to-face interaction (and that's anti-social me already saying that).</div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>16 </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">The ex-husband</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's just say the ex-husband went on a development arc during this year that I think is taking him one step forward, but sometimes two steps back so I don't know if he's really taking it to heart.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>He's been offering to get groceries for us, bring us food etc., or just pass by with the food already. He had a few nights of sort of reflection and apologized for basically how he treated me before, and how it reflected on the daughter etc etc, which prompted me to ask him if he was currently going counseling / therapy -- it was so out of his character! He also was the one who mainly cleaned up the house after Ulysses. </div><div><br /></div><div>But there's still this ego-feeding narcissistic person (look, this was the psychologist's analysis for our annulment) that comes out in the way he talks (about his work, the stuff he buys for people, the things he do for other people), and the way he behaves (he expects people to behave or comply only to his timeline for his own benefit).</div><div><br /></div><div>So I don't know. Maybe all the "good" things he's been doing is just to manipulate the situation to come off as the "good" guy. Maybe he's sincere yet still learning. What I'm sure of is that I'm wary, and as the daughter said, "I'll believe it when I see it" and this ain't it yet, sis π¬</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>17 </b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;">Friends</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Just a shoutout to all the friends who gave who will randomly message, call, reach out, send ayuda, give receipts lol, answer my adulting (read: cleaning) questions, send help, give recommendations, etc etc -- thank you for making 2020 bearable π</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>18 The fam</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, a shoutout for the fambam especially to my parents for paying my credit card bill online for me because I can't go to the branch to pay it myself lol but also for all the food sent to us, for the receipts lol, the messages, the advice, and of course that holiday trip which started the year (2020 was like that Moroccan ferry ride experience TBH lol). Hoping we can all travel again together sooooon π</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>19 The favorite boy</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Can you say LDR?!? Since there was no public transportation available during the early months of the lockdown, and having no cars ourselves, we weren't able to see each other for a little over 100 days π He finally came over in June so we can celebrate our 7th anniversary in our garage (open air) as we ordered food and sprayed ourselves crazy with alcohol lol π We eventually made it a monthly thing and sometimes he would come over, or we'd schedule our receipt submissions on the same day, so we can spend time together.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And even though it has been a crazy year, trying to adjust to the "new normal" (online shopping for him), being anxious for all sorts of things (my credit card bill, for one), our relationship survived! We did have a few times wherein we reached a sort of limit and just butted heads but we got over our egos and talked about it, promised to do better, and the best part is I can see that we do try to be better. I love you, Maki, and I hope 2021 will be kinder and better for us π</div><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>20 The Star</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>2020 may have brought difficulties to me, but I know it has been extremely difficult for the daughter, as her life was much more severely impacted than my mine was π© </div><div><br /></div><div>Her junior year just fizzled into whatever the school decided on as their final grade for the year. She started her senior year in lockdown, and going through senior things online and away from her social groups and curricular activities while she's stuck with me π</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm thankful she's already in college and I really don't have to homeschool her (see there was a silver lining for getting knocked up when I was in college :P), but I feel like I can't offer her the comfort she needs from her friends. I do indulge her shopping for tech accessories, hair color, skincare, etc, and also for her food cravings, but I think that's all I can do for her π©</div><div><br /></div><div>Even though I think she's less independent now (because I have to do all the purchasing as she doesn't have e-commerce accounts yet AND she deleted the Grab app as she won't be taking rides <i>naman daw </i>but how about GrabFood right?), she has been my partner all throughout 2020 in taking care of the house. Okay, I'm giving her too much credit because she takes care only of her room and bathroom but she does wash dishes without being told to do so LOL. Okay I'll give her credit for helping me bring up our stuff when Ulysses happened hehe. But credit to both of us really for not pulling each others' hair out after all this time under lockdown π
</div><div><br /></div><div>And so <i>anak</i>, I hope you will have the strength and resilience to power through 2021, and if you get tiredt, Mama is always here for you. I know you hate going out now (my, my how times have changed) but maybe we can go for a coffee run once a month? I love you, <i>anak</i> π</div><div><br /></div><div><i style="background-color: #f4cccc;">Last commercial break: so it's 2021 already all over the world.</i></div><div><br /></div></div><div>---</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, that took me longer than expected -- I started in 2020 and I finished this post the next year<i> *badumtss* </i></div><div><br /></div><div>I know we will look back at 2020 as like one of the WORST years ever, but I hope that all of us who made it in 2021 can look back and at least say, "I survived that shitshow of a year".</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll say that, but I know I can also say that I was (oh my god this is so clichΓ©) #blessed because there were more than a few gems in my 2020 π</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh and btw, this might be my last post for the blog. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bye!</div>missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-91885574339054980992018-06-12T09:20:00.000+08:002018-06-12T09:20:25.950+08:00#100booksofshelley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kky2DIwLcLM/WxytxAHlWlI/AAAAAAAAC-E/5ThhPnRT3Xkcj9Qx68HP-q2iHRZtah5lACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_9944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kky2DIwLcLM/WxytxAHlWlI/AAAAAAAAC-E/5ThhPnRT3Xkcj9Qx68HP-q2iHRZtah5lACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_9944.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh hey, I finished a passion project!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>One of my plans early this year was to do two more rounds of <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2016/11/100daysofshelley.html" target="_blank">#100daysofshelley project </a>using my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/everydayshelley/" target="_blank">@everydayshelley</a> Instagram account. Originally, the #100daysofshelley project was just a way for me to do a countdown to my birthday, by posting everyday for 100 days until my birthday, with the help of <a href="https://fatmumslim.com.au/category/photo-a-day-2/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim's photo-a-day prompts</a>. I've already done two rounds of the countdown btw. But then, as the second countdown was winding down at the end of this year, I thought hmmm... why not push myself to do two more sets FOR THE YEAR???<br />
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And so push I did. I had the BRILLIANT idea to use books for this second round of the #100daysofshelley project -- meaning, I will still be using Fat Mum Slim's prompts for the day, but I had to post a photo of a book connected to the prompt. Easy peasy? Not really LOL.<br />
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Well, yeah there were a few prompts that really connected to the title of the book:
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<b>DAY 13: Loud</b><br />
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<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf7CtAAgoT0/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-05T01:08:16+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 4, 2018 at 5:08pm PST</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 21: Clouds</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgTgYwsFm49/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgTgYwsFm49/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-14T13:09:26+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 14, 2018 at 6:09am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 27: Season</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgfAAGaFkrE/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 49.907407407407405% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgfAAGaFkrE/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-19T00:17:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 18, 2018 at 5:17pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Or the book cover:<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 36: Path</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg2WVjTgDHc/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg2WVjTgDHc/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-28T01:55:02+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 27, 2018 at 6:55pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 38: Apple</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg7dSu5nzND/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg7dSu5nzND/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-30T01:32:01+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 29, 2018 at 6:32pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 73: What I see</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bik6mAIl2Pp/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bik6mAIl2Pp/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-05-10T00:28:18+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 9, 2018 at 5:28pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Or the color of the book:<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 23: Blue and white</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgUwlMyFXP2/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgUwlMyFXP2/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-15T00:50:11+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 14, 2018 at 5:50pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 25: Green</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgaHk3SFCYq/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgaHk3SFCYq/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-17T02:47:19+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 16, 2018 at 7:47pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 75: Yellow</b><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BimKwIZl84S/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BimKwIZl84S/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-05-10T12:08:44+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 10, 2018 at 5:08am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
There was also a month during the challenge where the prompts were just letters of the alphabet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Planning for my <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/100booksofshelley?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#100booksofshelley</a> project just got a wee bit harder π
<a href="https://t.co/P5CjnM5Adp">pic.twitter.com/P5CjnM5Adp</a></div>
β missyosigirl (@missyosigirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/missyosigirl/status/977519683552215040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<br />
It was easier than I expected except for those books starting with:
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 54: K is for... </b>(I think I went to three bookstores before I found this in a used bookstore so yey not so expensive!)<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhk-NMfF8Z2/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhk-NMfF8Z2/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-04-15T04:28:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 14, 2018 at 9:28pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 67: X is for...</b> (No X-Files book so I went the "banned" route)<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHBqFfFD7k/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHBqFfFD7k/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-04-28T09:52:49+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 28, 2018 at 2:52am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 69: Z is for...</b> (It should be for zombies, which I thought this book would be about but no LOL)<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiL7k4Qlv3J/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiL7k4Qlv3J/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-04-30T07:35:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 30, 2018 at 12:35am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<br />
There were some posts wherein I really had to streeeeeeeeetch the connection between the prompt and the book, like:<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 81: Shape</b> (Caption was -- <i>Don't be a square</i>. I cringe LOL)<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiralG3FYpB/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiralG3FYpB/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-05-12T13:03:15+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 12, 2018 at 6:03am PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>DAY 85: Speed</b> (Because instant = speed ionno LOL)<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi0PSWbF_Kn/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 450px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
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<b>DAY 5: My face</b> (And I chose a book with a skeleton on the cover okay)<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfnwQLCgW2M/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by everyday with shelley π (@everydayshelley)</a> on <time datetime="2018-02-25T13:21:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 25, 2018 at 5:21am PST</time></div>
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But there were days when I had the perfect book for the prompt:<br />
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<b>DAY 79: Throwback</b> (Since <i>11/22/63</i> is a book about time travel)<br />
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<b>DAY 29:</b> <b>Oh no</b> (appropriate reaction to the apocalypse in <i>Good Omens</i>)<br />
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<b>DAY 39: Oh my</b> (appropriate reaction to the secret lives of great artists)<br />
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So what have I learned after going through this project?<br />
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<b>Planning is key. </b>Towards the end of each month, I would check the prompts for next month, and go through my books (and my daughter's books haha) for those that would fit the prompts. I wrote them down and would refer to the list throughout the month. Google also helped me out in planning as I searched for books related to the prompts.<br />
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I also took (and edited) photos for 3 posts at a time to maintain the ~lewk and ~aesthetic of my grid / feed. It was hard to maintain but again, it was all about the planning. And checking the closet for what I can use as my background π<br />
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<b>Let it go and power through.</b> There were times I felt like I wouldn't be able to find a book to match the prompt. There were times I felt I was stretching the connection between the prompt and the book. There were times I didn't know what layout to use, or I would feel I was doing the same layout again. There were times I would miss posting for the day, and there were times I missed by 9 days!<br />
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I got discouraged during these times but I let go of my apprehensions and I. JUST. POWERED. THROUGH. I didn't want to abandon the project, and I know I'd feel so accomplished once the 100 days were over. Which was true -- I did feel so accomplished and proud of myself for finishing this project!<br />
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Lastly, <b>I need to read more of my books!</b> I came across titles I haven't read -- and there were A LOT. I also came across books I've started reading -- however for whatever reasons, I didn't get around to finishing. And I came across those books I've already and felt like old friends I haven't seen in a long time -- due for remembering good times and catching up.<br />
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And that's it! This passion project was really one for the ... wait for it .. books! (Had to do it, sorry hahaha!) I'll be resurfacing on my @everydayshelley account on the 23rd of June, and I have no idea what do to yet for the 3rd round of my 100 days project π Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for me, or if you're planning to do the same project! π<br />
<br />missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-18627591040313131442018-02-03T23:37:00.003+08:002018-02-10T22:24:18.791+08:00Fresh page, part 3: ART<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nF_zp0eqqE/WnMYawUg0rI/AAAAAAAACyA/DL-rq5aVGD8LU16U7_i-btyuG0h6NZGbACLcBGAs/s1600/26866668_295691624290089_362937973601206272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nF_zp0eqqE/WnMYawUg0rI/AAAAAAAACyA/DL-rq5aVGD8LU16U7_i-btyuG0h6NZGbACLcBGAs/s400/26866668_295691624290089_362937973601206272_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/themastershift/photos/a.414822905327667.1073741848.123685654441395/629346400541982/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">From the Master Shift Facebook page</a> </div>
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Can you believe I've made three posts already for this year? π<br />
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For this year, one of my goals would be to bring back creativity in my life through personal passion projects. Creativity should not only be part of my job (which I'm thankful that it is), but also part of my every day life.<br />
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And this is how I plan to do start bringing back the art in my life:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Launch two additional sets of #100daysofshelley </span></b><br />
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Okay, so I started <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1006817469"></span>#100daysofshelley<span id="goog_1006817470"></span></a> using a new Instagram account <a href="http://www.instagram.com/everydayshelley" target="_blank">@everydayshelley</a> in October of 2016 to count down to my birthday in 2017.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mk35IiRz7-U/WnXKwSw_WbI/AAAAAAAACyc/ZbS8rUjXcy0iGyIF0415ObavSAIbG_GaQCEwYBhgL/s1600/everydayshelley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="642" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mk35IiRz7-U/WnXKwSw_WbI/AAAAAAAACyc/ZbS8rUjXcy0iGyIF0415ObavSAIbG_GaQCEwYBhgL/s400/everydayshelley.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did it again last year to countdown to my birthday this year, but I became less strict with myself. I used old photos for the prompts (because sometimes you can't make a compelling photo for the prompt "water" when you only have a glass of water near you right?!?), and would be late in posting (because sometimes life really gets in the way). I also used tons of hashtags to increase engagement (and basically seek more attention :P), and well, the "likes" I got brightened up my day.<br />
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So I'm planning to do the birthday countdown challenge again this year, but I thought, hmmm there are 365 days in a year, so I can basically do 2 more sets of #100daysofshelley challenges. Obviously, those "likes" in my most recent #100daysofshelley really encouraged me.<br />
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But what would be the themes? What would be the challenges? So I'm stuck with that right now, but I still have time. The second set is due to start on February 21.<br />
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Do you have any ideas for me? π<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">52 book challenge</span></b><br />
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Confession: I am a hoarder of unread books.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Uj9-MJ_H-E/WnXKvHkQFyI/AAAAAAAACyY/5djn6kV4OrYDZRW6NcZ2Oo09FmGtOzAeQCLcBGAs/s1600/26182960_537536386619425_975771524034199552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Uj9-MJ_H-E/WnXKvHkQFyI/AAAAAAAACyY/5djn6kV4OrYDZRW6NcZ2Oo09FmGtOzAeQCLcBGAs/s400/26182960_537536386619425_975771524034199552_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So this year, I am challenging myself to read those unread books. I am spending too much time watching my TV episodes! I mean there's nothing wrong with that, but if there are unread books on my shelf, maybe I should set aside time for that too.<br />
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Another confession: I've only read one new book when I should've read 5 by now! That one book was Dan Brown's Origins, and right now, I'm in the middle of <a href="https://austinkleon.com/steal/" target="_blank">Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist</a>. I thought it would be an easy read, but the book has SO MANY IDEAS, I need time to digest and reflect on them.<br />
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By the way, reviews / reactions will be posted on my Twitter so you can track my progress there π<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1 page at a time for my 38th year</span></b><br />
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Since we're on the topic of (unread) books, I have to say that I also hoard a lot of journal type books, like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wreck-This-Journal-Keri-Smith/dp/039953346X" target="_blank">Wreck this Journal</a> and the <a href="http://tgoodman.com/work/sharpie_book" target="_blank">Sharpie Book</a>, both of which I haven't used. Guess who had the bright idea of getting <a href="http://www.adamjkurtz.com/1pageatatime/" target="_blank">1 page at a time</a> to add to her collection?<br />
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Okay, but the bright idea involves completing the book as part of my 38th year, meaning I started the book the day after my birthday. I figured 10-15 minutes a day to fill up a page would be an easy way to not only inject art in my everyday life, but also to take a breather and relax, and think of myself just for that moment.<br />
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And what a great keepsake when I finish it on my birthday next year! (Yes, OWNING IT!)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Update the blog at least once a month</span></b><br />
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Oh hey, being that this is the third post for the year, I guess I'm good until March, eh?<br />
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Would you believe that one of my far-out dreams is to become a published writer, through this blog? I would wish that somebody would discover my blog and be so invested in my life stories that they would be willing to publish it in book form, much like other bloggers who had their blogs published as books.<br />
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Now how can that happen when my blog is as empty as my bank account? π<br />
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But seriously though, I have missed writing my stories. So here I am sharing my stories again with you.<br />
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For the past two posts and with this post I'm writing, I realized a few things which I hope will make it easier for me to update my blog. First, I need to set a time and place to write. I may not have time to finish the post in one go, but at least I can start the post, and then add to it every time I've set aside time to write. Second, I realized I needed to do pre-work. I need to make an outline, and establish or decide on the images I will be using for the post even before I open Blogger. Lastly, I find it very hard to concentrate while having a new TV episode playing in the background. Therefore, no TV while blogging. (I'm doing this post right now on our porch)<br />
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So with that, I hope I can sustain the mojo, and you'll learn more about me and my life this new year.<br />
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(And to dream a little bigger -- I hope that you will be reading this post in my published book AHAHAHA!)<br />
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If you want to know more about any aspect of my life, just let me know π<br />
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---<br />
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This ends my 3-part post on my new year. It took me longer (with regards to time and number of words) than expected, and it put me back to my blogging ~groove. I hope you all had a good month starting your goals this year. And if you haven't, I hope the top image in this post inspires you to start π<br />
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Just to bring it all together: Armed with my pretty lips, the universe's energy, and my creative endeavors, my 2018 is a fresh page I'm going to fill with ART π¨, ARTE π and HEART π<br />
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Happy new year!missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-57410265901358306002018-02-01T07:27:00.000+08:002018-02-10T22:02:42.282+08:00Fresh page, part 2: HEART<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9g7E2aXutgg/WnEQmzL3lwI/AAAAAAAACwI/YlRMZ7pwSsMPA2uegTCf9QC6LjWpOQz7gCLcBGAs/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9g7E2aXutgg/WnEQmzL3lwI/AAAAAAAACwI/YlRMZ7pwSsMPA2uegTCf9QC6LjWpOQz7gCLcBGAs/s400/flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Continued from the <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2018/01/fresh-page-part-1-arte.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>!<br />
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<i>Just to manage expectations based on the title -- this is not about my love life, okay!</i><br />
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Earlier this month, I joined Purposeful Creatives' #Braver2018Challenge to help me set braver goals for 2018. <i>(You can find more information about the workshop / challenge in a <a href="http://thepurposefulcreative.com/newyear/" target="_blank">blog post</a> by Arriane Serafico (founder of Purposeful Creative) on how to set goals for the new year.) </i>Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the challenge but, I did do the pre-work and some of the missions. Now at least I have in mind what I want to do / be for this year.<br />
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<i>(I might be able to tell you more about some of those goals in succeeding blog posts)</i><br />
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And I called upon some charmed friends to help me harness positive energies from the universe to help me with these goals π<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVzXtPsHFEb/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Money and Success Magnet Bracelet from thecharmprojectph</span></a></b><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr2AUxgnRnc/WnHHXG_GdZI/AAAAAAAACxI/KB969IFGsdU7XYouay8agytZ6T-kz622ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr2AUxgnRnc/WnHHXG_GdZI/AAAAAAAACxI/KB969IFGsdU7XYouay8agytZ6T-kz622ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This bracelet focuses on intentions for financial stability, promotions, success in business and work balance. What more can a working girl ask for?!? </div>
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This was my first charm bracelet, which I put in as part of my wishlist for a Kris Kringle with friends, and generously given by my Kris Kringle mumshie. She was also once obsessed with charms and gemstones, and because of this, she's back to being obsessed haha! She actually bought some other bracelet for herself when she bought mine hehehe. I actually put in two options for a charm bracelet, but she chose to give this one to me because her intentions are for me to *really* focus on that area of my life π</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.themalatree.com/yellow-honey-calcite-bracelet/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Yellow / Honey Calcite (The Wish Granting Stone) Bracelet from The Mala Tree</span></a></b></div>
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Yellow calcite doubles the intentions (that's why it's called the Wish Granting Stone) of the wearer, and doubles existing power, strength, health, prosperity and good fortune. The stone also brings clarity of thought, mental power and focus in completing passion projects.</div>
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This one was given by a high school friend last December, and the gemstone is just perfect for this year! I do have a few goals in mind in different areas of my life (mostly related to money and my passion projects), and I'm hoping this bracelet will help me harness twice the energies I need from the universe! π</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.themalatree.com/aventurine-bracelet/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Aventurine (Stone of Opportunity) Bracelet from The Mala Tree</span></a></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GUwxsg5zgo/WnHHYlHnszI/AAAAAAAACxM/ZjI-WgAgRv4m-Ycv4vZgJFhw3lvoAj53QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GUwxsg5zgo/WnHHYlHnszI/AAAAAAAACxM/ZjI-WgAgRv4m-Ycv4vZgJFhw3lvoAj53QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_8506.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The gemstone is considered to be one of the luckiest crystals, with its winning energy bringing prosperity and wealth, and boosting one's chances in any situation.<br />
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So my Kris Kringle mumshie (KKM) and I went to The Mala Tree to have my yellow calcite bracelet re-stringed (it was a bit too small, bless my high school friend haha), my money and success bracelet recharged, and for us to <strike>get</strike> check out more bracelets π<br />
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I ended up buying a yellow calcite bracelet for KKM, and she bought me this aventurine bracelet. KKM also bought another bracelet for herself, while I got a bracelet for a friend. All in all, The Mala Tree did good that night hahaha!<br />
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Okay, I know that you're thinking this is just New Age shiz, and I'm a foolish consumer for even buying into these bracelets.<br />
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First of all, there's no harm in trying them out. If they're mumbo-jumbo, at least they look good as accessories, right?<br />
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Second, I'm not *just* depending on these charms and gems to get me through the rest of the year. I do know that I need to take ACTION to reach my goals.<br />
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Lastly, putting your intentions out in the universe through the bracelets ain't a bad thing. Everything begins with a thought, right? I'm claiming my intentions in thought, and with my bracelets, I am REMINDED of these intentions, helping me MOVE MY ASS to claim these intentions in real life.<br />
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So if you need a little boost from the universe, check out <a href="http://instagram.com/thecharmprojectph" target="_blank">thecharmprojectph in Instagram</a> or <a href="http://www.themalatree.com/" target="_blank">The Mala Tree through their website</a>, or visit The Mala Tree at their physical store located in Maginhawa, QC π<br />
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If you're obsessed with charms, crystals and gemstones too, let me know what you use! Also, please share your readings and sources -- I'd love to know more about them!missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-64991451395383447052018-01-31T07:51:00.000+08:002018-02-10T20:47:51.499+08:00Fresh page, part 1: ARTE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeUctx8Gkhg/WnCD_6-wQoI/AAAAAAAACvM/EvBYXv4Hd_YplbNk7w3EhgJ80fiKoqQWgCLcBGAs/s1600/26356964_544036525956237_2320494714618380288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IeUctx8Gkhg/WnCD_6-wQoI/AAAAAAAACvM/EvBYXv4Hd_YplbNk7w3EhgJ80fiKoqQWgCLcBGAs/s400/26356964_544036525956237_2320494714618380288_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
And I'm back! I can't believe I let a whole year go by without updating my blog :( Okay, let's all move on from that and catch up, ayt?<br />
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So, how's your new year coming along? Are you setting the pace for the year already, or just testing the waters out?<br />
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I've always treated January as a time to ~reflect on the past year, and ~contemplate what I want to accomplish for the new year, not only because it's the first month of the year, but it's also my birthday month! Growing a year older can really make you think long and hard about the future :P<br />
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Okay, but before we go ~deep, I just want to share some new things I've been trying out, and then some small passion projects I'm hoping to do this year, and then some of my plans for next month.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
Let's start with some of the new lip products I've tried the past holidays, and now are staples in my everyday ~lewk.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Vice Cosmetics Good Vibes Matte Lipstick</span></b></div>
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I was supposed to give Colourpop Super Shock Shadows to my high school friends, but the delivery got delayed (and eventually got lost boohoo but Colourpop gave me a refund so yey)! Instead, I bought them the matte lipstick from Vice Ganda cosmetics, because aside from the good reviews, and the good price point, and having pink packaging, you cannot deny the pop culture phenom that is Vice Ganda, right?!?</div>
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(<a href="https://www.vicecosmetics.com.ph/collections/good-vibes-matte-lipstick-1" target="_blank">from the Vice Cosmetics Matte Lipstick page</a>)</div>
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I mean, it all showed in the names of the shades of the lipstick -- I got Bonggacious (of course I got myself one too :P) and Chukchak (of course I got one more haha), while some of the shades I got my friends were named Good Vibes, Hayabayabayu, Pak Ganern, etc.</div>
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And the reviews are to be believed -- creamy, pigmented and demi-matte. And they smell oh so good! For PHP195, they are a steal! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Colourpop Ultra Blotted Lip</span></b></div>
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To be honest, I never considered buying anything from the Ultra Blotted line of Colourpop as I'm not really into tints or stains (dry lips problems huhubells). </div>
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But I got one in the shade of Cherry on Top from a high school friend during the holidays, and when I tried it OHMEGEZ, I became a convert!</div>
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(<a href="http://www.imgrum.org/tag/colourpopslideph" target="_blank">image from @colourpopfun</a>)</div>
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When I used it, my lips looked like I had a bit (or a lot lol) of red wine, or I just had a ton of cherry popsicles. Coverage was good, and it was pigmented enough that the dryness in my lips was not *that* noticeable. And putting it on is effortless, and doesn't have to be perfect. You can use your finger to smudge it for an ombre / gradient effect and it looks soooo natural.</div>
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The best thing about it was IT WAS TRANSFER-PROOF! Unlike the other lip product lines of Colourpop, this was really and truly transfer-proof! No lip marks on my mug, my straw, my food, on my boyfriend, CHAR hahaha! But seriously, A+++ for the Ultra Blotted Lip of Colourpop!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fenty Beauty Hyper-Glitz Lipstick</span></b></div>
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When Rihanna came out with her cosmetics line, I immediately gravitated to the less expensive items hahaha such as the <a href="https://www.fentybeauty.com/gloss-bomb/universal-lip-luminizer/22513.html" target="_blank">Gloss Bomb</a>. A friend brought back one for me from the US, and <i>I. was. hooked</i>. It had a bit of glitter, and super glossy, and hydrating if I do say so myself. I usually wore it on its own when I would just go out for groceries, or on top of a matte lip product to prevent #drylipproblems.</div>
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And then the holiday line came out! Again, I gravitated towards the cheaper items, which were the lip products -- and yes, there were more! There were gloss AND lipstick products and they were all glittery and colorful and just perfect for the holidays.</div>
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Problem was, I really wanted the gloss ones because of my good experience with the Gloss Bomb, but they got sold out in Sephora.ph pretty fast :( And then a friend tried to buy it for me in Australia and the gloss was sold out too, so I "settled" for the lipstick instead.</div>
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(<a href="https://www.fentybeauty.com/starlit/hyper-glitz-lipstick/FB40004.html" target="_blank">From the Fenty Beauty Starlit Hyper-Glitz Lipstick page</a>)</div>
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Okay, who am I kidding, I really didn't "settle" because I just really wanted ANYTHING from the Fenty holiday lip products hahaha! I got the Hyper-Glitz lipstick in the shade of Gravity, and iz so pink and glittery and I just love it! The shade and the glitter makes me feel girly and young (at my age LOL) and I just wanna Boomerang my lips as they shimmer and shine (I will try that one of these days hehe)<br />
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<i>(Wow, I didn't expect 1/3 of my planned post for this month to be this long! So I'm breaking it up into three parts -- yey more content LOL!)</i></div>
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So I leave you with this -- do you have any new products you've come to love already this new year?</div>
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missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-53158021844389345642016-11-06T15:59:00.000+08:002016-11-06T15:59:06.849+08:00#100DaysOfShelley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am taking one photo per day for 100 days!<br />
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Okay, so what brought on this madness?</div>
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<a name='more'></a>Waaaaay back in 2012, I did <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/how-to-play-photo-day/" target="_blank">Fat Mum Slim's Photo-a-Day Challenge</a> for <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2012/08/july-photos.html" target="_blank">July</a> and <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2012/09/dancing-in-september.html" target="_blank">September</a>. It was really ~challenging (eh hello, photo-a-day <i>challenge</i> nga diba?!) because sometimes work and life takes over and it's already 11:40PM and you're still trying to come up with an idea for a photo for the word-for-the-day "heaven" (true story, bro).<br />
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So why would I want to get stressed out for 100 days? For words that may not mean anything to me on particular days? For photos that will not really win any fame or fortune?<br />
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Well, <b>1) I really wanted to do another set of Fat Mum Slim's Photo-a-Day Challenge</b>. But then it was already in the middle of October. How do I deal with waiting for November to start?<br />
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And, <b>2) I was also thinking of doing some variation of the <a href="http://100happydays.com/" target="_blank">100 Days of Happiness Project</a></b>. It's something I've seen being done by online friends, and I wanted in on the action LOLJK. I mean, what's wrong about looking for something sincerely good and positive every day for 100 days?<br />
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Mebbe you're asking now, "But why? Why do you want to do the challenge and / or project in the first place?"<br />
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<i>Eh wala, gusto ko lang?!?</i><br />
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LOLJK.<br />
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I guess the answer will be, <b>I just wanted to <i>*something*</i> </b>-- something for myself that didn't involve pigging out, taking dozens of selfies, spending money on clothes and make-up or spending hours watching my shows. (I'm not going to apologize though for eating what I want, taking pictures of myself when I'm feeling pretty or dressed up, or catching up on my shows.)<br />
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<b>I wanted to do something different, yet something still true to myself.</b> I could've started running or rowing but that's not who I am (right now). I could've started to learn calligraphy or leather crafts but I know I do not have the required time (or budget). I could've started reading all the books I've bought and haven't read (and do the one-book-a-week challenge maybe???) but I can always find time for that.<br />
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So I came up with <b>#100DaysOfShelley</b> (patent pending lelz) which is sort of a combination of the Photo-a-day Challenge and the 100 Days of Happiness Project. It's really simple -- I take one photo a day based on FatMumSlim's word-for-the-day (using the challenge's hashtags), and I will do it for 100 days (using the project's hashtags)!<br />
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<i>BUT WAIT, there's more!</i><br />
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To make this challenge / project extra special, and extra ~Shelley~, I started it on a date so that <b>the 100th day falls on my birthday</b>! Hopefully my counting skills are accurate and I started on the correct date HAHAHA.<br />
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I created <a href="http://instagram.com/100daysofshelley" target="_blank">100daysofshelley</a>, a public Instagram account, for this project. What is the point of using all those hashtags if it won't be seen publicly <i>diba</i>? The photos you see here in my blog's sidebar come from that account :)<br />
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Follow my project account please so I can be shamed into finishing this project LOL. And then send hearts / likes when I post a photo to encourage me =}</div>
missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-86723552587597642802015-10-31T22:00:00.002+08:002015-10-31T22:00:35.475+08:00The month the candidates filed their COCsThis month, the certificates of candidacies were filed. There were hundreds of them, descending upon the Comelec office. We watched and stared and tweeted as they posed for the cameras, smiling, announcing their alliances. We were dismayed and confused, none of us knowing if our country still has a future.<br />
<br />
But I didn't notice any of this because<br />
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This month, the month the COCs were filed, by some coincidence, was the last month to register as a voter. People rushed to Comelec offices or satellite registration sites, some patient and prepared, others lining up in the wrong queue. And the deadline loomed, and the people scrambled to register.<br />
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But I didn't notice any of this because<br />
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On COCs filing month, which was voter registration month, it was Halloween also. And the world prepared their costumes and tricks and treats, with hallways decorated like haunted houses or office areas looking like animated films. All so cute and scary and out-of-this world, more than social media could hold, with Halloween costume parties going all-out.<br />
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But I didn't notice any of this because<br />
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On the COC-filing-voter-registration-deadline-Halloween month, the musical floodgates broke with new songs and videos released by Adele, Justine Bieber, Drake, Gwen Stefani and Ariana Grande. We were engulfed in tears by <i>Hello</i> and <i>Used to Love You</i>, danced to <i>Hotline Bling</i> and <i>Sorry</i>, and was generally confused by the man singing the chorus in <i>Focus</i>.<br />
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But I didn't notice any of this because<br />
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That month, the COC-filing month, the last month of registration, the Halloween and new music month, was also the month that: Duterte didn't file his certificate of candidacy even though people campaigned outside the Comelec office for him to do so; Khloe and Lamar didn't push through with their divorce for medical decisions when Lamar was hospitalized; Lando raged through the country leaving destruction and floods in the northern regions; a new trailer and premiere dates came out for the new Sherlock special, entitled "The Abonimable Bride"; Miriam announced Bongbong as her running mate; the hashtag <i>#AldubEBTamangPanahon</i> set a new record worldwide with 41 million tweets; the Zola saga captured Twitter imaginations.<br />
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But<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXfTMzZjRDc/VjTF_4oSdRI/AAAAAAAACeQ/zvEuE6TqqEQ/s1600/6b9f5459d9d939df50d99ef18c7b838e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXfTMzZjRDc/VjTF_4oSdRI/AAAAAAAACeQ/zvEuE6TqqEQ/s1600/6b9f5459d9d939df50d99ef18c7b838e.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.threadless.com/product/3901/the_day_the_saucers_came_4_pack" target="_blank">From the Threadless The Day The Saucers Came shirts</a></td></tr>
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I didnβt notice any of this because<br />
I was sitting in my room, not doing anything<br />
not even reading, not really, just<br />
looking at my cellphone,<br />
wondering if I <strike>was going to</strike> should call.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Inspired by Neil Gaiman's <a href="https://gravitando.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/the-day-the-saucers-came-by-neil-gaiman/" target="_blank">The Day the Saucers Came</a>. </span></i>missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-66059125325774954932015-09-27T21:14:00.000+08:002015-10-04T11:15:23.558+08:00Viva Amor!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLW5OjD_0Nc/Vga2iiD2MtI/AAAAAAAACdQ/2ONLSwWr64Y/s1600/amor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLW5OjD_0Nc/Vga2iiD2MtI/AAAAAAAACdQ/2ONLSwWr64Y/s640/amor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Char Venturina</td></tr>
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Now that I've caught up with sleep, and I've uploaded my 2016 budget in GEP, I would like to say a few words of <i>amor </i>to all those who helped out and contributed to last Thursday's event :D<br />
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<a name='more'></a><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just to give y'all a background, when I first headed an anniversary party committee back in 2010, I told myself (and everyone else) that I will only go back to heading a party committee after 5 years. Little did I know then that the year after that, I would change my career path, and I would eventually be responsible for anniversary activities for the next 5 years. Heh.</span></i><br />
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<b>To our frontliners:</b><br />
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Thank you Patty and JC for being our hosts. <i>Ang ganda ng </i>combination niyo -- truly Ms. Universe hosting level <i>ang</i> peg! I hope to see you two host our future parties.<br />
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Thank you Boleng for being our audience host. You provided the show with the right amount of unscripted humor and laughs.<br />
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Thank you Tiff, Kevin, Carissa, Francis, Albert and Syd for agreeing to be our silent movie actors. You really made us all <i>kilig</i> with your short movies.<br />
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Thank you to the Newbloods for continuing the tradition of the newbie presentation. I hope you had fun, made new friends, and learned some cool new dance moves. Please do encourage the next generation of newbies to continue the tradition.<br />
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Thank you to our Newblood Dance competition judges. Your comments were spot-on, and I believe you chose the deserving winner.<br />
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Thank you to the Bright Young Things for submitting your photos, and a special shout-out to Danix for helping out with the compilation. I hope you liked our simple video tribute to your batch.<br />
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Thank you to the Swing Kids for confirming their attendance and following the committee's instructions regarding the stage lineup. It was a long time coming (10 years?!?) but it's now your turn to go up the stage and be recognized.<br />
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Thank you to the Bohemians for taking time out of their busy schedule for the video shoots. I believe everyone loved your testimonials, and have inspired all of us to reach the same milestone as you all did.<br />
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Thank you to Edge and Press Play for your performances. Your song choices were on point and contributed to the <i>kilig</i> factor of Amor. <i>Kahit andaming nagbago</i> from the original plan, you still went out there and performed your hearts out.<br />
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Thank you to the Dreamgirls for your love-ly song number. You really are pros and masters at impromptu singing! I hope to see you three perform again soon.<br />
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Thank you to the Kaka Band for closing out the show. I think you were the perfect choice to close out the show as all of you has been with the company during its early years (except for your pianist -- sidenote: I hope he wasn't too "bullied" during your practice sessions :P). You truly represent Amor for the company.<br />
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<b>To those who worked behind the scenes:</b><br />
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Thank you IT, Admin, Finance and Procurement for your usual support. I hope <i>hindi kayo nakulitan sakin, kahit na lahat ng </i>requests<i> eh </i>rush and urgent :D<br />
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Thank you Rizj for coordinating the Dreamgirls and Kaka Band. I apologize for the confusing initial plans and song choices! Dream <i>ko pa rin na mangyari ang</i> lights-out-spotlight-<i>birit ng</i> "Let's Marvin Gaye and get it on"-BAAAAAM <i>na</i> opening number.<br />
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Thank you Steven for the Postmodern Jukebox videos. They really added the 1920s vibe to the party. Thank you as well for downloading the karaoke versions of the Dreamgirls songs. If not for those, we won't have the Dreamgirls!<br />
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Thank you Boleng for coordinating with our talented hosts and performers, and Justinne and Ami for coordinating with the newbies. I hope you didn't give them too much of a hard time :P<br />
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Thank you Jovy and Denise for all our HR needs regarding the awardees! We couldn't have acknowledged the awardees if not for your help :) Thank you as well for manning the registration area!</div>
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Thank you Trish for helping out with the videos of the Bohemians -- from making them <i>kulit</i>, to shooting the video, and eventually editing them. Now we know we have another videographer who can help out with parties ;)<br />
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Thank you Ramon for editing the silent movies, as well as the 5-year awardee video tribute. Nothing comes between you and Premiere Pro <i>talaga noh</i>? Not even gout :P<br />
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Thank you JBL and Janelle for being Kim's right-hand persons during the pre-party preps -- from making the program flow, to the script, to the silent movie shoots. Your creative ideas really shaped the program.<br />
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Thank you Bryle, Uni, Kenneth and Janine for spending the party in the tech booth. You really helped in making the transition smooth for our sounds, lights and videos.<br />
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Thank you to our stage managers JBL and Trish and their runners Marla, Claire, Hannah and Paulo for ensuring the smooth flow of the program. I hope the program participants (awardees, performers, etc) weren't too hard to find, and Kim didn't bully you too much :P A special shout-out to JBL for keeping your cool whenever I came to you with sudden changes and requests.<br />
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Thank you to Bry, Dennis, RJ, DM and Gio for the logistics support and helping out Alvin in prepping the venue for the party. I hope Alvin didn't make you work too hard :P<br />
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Thank you to our caterer Spice not only for the delicious food, but also for the beautiful table designs and buffet decors! I think the investment in those feathers are worth it as they really pulled the look together :)<br />
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<b>And lastly:</b><br />
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Thank you Sherwin, the best brother-in-law ever, for being my one-man food committee. It has been a long time <i>noh</i> since you participated in preparing for a party? Thank you for looking for caterers, for organizing the food tastings, for coordinating with (aka making <i>kulit</i>) our chosen caterer, as well as helping out on the day of the party itself. Next year, I will try to ask for more committee support from you <i>ha</i> :P<br />
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Thank you Ramon for being my creatives partner. <i>Pasensya na kung minsan </i>hard-to-please <i>ako </i>:P You pulled off the look and feel of Art Deco with our email blasts, as well as in the party. Remember, minimum effort with maximum impact ;) Thank you as well for making sure the entrance to the venue looked perfect :D<br />
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Thank you Alvin for heading the logistics committee. <i>Pasensya na rin sa mga</i> last-minute ideas and decisions, but you took charge and went for it <i>pa rin</i>. Thank you for supervising the massive task of ingress, with putting up the stage, lights and sounds, as well as making sure the "smaller" things are also taken cared of, like the VIP drinks, photo wall backdrops, the red carpet, stanchions, etc. You picked a reliable team, and you handled logistics like a master ;)<br />
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Thank you Kim for heading the program committee. <i>Pasensya rin </i>if I initially shattered your heart (and JBL's and Janelle's) to pieces when I wanted to go into a different direction for the story of the program. Thank you for trusting in my instincts, and thank you for putting your own spin into it. You picked a reliable team, you handled them efficiently and effectively, and it showed through the program. I loved it that you worked independently, but also knew when to ask for my advice, help and support, and I truly appreciate that.<br />
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Thank you She-ann for your encouragement and support. I really needed a "boss" this month to guide me, and I am super thankful my team is now under your supervision! :D<br />
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Thank you to my previous boss Bon for that super-unexpected-aww-inducing-I-might-just-cry message of support on the day of the party. We missed you a lot that night.<br />
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Thank you to the Kendeng Club for being my support group this month. <i>Salamat sa inyong pag-de-stress sakin</i> during breaks and <i>bago umuwi</i>. Nakakabawas sa heart palpitations, infer :D<br />
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Thank you as well to my bb daughter Darice for being a patient and understanding daughter. <i>Anak</i>, sorry for the late nights and working weekends. <i>Babawi ako</i>, promise! :-*<br />
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Most of all, thank you to all employees for supporting not only the anniversary party, but also the anniversary activities! The anniversary wouldn't have been a success if not for your participation. I hope you watched the Hasta and Fuerza games, bought books from Sociedad Humana, and participated in Momento's photo contest (deadline has been extended <i>ha</i>!). Thank you for participating in the Veinte trivia game, as well as wearing your chosen colors during Dia Del Color. I hope you've all had your team lunchouts already to celebrate the anniversary.<br />
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Lastly, I hope all of you felt the company spirit through our month-long celebration. This was all for you, to feel the 20 years of <i>amor </i>that sustained our company, and to bring us forward to 20 years more (and beyond!) of success.<br />
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Thank you, and happy anniversary to all :D<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! We still have one more surprise for you all, and you will need it to complete the badges for BadgeUP! Stay tuned :D</span></i>missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-86864130111151662922015-07-04T20:17:00.002+08:002015-07-05T09:56:28.804+08:00Null and Void<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've been wanting to write about this for the looooongest time, but I've been a headless <strike>chicken</strike> pig for the past months. I'm carving time out to publish this within the week *crosses fingers* because I'm starting the process as well of changing my marital status in all of my records -- therefore going back to my maiden name wooohoo! :D</span></i><br />
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Yes, the declaration of nullity is now final!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(And yes, there's a diff between annulment of marriage and declaration of nullity of marriage. I'll leave you guys to Google that :P)</span></i><br />
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<a name='more'></a>The process actually started in 2010, with the decision being handed down last year.<br />
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So, four years to finally and irrevocably end a marriage, which I think was doomed from the beginning, and which according to the court, was well, null and void from the start.<br />
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Of course, I didn't start off this way, with "this" meaning being able to look at my previous marriage for the way it is. I'm sure most of my long-time blog readers (are you still there, by the way? :P) know <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/search/label/hiwalayan" target="_blank">how "emotional" I was when the marriage started to unravel</a>, even though there were a lot of signs already that it wasn't working out (I won't link posts, there are just too many :P).<br />
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<b><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">BAD BLOOD</span></b><br />
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For a few years, to be honest, there was a part of me then that couldn't really fully let go of him.<br />
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At the start, we still tried to do things together with the Star, thinking the separation will be easier for her. I expected him to be more respectful of my feelings, as if he owes me that, and when I didn't get the "respect" I thought I deserved, it crushed me and I resented him even more. I was also suspicious of the changes I was seeing in him (during the times he would pick up the Star for the weekend), thinking that he was a wolf in sheep's clothing, all to impress his new girlfriend. <br />
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And then, there were all those discussions about our failed marriage for the annulment case. First, of course with the lawyer, and I had to do it twice as the first lawyer died (!!!) so repeat <i>kwento</i> for the second lawyer. Then with the psychologist -- two Saturdays of my life bawling my eyes out, basically laying out to her the history of the relationship, from the first time we met till our last month together. Months after, I read the psychologist's report and it was another round of painful emotions for me.<br />
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Oh, and the trips to the Hall of Justice! Now I know firsthand why court cases move so slowly, although I don't know if it was just in Family Court, or for all courts in the country -- every step for the case are scheduled months apart! <i>Maygudnes</i>. Anyhoo, I resented the ex for all those trips to the Hall of Justice, as it was "extra" <i>gastos</i>, and I had to use my leaves. Every time I went up to the Hall of Justice, my resentment of him grew more and more.<br />
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There were a lot of other things that made me resentful, and me so full of contempt. And I reveled in all those resentful feelings. It was like a drug -- I felt like I needed to fuel that contempt so I can finally get him out of my system, so that I wouldn't feel "love" for him anymore, so I can be cured of him. <i>Ang talino ko noh? :P</i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED</span></b><br />
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But then, things were a-changing. It was during this time that I went on a different career track (same company) which had me going from a client office coordinating with the same-ol'-same-ol' people for the past couple of years, to the head office working with WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??? Basically, my social skills HAD to go up a notch (or several notches) for my new role, and I had to be ready and open for anything because the work was so... hmmm... dynamic to say the least ehehehe.<br />
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It was the change I needed. I had no previous training for my new role, and I was learning on-the-fly. With the sudden need to be open and sociable and available ALL THE TIME (LOLJK, most of the time lang :P), and with all the new experiences I had on the job, I had to let go of a LOT of insecurities -- <i>Am I good enough? Should I be here? What if I'm doing everything wrong? What if they don't like me?</i>. Letting them go means working harder and better, because I had to prove to myself I made the right choice (and that the company made the right choice too for choosing me for that role hehehehe).<br />
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Maybe, just maybe, letting go of those insecurities made me let go of my contempt and resentment of the ex. Maybe my contempt and resentment also stem from insecurities of not being good enough for the ex, for any man for that matter, which are the same kind of insecurities I had about my new role. And, letting go of those insecurities meant I had to let go of those negative feelings for the ex as well. Well, I don't know, I'm just psycho-babbling here :P<br />
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It was also during this time that I spent a lovely weekend with a friend, and somehow even though it ended on a messy and unpleasant note, I was reminded that love CAN be light, wonderful, cheesy, <i>kilig</i>, and just generally feel <i><b>so good</b></i>. Love should feel that way, <i>diba</i>? :)<br />
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And with that, <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2012/09/5-things-i-learned-from-ex-last-weekend.html" target="_blank">plus a weird convo with the ex</a>, made me finally realize that...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">WE ARE NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER</span></b><br />
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So by the time I was grilled by the prosecutor (? <i>piskal</i> ?) in 2013, I answered truly, (not madly, of course), deeply and sincerely: "No, I will not have him back".<br />
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The question was: <i>If he has changed, and mended his ways, and comes back to you, will you welcome him back? </i>(That's a better question than "Do you still love him/her?" which I heard the prosecutor ask other annulment petitioners in court.)<br />
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And my answer was not out of contempt or resentment. It is the belief and knowledge that we are not a match, and very much incompatible. We are really not for each other.<br />
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I guess you can say our combination is null and void.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">SHAKE IT OFF</span></b><br />
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Life for me, the ex, and our daughter has been ~normalized for quite some time now, with the court decree just a final and legal stamp.<br />
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I can say the Star has grown up to be a well-adjusted teenager. She has the usual angst and moods of the sulky teenager but I don't think she has any real hangups against her dad, or her stepmother and stepsister. Or maybe she has, but she's mature enough to let them go. I'm just so lucky and thankful to have such a good kid.<br />
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I believe the ex is also doing good for himself. But, I just have to say, he can still be a jerk (he knows he is :P), and unlike before when it would just consume me and get me riled up, I would just *shrug* then say "<i>Meh</i>" then go on with my day.<br />
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LOLJK. Sometimes I vent first to my friends, then I'll be okay, then I respond in a mature and responsible manner. Or sometimes I just don't respond at all :P<br />
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(Although there really has been less need to communicate with him -- we basically coordinate the weekend schedule of the Star, well, with the Star. Sometimes, she calls the shots too, and says where she wants to spend the weekend.)<br />
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As for me, well... watch out for future blog posts ;)<br />
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---<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, Taylor Swift songs. Why the hell not? :)</span></i>missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-16315885822618731182015-01-19T05:02:00.001+08:002015-01-19T16:54:56.936+08:00Oh hello there, 2015!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's hard to look forward to a year which started with bawling your eyes out (another story for another time), but existential angst aside, here I am greeting the year (finally) with all the positivity and good vibes I can muster.<br />
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You see, I don't want to lose my marbles.<br />
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Okay, so during the New Year's eve mass, the priest told of a story of man who bought marbles in a quantity equal to the number of Saturdays left in his (perceived) lifetime, and put them in a jar. The man is old in the story, so he had only less than a thousand marbles in the jar, and would remove one for each weekend that passes by. (Do I have to retell the whole thing, or do you already get the moral of the story?)</div>
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I, therefore, computed for my own number of marbles, which amounted to almost 2,000 marbles, should I live to a few months after I turn 70. </div>
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<b>2,000 marbles!</b></div>
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What will I do with my marbles?</div>
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And what will you do with yours? :)</div>
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<i>(To be continued)</i></div>
missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-65986098519630232302014-09-09T14:33:00.000+08:002014-09-09T14:33:52.020+08:00Mula kay Nena<i>Salamat sa <a href="http://http//web.archive.org/" target="_blank">WayBackMachine</a>, nahanap ko <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20040825050832/http://www.peyups.com/article.khtml?sid=2149&mode=nested&order=0&thold=0" target="_blank">ang sagot ni Nena</a> sa aking sinulat na <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2014/09/para-kay-nena.html" target="_blank">Para kay Nena</a>. Aking ibabahagi na rin sa blog na 'to bilang pag-alaala sa buhay ni Nena.</i><br />
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Ngayon lang ako nakabasa ng isang essay na tungkol sa akin. Una kong reaksyon? Surprised, touched, flattered, afraid, relieved and happy all at the same time. Kakaiba. Salamat, mare, for making me feel these emotions. Before you read further, please donβt expect that this will be a literary piece. This is just an outpouring of thoughts, not carefully written and organized. In which I hope missyosigirl will find honesty and sincerity.<br />
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Paano ko nga ba ito sisimulan? Ummβ¦ Iβm back? May pasalubong akong dala para kina missyosigirl at grace β kape. Para malaman nila bakit ako sobrang nag-rave sa kape dun sa sulat ko. Sobrang sarap naman kasi talaga e. But no, hanggang ngayon, di pa rin nila natitikman kasi failure at an attempt ang pagsangag ng kape.<br />
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Pero di lang kape ang baon ko para sa mga friends ko. Higit sa lahat, ay ang dala kong karanasan β mayaman at puno ng aral. Kahit na ilang beses ko na nabasa na matindi ang kahirapan sa bansa natin, malayo pa rin sa inaasahan ang nakita kong kalagayan doon.<br />
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Grabe, naawa talaga ako sa Pinas. Sobrang third world. To the point na karamihan pa rin sa mga baryong napuntahan namin, paa ang ginagamit to cultivate the land. Kahit simpleng araro at kalabaw wala. Sa panahong ito ng robotics and high-technology, ganitong klaseng method pa rin ang ginagamit ng mga magsasaka natin. Tapos ang daming cases ng ancestral lands confiscated by the government and declared as public domain. Meron na ngang historic neglect of basic social services (the few existing schools there employ the multi-grade system, most barrios do not have health clinics, and there are very few to no basic facilities at all for water and electricity), aagawan mo pa ng kabuhayan.<br />
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Syempre, para sa kanila, land is life. Sabi nga nila, βNusa pipa makaugud, manugud kan di takuβ¦β (βIf the land could speak, it would speak for usβ¦β) The unjust inequality and the systematic oppression cannot be more evident. But Iβm sure you already knew this. Alam naman nating lahat na may pang-aapi at pagsasamantalang nagaganap. Nagkakatalo lang naman tayo kung paano natin hinaharap ang mga ito.<br />
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Ikukuwento ko muna ano'ng ginawa namin sa harap at sa gitna ng ganitong mga atake sa buhay at karapatan. Hindi naging mahirap ang ipaintindi sa mga taga-roon na mali ang mga nangyayari, na wala tayong maasahan sa kasalukuyang gobyerno, na ang redemption natin ay magmumula lang talaga sa atin. Sila na mismo ang nagsasabi nito. Ang tanging papel na ginampanan namin ay ang pagtitipon ng kanilang mga ideya at pagbabalik nito sa kanila. Para ipakita na tayo ay isang very powerful and able force in building a just and self-reliant society.<br />
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Dahil basic problem ng community doon ay ang napakababang production, first thing we did was to revive the tradition of bayanihan among members of the community. Unti-unti na kasi ito nawawala dahil mas nagiging individualized na ang pagtatrabaho sa palayan. Tapos, nagtayo ng rice cooperative na very minimum ang interest rates β 2% -10% lang, instead of the usual 20%.<br />
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Nagkaroon din ng project ng expansion ng palayan. At naging successful din ang campaign sa mga magtatabako na itaas ang presyo ng produkto nila. Lahat ng tagumpay na ito nakamit dahil sa pagkakaisa ng mga magsasaka doon. Collective action has always been a potent medium for change.<br />
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All these have been very fulfilling for me. Yung madama mo ang konkretong ginhawa na nako-contribute ng efforts mo. Na bahagi ka ng napakalaking pagbabago. Dagdag pa diyan ang nakakapasong pagtanggap at appreciation ng mga magsasaka doon. Indeed, they go out of their way just to make us feel comfortable. Kahit na sobrang krisis sa baryo, maghahanda pa rin sila ng mga pagkain. Lagi nga silang nagkakatay ng manok o baboy pag dumating kami. Kakaiba. Who wouldnβt be inspired and driven to do more?<br />
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So, what are my plans now? Walang pag-aalinlangan, ipagpapatuloy ko ito. Lahat ng nakita ko dun only strengthened my resolve. Nung nandoon ako, wala namang humingi ng diploma sa akin bago nila ako pakinggan at paniwalaan. Hindi kailangan ng medalya at diploma para paglingkuran ang sambayanan. And definitely, for me, this is the most direct and effective way. Di hamak na mas malaking kontribusyon ito kaysa kung naging engineer ako.<br />
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Sabi ko nga kanina, sa form lang naman tayo nagkakatalo. Lahat naman tayo gusto magcontribute sa pagbabago. Pero bakit ito pinili ko? Because I wanted to more than just contribute to the much-needed change. I want to live it. At paunlarin pa ito. Kaya ko pinili ito dahil naniniwala ako dito. Hindi lang siya something you imagine na sabi ni john. I donβt think this is a hopeless cause. Sabi nga ni Sir Gelacio Guillermo, isang magaling na manunulat at propesor sa up, βIt will be so much the worse for us if we believe that life cannot be changed.β<br />
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And because of this, I donβt think sayang ang buhay ko. In fact, Iβm making this a life worth living para sa lahat ng mga taong mahalaga at nagbigay-halaga sa buhay ko. Iβm thinking, ito actually dream ko nung bata ako. To live my life with passion. At natutuwa ako kasi Iβm doing ok. Sure, hindi siya stable at peaceful na buhay. But who has a stable and peaceful life, really? =)<br />
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Iβm not doing a very good job explaining myself. Which is why I know I wont be doing a good job of saying goodbye once again. I just want to say that more than anything else, uulitin ko, na ito ay para sa mga taong mahalaga sa buhay ko. Ayoko isipin niyo na act of betrayal ito, rather, a labor of aching love.<br />
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Naniniwala ako na βa true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.β Kahit ang galit na nararamdaman ko sa kabulukan ng mundo ay bunga ng pagmamahal sa ating lahat na biktima ng ganitong karahasan.<br />
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Mapoot at magmahal.missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-15082132834575339192014-09-09T00:27:00.001+08:002014-09-09T14:40:15.367+08:00Para kay Nena<i>Nena, naaalala mo pa nung <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20040805122535/http://www.peyups.com/article.khtml?sid=1419" target="_blank">sinulat ko 'to nung 2002</a>? Nalathala ito sa peyups.com (wala ne'to ngayon), at sa newsletter ng departamento namin. Ibabahagi ko ito ngayon sa blog ko na walang pagbabago galing mismo sa digital na kopya ng newsletter. [<strike>Hindi nga lang ako makakita ng kopya ng sinulat mo namang sagot dito :(</strike> Salamat sa WaybackMachine, nahanap ko ang <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20040825050832/http://www.peyups.com/article.khtml?sid=2149&mode=nested&order=0&thold=0" target="_blank">sagot ni Nena</a>. Maari niyo rin itong basahin <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2014/09/mula-kay-nena.html" target="_blank">dito</a> (sa blog ko).] <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Edited to add links]</span></i><br />
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Sa lahat ng mga taong inaasahan kong makakapunta ng EDSA Dos, si Nena pa talaga ang hindi sumipot. Tsk, tsk! Tumakas pa man din sya sa probinsya nila. Nang makarating siya sa Manila, nakaalis na si Erap sa MalacaΓ±ang at nanunumpa na si Gloria sa Edsa.<br />
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Isang tibak si Nena. Hindi ko naman ito nahalata nβung una ko siyang nakilala. Blockmates kami at di ko naman napansin na may potensyal siyang maging isang tibak. Akala ko, nβung sumali siya sa isang rally kontra sa CPDP (naaalala niyo pa ba yung issue na yun?) eh, nagpapacute lang siya sa mga boys sa block namin.<br />
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Normal naman kausap si Nena. Inamin niyang crush niya βyung blockmate namin na mala-Robin Padilla ang dating. Nβung pinanood namin yung βHerculesβ, pareho kaming tuwang-tuwa kay Zeus (βUhm, Olympus would be THAT wayβ). Sabay naming nadiskubre ang bisyo ng paninigarilyo, at magkasama kaming nagtatago sa mga taong kontra sa pagyoyosi namin. Pumapasok lang kami ng ES 11 dahil sa teacher namin, kahit na pareho kaming bagsak-bagsak sa eksam. Pagdating sa lovelife ko, memorized niya ang mga pinagdadaanan ko β sa mga litanya ko sa email at sa mga kuwentuhan sa tambayan. Madalas ang panonood niya ng UAAP games at padaan-daan sya sa gym. Normal ang buhay. Normal ang pinagkakaabalahan.<br />
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Bukod pa dβun, may iba pa siyang pinagkakaabalahan. May mga RTR, flyers na pinamimigay, meetings na pinupuntahan. Magugulat na lang ako kapag matyempuhan ko ang isang rally na padaan at makita ko siya roon. Dumami na rin ang mga kuwento niya tungkol sa mga adventures niya at sa mga bago niyang mga kakilala. Sa isang rally na pinuntahan niya, nabalitaan ko na nakaladkad siya ng mga nagdi-disperse na guwardiya. Nagsimula akong mag-alala para sa kaibigan ko.<br />
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Nβung third year kami, naging part-time na estudyante na lang si Nena. Hindi na siya pumapasok, iilan lang ang units na in-enroll niya. Minsan ko na lang din siyang nakikita β kung may RTR lang sila sa Engβg o sa NEC o kung napapadaan ako sa Vinzonβs. Minsan, dumadaan talaga siya sa tambayan para makipagkuwentuhan. Hindi talaga βyun magpapahuli sa mga kuwento namin sa buhay at sa mga tsismis sa tambayan! Hindi rin niya makakalimutan na bigyan kami ng flyers at imbitahang sumali sa kung anu-anong rally.<br />
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Tuluyan ng nag-AWOL si Nena pagtungtong naming nang fourth year. Hindi na siya pumasok at wala nang balak maging estudyante. Naging malaking issue ito sa aming magkakaibigan β si Nena pa naman ang may pinakamalaking potensyal sa βmin, tapos hindi na niya itutuloy ang pag-aaral! Nanghinayang kaming magkakaibigan sa desisyon niya. Siyempre, mas malaking issue ito sa bahay nila. Makalipas ang ilang buwan, pinadala siya ng mga magulang niya sa probinsya nila sapagkat<br />
hindi nila makumbinse si Nena na mag-aral pang muli.<br />
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Bago siya umalis, ginawa kong ninang si Nena ng aking anak. Astig, βdi ba? Ninang ng anak ko, isang tibak! Astig din ang mga regalo ni Nena nβung Pasko at nβung 1st birthday ng anak ko β mga pambatang aklat tungkol sa EDSA, child labor, at Chico River Dam! Kakaiba, βdi ba? Ito βyung dahilan kung bakit ko siya ginawang ninang: upang mabigyan ng ibang perspektibo ang anak ko tungkol sa ginagalawan niyang mundo. Habang bata pa lang ang anak ko, gusto ko na siyang mamulat sa mga bagay-bagay na alam kong si Nena lang ang makapagtuturo sa kanya.<br />
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Nagkita kami isang araw sa tambayan. Kuwentuhan, update ng mga drama sa buhay. Pinasalamatan ko siya sa pagiging speaker sa report namin tungkol sa Communism sa Soc Sci II. Maya-mayaβy, natahimik sya at binanggit na, βMay sasabihin ako sa βyo.β Gagawin na niya ang kinatatakutan naming magiging kahihinatnan ng pagiging tibak niya β mamumundok na siya.<br />
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βEh, pano kung maabutan kayo dβun ng Balikatan? Anong gagawin niyo sa [panahong makaharap niyo ang] mga [sundalong] Amerikano?β<br />
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βTinuruan naman kami, eh. Pβano umilag. Pβano dumapa.β<br />
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βHa?!? Magdadala ba kayo ng baril? Magiging NPA ka na ba?β<br />
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βHindi noh! Babalik ako sa October!β<br />
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βMare, ingat ka na lang. Nena, bumalik ka ha!β<br />
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Umalis si Nena nβung birthday ng anak ko nβung April. βEh, anong feeling mo, despedida mo?β tanong ng kaibigan namin. Marami sa amin ang asar kay Nena sa ginawa niya. Pinaglalaban ang karapatan sa edukasyon habang siyaβy hindi nag-aaral! Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang ginawa ni Nena. Natuwa na lang ako para sa kaibigan ko at nangako naman siyang sumulat.<br />
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Dumating ang isang sulat galing kay Nena ilang buwan nang nakalilipas. Isang sulat para sa lahat ng kaibigan niya, na puno ng kuwento sa pagsasaka niya, sa pag-inom ng kakaibang kape, sa pagkain ng ibang klaseng brown rice. Nami-miss daw niya βyung chocolates at kung anu-anong sweets. Ano na raw ang mga issues dito sa Maynila?<br />
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Naku! Nena, may trabaho na si Grace. Gagraduate na si Marie ngayong sem. βYung kumpare mo, magnenegosyo na lang at ayaw nang kumuha ng matinong trabaho. Hindi ko na nakikita si Betchay β malamang nabuntis na nga siya. Nag-propose na ako ng thesis ko, at tinanggap without revisions. Marunong nang magbilang from 1 to 10 ang inaanak mo. Panalo nga pala ang Ateneo.<br />
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Pero, meron pa ring mahirap at mayaman, mga snatcher at holdaper sa mga kalye at mga magnanakaw sa gobyerno. Mataas pa rin ang dollar rate. Tumataas pa rin ang presyo ng gasolina. Hindi na yata mawawala ang banta ng TFI. Traffic pa rin kahit na ano paβng gawin ni BF, baguhin man niya ang traffic schemes ng lahat ng kalye, o magpaalis siya ng sidewalk vendors. Hay naku! Nena, parang walang nagawa ang mahigit tatlong taon mong pakikibaka.<br />
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Ano nga ba ang mensahe ko? Para sa ating mga hindi tibak, gusto ko lang ipakita na mayroon tayong mundong ginagalawan na mas malawak sa EEE. Huwag niyo masyadong problemahin yung exam na βyan, βyung boy/girlfriend niyo, na hindi kayo makagimik, na asar kayo sa parents niyo. Huwag kayong masyadong ma-depress na hindi niyo mapagana βyung CoE 115 niyo, na nakaka-imbyerna βyung teacher niyo sa EEE xxx, na pinagsasabay-sabay lahat ng MPs, problem sets and lab reports sa iisang linggo. May mga taong namumrublema sa kakainin nila bukas, kung saan sila matutulog mamayang gabi, at kung huhulihin ba sila ng pulis ngayon. Merong mga government officials diyan na walang inisip kundi pβano tayo isahan. Dapat malaman niyo rin kung paano tumatakbo ang lipunan.<br />
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At para sa inyong mga tibak, at para sa iyo Nena, gusto ko naman ipaalala na may sariling buhay din kayo, may kaibigan, may pamilya, may kinabukasan. Sana makatapos din kayo, kasi alam ko namang naniniwala kayo sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon, βdi ba? Hindi baβt itoβy isa sa inyong pinaglalaban? Sana maasikaso niyo rin ang buhay niyo kasabay ng pagharap sa tungkulin sa sambayanan.<br />
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Sobrang nami-miss ko na talaga si Nena.<br />
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<i>Labing-dalawang taon na ang lumipas. Nakakaimbyerna pa rin ang traffic. Wala na ngang wang-wang, pero meron namang special escorts na naka-motor with matching lights. Mas marami ng kalokohan ang mga kriminal ngayon. Pahirap ng pahirap ang mga mahihirap, at payaman ng payaman ang mga mayayaman. Parang walang nagbago.</i><br />
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<i>Labing-dalawang taon na ang lumipas. Hindi na ako software developer, nasa Marketing na 'ko ngayon. Nasa high school na ang inaanak mo, at salamat sa Diyos, wala pang boyfriend. Malapit ng ma-annul ang kasal ko, at nagkatuluyan na si Ex at si Betchay. Friends kami ni Marie sa Facebook, pero hindi kami nagkikibuan. Madalas kaming mag-usap ni Tring and ni Grace sa Facebook, pero sana mas madalas kaming magkita. May someone ~special na pala ako.</i><i> Marami na ang nagbago.</i><br />
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<i>At ngayon, ikaw ay pumanaw na.</i><br />
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<i>Ngayon, naniniwala ako na meron kang nagawa, na may naidulot kang pagbabago -- sa mga taong nakilala mo, sa mga komunidad na natulungan mo, sa mga grupo na magpapatuloy ng iyong trabaho. Sigurado ako na may naumpisahan kang pagbabago sa labing-dalawang taon mo sa kabundukan, hindi lamang doon, pero dito rin, lalo na sa mga taong naiwan mo sa Kamaynilaan.</i><br />
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<i>Sobrang mami-miss talaga kita, Nena.</i>missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-74944822815785599242014-08-10T13:07:00.004+08:002014-08-10T13:07:39.276+08:00SONA* (Yet) So Far**<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">* <b>SONA</b> -- State of the "now" address</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">** Word play on the phrase "so near, yet so far" (yeah, okay, didn't work, let's move on)</span></i><br />
<i><br /></i>Hello there, <strike>July</strike> August!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I started to write this post in July, but no, I forgot about it, and *baaam* August na.)</span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/83435746/2014-wall-calendar-flapper-doodle" target="_blank">flapperdoodle</a> via <a href="http://www.eckaandpecka.com/2013/09/09/10-adorable-seasonal-style-2014-calendars/" target="_blank">ecka & becka</a> (shading done by me)</td></tr>
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Let me just give you a glimpse of my first half of the year :)<br />
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New (experiences) -- Sherlock, traffic system, BDJ box, Wild Tiger, bed, LO with the big boss. Old (favorites) -- me (as I turned a year older), coffee with college friends, tikoy, desserts, breakfast food, kofta balls, pekwa with the fambam.</div>
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Wicked weekend. Heart-y breakfasts and LoVe. Bulalo, Greek, bagnet and club dinners. And still a bit Sherlocked (coz of the game).</div>
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LoVe month and all that Mars, and welcoming Zoe into our home :D</div>
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New hair and new gadgets. Pantry parties and birthday bonanzas. Work, work, work, and quality time every weekend. Oh, Mars and perks :D</div>
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June was kind of slow in terms of ~kaganapan, but there was still a lot of pigging out that happened. And so I ventured into juicing. And then our puppy Zoe passed away D:</div>
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Akshully, the second quarter was a bit rough for me as there were a lot of ~personal shiz going down, with the foundation not as strong as I thought it would be. Yes, file that statement under these hashtags: #vaguestoryisvague #cryptickwento #truestorybro</div>
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There are still a lot of kwento behind-the-scenes, and maybe, when the weather is a bit more permitting (it's really hot here in our computer area right now huhuhu it's like habagat didn't happen), I might sit down again and blog all about those BTS shiz.</div>
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How's 2014 treating you so far? :D</div>
<br />missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-49420797860089899132014-01-01T23:32:00.003+08:002014-01-01T23:32:47.750+08:00Hello 2014: A Trip from Here to ThereThis was supposed to be a "good-bye 2013" post, but as soon as I got to my parents' place yesterday, it was eat-eat-eat-mass-fireworks-eat-eat-eat-sleep so yeah, I got nowhere with this post LOL.<br />
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2013 took me "here", whatever physical (<i>weight gain booo!</i>), emotional (<i>less drama and more GV</i>), spiritual (<i>faith and fate</i>), financial (<i>so-so debt yey?</i>) and career (<i>*crossing my fingers*</i>) state that I am in right now.<br />
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I must say, getting "here" was a blast. 2013, you rocked my world.<br />
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Now, 2014 will take me "there", wherever "there" is. <br />
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Wherever 2014 will take me, I hope you all be with me as I take my trip, from here to there.<br />
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(<a href="http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2011/12/my-new-year-wish.html" target="_blank">And have Neil Gaiman's words of wisdom to guide us all</a>)<br />
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Happy new year!missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-74415265187582551802013-08-18T03:21:00.000+08:002013-08-21T15:30:49.667+08:00Ohaider!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/antique-old-books-covered-in-cobwebs-royalty-free-image/108175739" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
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No, I haven't completely abandoned this blog.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>And so, a quick rundown of notable events since my birthday:<br />
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Graduation activities for the Star started with her confirmation. I asked MVP to be her godmother, while D asked a friend of his to be the godfather. While D and I were waiting in Della Strada for the procession of the confirmants with their godparents, I got this text from MVP:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472083968/" title="From last Saturday: While the Star's... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="From last Saturday: While the Star's..." height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5475/9472083968_688dbf40b5.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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Quits na kami, pinag-heels ko for the confirmation eh :P<br />
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March started with this huge-ish event for our company, wherein I had to make the presentation, and two videos over one weekend. One of the videos I made was this masterpiece LOL:<br />
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That involved a lot of downloading of Youtube videos, splicing them up in Movie Maker, and putting everything together in a logical order and omygaaas that almost took up my whole weekend! And there was still the presentation to put together, which was really the bulk of the event, because the video above was just an intro to the whole thing hahaha. I barely had time to edit the closing video huhuhu.<br />
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But everything fell into place during event day, and so yey, sulit naman ang walang tulog ng ilang araw :D<br />
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And as if to reward me for all my hard work, that same week, the <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/559914737/the-veronica-mars-movie-project" target="_blank">Kickstarter for the Veronica Mars movie</a> was announced!!!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469309245/" title="To celebrate the best day ever... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="To celebrate the best day ever..." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9469309245_4e81616aaa.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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And so to celebrate, I took out my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Neptune-Noir-Unauthorized-Investigations-Veronica/dp/1933771135" target="_blank">Neptune Noir</a>, my Season 1 DVDs, and watched the pilot, while eating a Mars bar :D</div>
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And yes, I'm a backer :)</div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I just backed The Veronica Mars Movie Project on <a href="https://twitter.com/kickstarter">@Kickstarter</a> <a href="http://t.co/fRlneXeXtj">http://t.co/fRlneXeXtj</a> (take all my moniiiiiieeeees!!!)<br />
β missyosigirl (@missyosigirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/missyosigirl/statuses/311977005207937024">March 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<br />
And then it was time for my baby to graduate!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472093334/" title="Trying to finish work tonight for... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Trying to finish work tonight for..." height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/9472093334_b271e178d1_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472093560/" title="Nung panahon ko, like 20 years... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Nung panahon ko, like 20 years..." height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/9472093560_6d38912001_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472093904/" title="With our little graduate! Congratulations my... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="With our little graduate! Congratulations my..." height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/9472093904_856bcec41d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469311249/" title="Celebrated with Greek food plus ice... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Celebrated with Greek food plus ice..." height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/9469311249_77ccd84260_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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<br />
Celebrated with D, with Greek food and ice cream. Hay, parang kelan lang nung <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shellanddar/157494884/" target="_blank">pumasok siya ng Grade 1</a>! A lifetime ago, mygaz.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHtNnx1qHPY/Ug-9-Mua2gI/AAAAAAAACFk/5s7ZZziDJDQ/s1600/april.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MHtNnx1qHPY/Ug-9-Mua2gI/AAAAAAAACFk/5s7ZZziDJDQ/s200/april.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
A pantry party in the office:<br />
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Pantry party woopwoop <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23jackisinthehizaus&src=hash">#jackisinthehizaus</a><br />
β missyosigirl (@missyosigirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/missyosigirl/statuses/322683859118460929">April 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Jose is in the hizaus as well!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23pantryparty&src=hash">#pantryparty</a><br />
β missyosigirl (@missyosigirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/missyosigirl/statuses/322697397388050432">April 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Which didn't end too well for me:<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Best party ever, said the girl who made a mess. Thank you to those who helped me sober up. Special thanks to the chair with wheels :)<br />
β missyosigirl (@missyosigirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/missyosigirl/statuses/322934860941492224">April 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<br />
Let's just say I was the talk of the town for a week.<br />
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But no worries because one week later, the Star and I, with my family, were back in the US!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472098376/" title="We (and our luggages) have arrived! by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="We (and our luggages) have arrived!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/9472098376_74f7678dd0.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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<br />
(I promise a post for our US adventures when I've uploaded all our pictures already!)<br />
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But I think <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/sets/72157635020110178/" target="_blank">MOMA</a> deserves a special mention :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472105828/" title="Exploring on my own :) by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Exploring on my own :)" height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9472105828_1e8bb195cf_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472106044/" title="Kilig :) by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Kilig :)" height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/9472106044_33f3729ee3_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469323449/" title="Me and my goodies from MoMA :) by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Me and my goodies from MoMA :)" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/9469323449_5f27b604db_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472106694/" title="I went to MoMA and... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="I went to MoMA and..." height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/9472106694_6525ca4a5c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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The history and creativity in that place made me so kilig! I promise, I'll see you again MOMA!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRiggzemAgk/Ug-9_qYVedI/AAAAAAAACGA/fVXvxI_-sAA/s1600/may.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRiggzemAgk/Ug-9_qYVedI/AAAAAAAACGA/fVXvxI_-sAA/s200/may.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Best part about May? <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/sets/72157635107649401" target="_blank">WWHP</a>, holla!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469328507/" title="A day at WWHP :) by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="A day at WWHP :)" height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/9469328507_0fdb175773_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472111816/" title="Hogwarts! by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Hogwarts! " height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/9472111816_0d24f5e92f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469330023/" title="I shall miss Hogsmeade and Hogwarts by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="I shall miss Hogsmeade and Hogwarts " height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/9469330023_1c491bbab9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469328301/" title="Butterbeer!!! by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Butterbeer!!!" height="240" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/9469328301_f238b1f5a0_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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Butterbeer, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Journey ride, ugh, so so so so good. Mark my words, I will make a return of the comeback!<br />
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And then, just a few weeks later, we were on our way back home:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472118404/" title="Checking in 6 balikbayan boxes and... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Checking in 6 balikbayan boxes and..." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/9472118404_427c0bee0d.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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That's 6 balikbayan boxes and 12 pieces of luggages. #idontevenknow<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djPHeUdJZcs/Ug-9-MzDDeI/AAAAAAAACFg/zS8Zw0b6o98/s1600/June.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djPHeUdJZcs/Ug-9-MzDDeI/AAAAAAAACFg/zS8Zw0b6o98/s200/June.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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June started with another weekend spent with Powerpoint.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472121116/" title="I'll be spending my Saturday morning... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="I'll be spending my Saturday morning..." height="500" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/9472121116_66dda5bd23.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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A big bossing from Spain was visiting and I had to consolidate updates from the different markets, and then checking with one of our directors for more updated data. Eto yung mga weekends na buti na lang na kay D si Darice eh.<br />
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Speaking of Darice, guess who's now in high school?!?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469338929/" title="Say hi to my high-schooler! by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Say hi to my high-schooler!" height="500" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/9469338929_2a25ab47d4.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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I don't even remember how I was during my first year in high school. Not as awesome or cool as Darice is I'm sure.<br />
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And since I was itching to go to the beach, I joined a group of friends from the office for a weekend in Zambales. Take note, these are not the girls (aka the Kendeng Club), and so I congratulate myself for widening my social circle #lelz Unfortunately, it rained the whole afternoon on our first day, so we mostly just drank alcohol, played games, smoked cigs and played more games LOL.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472125510/" title="My view during my coffee and... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="My view during my coffee and..." height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9472125510_0a08e06a94.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div>
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That was my view as I had my morning coffee and cigs on Sunday :)<br />
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Of course I had to take a trip with the girls too! The following week, I was off to Bataan with them for three days and two nights of beach fun :D<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472127292/" title="Umi-swimming na ang lower batch ng... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Umi-swimming na ang lower batch ng..." height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/9472127292_9638a61cc4.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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There must be something with me though because it rained on our second day! As in bagyo lang naman. But we were still able to enjoy our third day because the rain stopped and the sun came out :D<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF2ZZpPrfmw/Ug-9-7zQM1I/AAAAAAAACF0/qV8Tsk8l2BQ/s1600/july.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF2ZZpPrfmw/Ug-9-7zQM1I/AAAAAAAACF0/qV8Tsk8l2BQ/s200/july.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I tried to get back into the normal groove of things, but hey what's normal anyway?<br />
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And so I just ate a lot:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469346625/" title="Saturdate with this pretty little lady by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Saturdate with this pretty little lady " height="240" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/9469346625_f0366c39d5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9469348309/" title="Gluttony Saturday by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Gluttony Saturday " height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/9469348309_f473fa3bc8_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472131622/" title="Outrageous Cheesecake! (Mango, blueberry and strawberry... by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Outrageous Cheesecake! (Mango, blueberry and strawberry..." height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/9472131622_8d6da841e0_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472132206/" title="Breakfast food is luuurve <3 by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Breakfast food is luuurve <3" height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/9472132206_c8f853a08a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472132414/" title="Late post: Breakfast food for merienda <3 by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Late post: Breakfast food for merienda <3" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/9472132414_af1ec943cc_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/missyosigirl/9472132908/" title="Dinner excelente by missyosigirl, on Flickr"><img alt="Dinner excelente " height="240" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/9472132908_c77f0f0c39_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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From top left, counterclockwise -- J.Co donuts with the Star; a gluttony weekend of ice cream, Rub Ribs, Uncle Cheffy's and Poco Deli; breakfast food from Slappy Cakes; shalang dinner at Vask, merienda at Milky and Sunny; and Outrageous cheesecake from Starbucks.<br />
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---<br />
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I guess I'll end the post here for now, as I just did six months worth of updates :P<br />
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Hopefully, coming soon: a post or several posts about our US trip, then a mid-year wish list post, and hopefully *crossing my fingers* a mid-year bonus haul post (pero kelangan magkaron muna ng mid-year bonus huhuhuhu).missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-87670404144573920212013-01-31T22:44:00.000+08:002013-08-21T15:27:42.400+08:00A few thoughts on turning...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_F0_A3NCvJs/UQp4zHDIuuI/AAAAAAAAAxw/LVQTbkPGJ9M/s1600/33+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_F0_A3NCvJs/UQp4zHDIuuI/AAAAAAAAAxw/LVQTbkPGJ9M/s1600/33+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>I remember having a conversation with someone a few months ago wherein we were comparing ourselves to our mothers and wondering if they were doing the same things we were doing when they were that age.<br />
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When my mother was 33, she had three daughters, had three houses to her name, and has been married to my dad for 10 years already. I think she was a bank manager then, and was managing a side-business as well too. She has already secured our futures with stocks and educational plans. In short, my mom was already fairly stable and secure at that age.<br />
<br />
And 25 years later, we have me at 33 years old: already an ex-wife (not yet legally though, don't rejoice just yet :P), with zero savings, tons of debt, with a tweener daughter about to enter high school. (I must say though that I am perfectly happy where I am at work -- I may not be a manager, but I totally love what I'm doing right now :D)<br />
<br />
At 33, did my mom go drinking after work after a particularly stressful day? Did she ever stress herself out trying on outfits for an hour every morning before going to work? Was she still a fangirl (of a band, an actor, a ship [or love team as they call it then teehee], a movie, a book, whatever)? Did she also indulge in a little office gossip? Did she attend office parties and stayed until they close down the venue? Did she ever go home drunk out of her mind, after staying up for 24 hours straight to organize a party?<br />
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At 33, was my mother doing things I was still doing?<br />
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At 33, should I stop doing those things?<br />
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---<br />
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I admit, I am <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2176281/Generation-refuse-grow-No-mortgage-No-marriage-No-children-No-career-plan-Like-30-somethings-Marianne-Power-admits-shes-.html" target="_blank">a TWIT -- a teenage woman in her thirties</a>.<br />
<br />
Is it time for me to finally grow up?missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-54139474106076227192013-01-13T00:08:00.001+08:002013-01-13T00:08:49.114+08:00A Hair-y Tale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Extremely vain post ahead. You've been warned.</i><br />
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There was once a girl who didn't quite know what to do with <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2007/04/tale-of-hair.html">her hair</a>.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ntPxywhy1I/UPF1sz2W4aI/AAAAAAAAAwg/sAIpmU18LH0/s1600/hair+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ntPxywhy1I/UPF1sz2W4aI/AAAAAAAAAwg/sAIpmU18LH0/s1600/hair+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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The tale, of course, didn't stop there.</div>
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She got tired of growing her hair out to get rid of the rebonded parts, so she had it chopped off.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VWoCHv90i4/UPF8IKydxVI/AAAAAAAAAxA/k2sJ7SFxNJs/s1600/hair2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4VWoCHv90i4/UPF8IKydxVI/AAAAAAAAAxA/k2sJ7SFxNJs/s1600/hair2a.jpg" /></a></div>
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But then, impatience got the best of her, and had her hair relaxed! (What even?!?)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiAk3xVbWlM/UPF848cR62I/AAAAAAAAAxM/gCWk4FDjmY8/s1600/hair2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiAk3xVbWlM/UPF848cR62I/AAAAAAAAAxM/gCWk4FDjmY8/s1600/hair2b.jpg" /></a></div>
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So she tries to grow it out once again, and by December 2010, the longest part of her hair almost reached her shoulders already! (Good job!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GGuI-lWHVw/UPF85AmEftI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/tQ5VMrZxenc/s1600/hair2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4GGuI-lWHVw/UPF85AmEftI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/tQ5VMrZxenc/s1600/hair2c.jpg" /></a></div>
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But her hair looked all kinds of weird, IDK, so she goes for a short haircut once again. This time around, the cut allowed her hair to look "presentable" enough while it grew out. (She could at least tie it back and later on, opted for side-swept bangs.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38hZT1EIOCo/UPF85UtHtNI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ZXfBhxtM09k/s1600/hair2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38hZT1EIOCo/UPF85UtHtNI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ZXfBhxtM09k/s1600/hair2d.jpg" /></a></div>
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So that by August 2011, she had her normal (that is, wavy and <i>buhaghag</i>) hair back. (Hooray!)</div>
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However, the year 2011 was the year she transitioned from being a project manager, entrenched in operations (and assigned to an office which served as a "garage" of sorts), to corporate marketing, engaged in client and partner events (and assigned to the head office).</div>
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She decided she needed hassle-free hair that looked presentable and neat with minimum product and accessories (no hair-ties or clips). And so yes, she took the plunge (again), and had her hair rebonded last September 2011.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVBDr1NuqS0/UPF1saAayGI/AAAAAAAAAwY/Bpf1coT4owI/s1600/hair3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVBDr1NuqS0/UPF1saAayGI/AAAAAAAAAwY/Bpf1coT4owI/s1600/hair3+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since her hair was longer this time around, she was very pleased with the results. By May 2012, she still wanted straight hair, so she went for another rebond treatment to straighten out the growing-out wavy roots. As the year ended, with no time to go for another treatment, her hair became bipolar -- the top half was naturally wavy already, while the bottom half was still straight. By December 2012 she resorted to tying her hair up, or braiding one side of her hair, to hide the curls and waves.</div>
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January 2013 came and she finally scheduled a rebond appointment. The day before her appointment, a sudden urge came over her:
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
gusto kong bumangs!<br />
β missyosigirl (@missyosigirl) <a data-datetime="2013-01-03T04:03:59+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/missyosigirl/status/286684303990067200">January 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async="async" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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However, the rebond specialist said it was not really a good idea as the bangs will stick out and not lay flat against the forehead. Our heroine then thought to herself that she can wait another day; at least she could think about it for another night.</div>
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The next day, she goes for a cellophane and keratin treatment in another salon to counteract the dryness resulting from the rebond treatment. She asks the stylist about getting full bangs but her stylist vetoed the idea. While our heroine's hair was being dried off after the keratin treatment, the stylist reconsidered and said: "If you're going to get full bangs, you should set your bangs down as soon as you get out of the shower so that it won't stick out awkwardly when it dries. Are you okay with that?"</div>
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Oh hell yes.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SA2kcin2H1I/UPF1t0pRG_I/AAAAAAAAAwk/BYuHtzqpSg8/s1600/hair4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SA2kcin2H1I/UPF1t0pRG_I/AAAAAAAAAwk/BYuHtzqpSg8/s1600/hair4+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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And so, our heroine starts 2013, with straight hair once again, peering through her full bangs. She has made quite the impression with people from the office the first day she sported her bangs as they do a double-take when they finally recognize her. All in all, the reviews have been positive, ranging from "You look 10 years younger!" to "<i>Mukha kang kontrabida!</i>" (Ehehehehe)</div>
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Let's see where her new hair takes her this new year :)</div>
missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-4808447773294742352012-12-31T23:53:00.002+08:002013-08-21T15:28:15.042+08:00Whattayear.So let's take a look back at <a href="http://www.missyosigirl.com/2012/01/its-end-of-world-as-we-know-it.html" target="_blank">what I had planned for 2012</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Creative organization</i></b>? I think I reorganized stuff around the house every quarter! I'm currently doing that right now, as I'm spending New Year's Eve all by my lonesome :)) It's a matter of just letting go I guess, and just keeping what's important. But what if ~everything is important? Then find a place to stash it then LOL.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Proper money management</b></i>? Yes, I guess you can say I managed my money better this year. But I still have tons of debt, yet by some grace of the universe, I'm managing, thank you. It was hard to say NO to a few invites, and harder to say YES to paying for things you don't really want but you know you need (case in point: a new filter for our water purifier for six thousand effing pesos).<br />
<br />
<b><i>Comfort zone exploration?</i></b> This is a bit of a hit-and-miss. There were times this year I should've ~explored more, and there were times I should've just stay put. But you know, my pep talk worked -- I learned/studied, I smiled, and I opened my heart, which led to a lot of unforgettable experiences and a whole lot more lessons learned. I guess you can say my comfort zone became a bit wider (if not me LOL) this year.<br />
<br />
<i><b>True-blue <strike>love</strike> like affair?</b></i> Sablay to the nth level. Lessons learned and all that. At least good to know that I'm over the ex, and he's got my back (well sorta I hope).<br />
<br />
As much as I am thankful for the new experiences I've had this year, and the new people I've met, I am most thankful for my daughter, my family and my friends for being there for me during this crazy year. You are my constant rocks -- thank you for pulling me back to earth (when I'm high as fuck [figuratively], or down-ass low).<br />
<br />
You rocked my life hard-core 2012!<br />
<br />
Thank you! :Dmissyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-18104702498323908042012-11-18T03:15:00.000+08:002013-08-21T15:28:15.040+08:00I'm sorry.I have no excuse for what I did. I've tried to come up with reasons to justify my actions, to make me feel less guilty -- reasons to make me feel less of a perpetrator, and more of a victim. I held on to these reasons like a lifesaver, knowing that I'll be drowning in guilt and regret and disgust over what I did if I let them go.<br />
<br />
But I didn't. And I'm sorry for that.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I should have acted smarter than I did then. I should have asked more questions. I should have known better. But I didn't, and I feel so stupid for believing him.<br />
<br />
I shouldn't have done what I did with him. But I did, and I'm sick to my stomach for what I did.<br />
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I shouldn't have been a hypocrite, turning into the kind of person I hated the most. But I did, and I deeply regret it.<br />
<br />
I shouldn't have turned into this "lovesick" twit after that weekend. But I did, and I'm deeply ashamed of what I have become.<br />
<br />
I thought I knew who I was -- what I'm capable of, what I want in life, what I no longer need. Apparently, I didn't know myself well enough, and I'm mortified to discover that part of me.<br />
<br />
Everything I did, I did because of poor judgement -- wrong decisions made one after the other, based on incomplete stories, baseless assumptions, and very crossed signals. That, and this mistaken belief that I was strong enough to resist temptation, when in fact, I was the weakest link.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry for being dumb and weak and horrible and dried-up and desperate.
<br />
<br />
And I'm sorry it took me so long to do this.
<br />
<br />
I'm sorry.
missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-57836780653299045622012-10-02T22:23:00.000+08:002012-10-02T22:23:54.710+08:00Regarding Cab Conversations<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySs0dwaS6G0/UGrtTtPqA-I/AAAAAAAAAs8/LiqPePoOrn8/s1600/taxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySs0dwaS6G0/UGrtTtPqA-I/AAAAAAAAAs8/LiqPePoOrn8/s1600/taxi.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neumeyer/2300755112/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I've been cabbing it to work and back home for quite some time now (as I am <i>tamad</i> and cannot forego the extra hour of sleep in the morning) so I've had my fair share of cab drivers that drive me nuts. There are those who "tsk-tsk" every time we encounter heavy traffic (<i>Gusto niyo walang traffic kuya? Paki-drive ako sa probinsya, puede?</i>), there are those who fall asleep while driving (<i>Kuya kape ka muna sa bahay, baka anong mangyari sa inyo eh!</i>), and then there are those with meters that defy logic (<i>Wag kang makahingi-hingi ng dagdag ha!</i>).<br />
<br />
The best cab drivers IMHO? Those who talk about love, sex and life in general. They usually start off with asking my age, and them being surprised that I look so young (<i>Kuya naman eh! *blush* LOL</i>), and then they usually ask if I have a boyfriend or a husband. I am usually very honest answering them, because hello, I will never see these people again!<br />
<br />
Oh and the priceless words of wisdom I get from them! Here are the most recent cab conversations I've had that stood out in the past two months:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Conversation 1: From an event in Makati to Ortigas</b><br />
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<b>Cab Driver:</b> May asawa ka na?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Hiwalay na po kami.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> O, ba't kayo naghiwalay?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Ayaw na po niya sakin.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Yun lang yon? Ayaw na niya sayo?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Opo.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Bakit nga? Ano yon, payat ka ba dati, tapos bigla ka lang tumaba?<br />
<b>Me:</b> (Laughs) Puede ngang ganon!<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Pero nakapag-move on ka na?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Oo naman po!<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Ako gusto ko na ring mag-move on sa asawa ko.<br />
<b>Me:</b> Ay bakit po? Ano pong nangyari sa asawa niyo?<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Gusto ko ng makapag-move on sa asawa kong nagger!</blockquote>
<i><b>Lesson learned:</b></i> Don't get fat and don't nag.<br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Conversation 2: On my way home</b><br />
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<i>Background: 29-year old cab driver has a 45-year old girlfriend (who is married), plus a friends-with-benefits relationship with a girl his own age (who has a boyfriend)</i><br />
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<b>Cab Driver:</b> Panakip butas ko lang naman dapat yung mas bata<br />
<b>Me:</b> Okay<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Kala ko makakalimutan ko yung mas matanda habang kami<br />
<b>Me:</b> Pero?<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Eh may kakaibang amoy kasi yung mas bata...<br />
<b>Me:</b> *facepalm*<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Syempre pag nagsesex kayo... di mo maiiwasa---<br />
<b>Me:</b> Okay gets ko naman Kuya.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Hygiene problem kasi talaga!</blockquote>
<b><i>Lesson learned:</i></b> Clean your nether regions. LOL.<br />
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<b>Conversation 3: On my way to the office</b></div>
<div>
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<b>Cab Driver:</b> O eh, may asawa ka na?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Opo.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Ilan na anak niyo?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Isa lang po.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> O bakit isa lang?<br />
<b>Me:</b> Hiwalay na po kasi kami.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Ilan taon ka na ba?<br />
<b>Me:</b> 32 po.<br />
<b>Cab Driver:</b> Bata ka pa. Makakahanap ka pa ng true love mo.<br />
<b>Me:</b> (Laughs) Oo naman manong, di pa naman ako nawawalan ng pag-asa.</blockquote>
<b><i>Lesson learned:</i></b> There is always hope :)<br />
<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
Take note that these conversations took place only in the past two months. I have so many other interesting conversations with cab drivers (like gay actors propositioning them, how meters are being fixed, why they are choosy aka <i>mapili sa pasahero</i>) I can make a whole new blog about it, I swear :))<br />
<br />
The best thing about me having conversations with the cab driver? Well, aside from making him less sleepy, or building some sort of "bond" so he won't get that mad with my stingy tip, I get to practice my small talk slash conversation skills! Although sometimes the topics are not really for "small talk", I admit LOL. But well, at least I try and learn to converse with strangers, so that when the time comes I need to converse with non-strangers or people I barely know, I'll be more comfortable.<br />
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Just as long as the topic isn't about feminine hygiene LOL.</div>
missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-48959025408984712062012-09-30T18:48:00.000+08:002012-09-30T18:48:14.495+08:00Dancing in September...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another month completed! Goo'jab me, LOL!</div>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OWXq8hKOK4/" target="_blank">I got Sherlock (my phone) back from the service center last August 15</a>, and so I had to wait for September to do the one month of prompts by <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/" target="_blank">FatMumSlim</a>. Also the tail-end of August proved to be such a roller-coaster of feels, I do not think I would've been able to remember to take photos everyday. The prompts for the month of September though helped me overcome the feels and get back to normal (or to as normal as I could get LOL).</div>
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And so, behold my September photos below. Click on the image to go to the Flickr set (and for the descriptions, etc). </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shellanddar/sets/72157631654787726/detail/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F47AnDfPQfw/UGfQwaq7BHI/AAAAAAAAAso/pIjEl6v9k-Y/s640/september+copy+small.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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(I'm thinking if I should still do the prompts by FatMumSlim, or go my own way for October. <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/october-photo-a-day-challenge-list/" target="_blank">Here's her list for October</a>. What do you think?)<br />
<br />missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-55285983742865189662012-09-01T23:00:00.001+08:002012-09-02T09:53:40.730+08:005 Things I Learned from the Ex Last Weekend<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgXQfgY1or0/UEIQvwEPT8I/AAAAAAAAAsM/O9bhbw7yQsk/s1600/xfiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dgXQfgY1or0/UEIQvwEPT8I/AAAAAAAAAsM/O9bhbw7yQsk/s400/xfiles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://jonathandallen.com/tag/x-files/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I wouldn't normally talk to the ex about anything, but the situation kinda called for it.<br />
<br />
So over a few cigarettes, here are mind-boggling nuggets I learned from, and because of, the ex:<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>1) The statement "<i>Ang hot ko pala nung college</i>" deserves a high-five.</b><br />
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I don't know if he agreed that I was hot back in college (I was the one who made that oh-so-<i>nagbubuhat-ng-bangko</i>-quip), or he agreed because he thinks he was hot back in college as well.<br />
<br />
Well, why not both LOL.<br />
<br />
<b>2) Guys will say anything to assure a girl and get her to do what he wants.</b><br />
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His example was of course himself (being that this conversation was really all about him and his problems /sarcasm) and the things he told me. Okay point taken, but I still don't want to generalize.<br />
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<b>3) If he wanted to, he can get any girl to break up with her boyfriend and hook up with him.
</b><br />
<br />
<i>DI KO KINAYA</i>. I think I must've rolled my eyes at him so much that my eyes almost fell off their sockets. And I showed him the aforementioned eye-rolling.<br />
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And I think I had a bout of LOLs.<br />
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<b>4) Guys in his office will usually give him a heads-up when they will go after his former girlfriends.</b><br />
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(These former girlfriends are the ones he had during our marriage.)<br />
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And, take note, even those higher in position than him would do him the courtesy of asking permission to go out with his former girlfriend.<br />
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I think I had another bout of eye-rolling and LOLs after this statement.<br />
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<b>5) I am so over the ex.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
That, ladies and gentlemen, is the father of my daughter.<br />
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I am actually thankful in a way, because this guy knows EVERY BULLSHIT that a guy will throw at my daughter, and so will eventually weed out the undesirables. <i>Baka nga lang di na magka-boyfriend ang anak ko</i> hahaha!<br />
<br />
Not that he would want me back though, but before, when I'm asked if I'd accept him back if ever he wants to get back together, of course hypothetically speaking (that is, when hell freezes over, pigs start flying, and my weight goes back down to 120 lbs), I don't really have a ready answer. He will always have a special place in my heart (of course, he's my daughter's father!) and there was this desire to keep the family together for the Star.<br />
<br />
If you ask me that again now, I will answer with Taylor Swift's new song: "And we, are never ever ever, getting back together" (cue LSS as well). Why the fuck did I fall for that macho shit?!?<br />
<br />
Blech. Complete and utter turn-off.<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
Our "relationship" after our separation has been rocky at best. We rarely went out just the three of us -- I think I can count two birthdays of the Star and one movie and that's it. We would also get into each other's throats with our passive-aggressive texts (or was it just me? anywayyyyy).<br />
<br />
I think with number 5 above, whatever resentment and contempt that I felt for him also went away. I felt a certain "lightness" between us after we talked. And I do want that of course, since he is the father of my daughter, and I really do not want to spend the rest of my life having such negative relations with him. I just want some good vibes, man, you know, no more BV :)<br />
<br />
Again, thank you Dar for listening to me that night. I hope you have my back when push comes to shove :) [Dar, learn more idioms okay? ;)]missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-72073560861244406212012-08-12T23:04:00.001+08:002012-08-12T23:08:02.157+08:0010 Things I Learned During The Torrential Rains Which Must Not Be Named<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSMcHVCqFPQ/UCdvIEFU-II/AAAAAAAAAqs/XhaMJ8waDqo/s1600/200236712-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSMcHVCqFPQ/UCdvIEFU-II/AAAAAAAAAqs/XhaMJ8waDqo/s1600/200236712-001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/rain-falling-on-ground-royalty-free-image/200236712-001">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In between checking the flood water level outside our house (it only went as far as the garage thank gods) and checking my social media networks for news regarding the torrential rains which shall not be named, I had a little time to catch up on news and events all over the intarnets and some introspection while the Star and I were stuck at home for three days.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>1) I have unexplained feels for Ryan Lochte.</b><br />
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Have you seen his Twitter account? Have you seen those ridiculous neon green trainers? How about the grills? Have you heard of the #jeah catchprase? Well here's <a href="http://www.complex.com/style/2012/08/ryan-lochtes-guide-to-looking-like-an-olympic-douchebag/">Ryan Lochte's Guide To Looking Like An Olympic Douchebag</a> to learn more about his douchebaggery.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czfJnI1Lxn0/UCeSJu9hIII/AAAAAAAAAq8/lGoGA_-OYzQ/s1600/ryanlochte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-czfJnI1Lxn0/UCeSJu9hIII/AAAAAAAAAq8/lGoGA_-OYzQ/s1600/ryanlochte.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://celebritiespointing.tumblr.com/post/28714743009">Source</a></td></tr>
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But, I have seen and heard all that, but I must say, I cannot resist that wink and that boyish smile! I may have to agree with these <a href="http://jezebel.com/5931055/10-reasons-ryan-lochte-is-americas-sexiest-douchebag">10 Reasons Why Ryan Lochte is America's Sexiest Douchebag</a>.<br />
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<b>2) The Mars Curiosity Landing was all over my Twitter feed, but I'd like to be all over the Mohawk Guy.</b><br />
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We got a bad-ass over here.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2mSsBLgfr1Y/UCerkIR0-2I/AAAAAAAAArM/cFPp9Y0Ep9k/s1600/149874231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2mSsBLgfr1Y/UCerkIR0-2I/AAAAAAAAArM/cFPp9Y0Ep9k/s1600/149874231.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/">Source</a></td></tr>
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From the <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanlochte/status/227874351138099200">sexy Olympic douchebag who can't spell scissors</a>, to the adorkable NASA scientist who landed the Mars rover.<br />
<br />
Is it the mohawk? Is it the mohawk with the blue and red stripes? Is it the mohawk with the blue and red stripes and those yellow stars? Is it the mohawk with the blue and red stripes and those yellow stars on a NASA scientist?<br />
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Yes, <a href="http://fuckyeahbobakferdowsi.tumblr.com/">NASA needs more mohawks</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>3. McKayla is not impressed, you guys.</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDTBNhF8Km0/UCevwucwRzI/AAAAAAAAArc/ysH8FFuXl8k/s1600/149844909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qDTBNhF8Km0/UCevwucwRzI/AAAAAAAAArc/ysH8FFuXl8k/s1600/149844909.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm sure everyone knows the real reason for this photo already. <a href="http://mckaylaisnotimpressed.tumblr.com/">And that McKayla is pretty much not impressed with anything</a> (including Ryan and Bobak heee). But hey, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/11/mckayla-maroney-not-impressed-instagram_n_1768928.html">I'm impressed that McKayla is such a sport</a> :)<br />
<br />
<b>4) Jeremy Sisto is in an adorable sitcom called Suburgatory.</b><br />
<br />
Okay, so a rewatch of Clueless with the Star during our 3-day stay indoors reminded me of the existence of one Jeremy Sisto.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzNnxuqMHtY/UCe19ppXEaI/AAAAAAAAArs/83YQSeiPeRQ/s1600/tumblr_m7bck0lfix1rbpv56o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LzNnxuqMHtY/UCe19ppXEaI/AAAAAAAAArs/83YQSeiPeRQ/s1600/tumblr_m7bck0lfix1rbpv56o1_500.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://my90scrush.tumblr.com/post/27413606829">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Cute huh? But his character went all creepy and date-rape-y on Cher, but hey Jeremy's still cute right?<br />
<br />
So fast forward to 17 years later (yes, WE ARE THAT OLD ALREADY JFC CLUELESS WAS 17 YEARS AGO), and Jeremy "Rollin' with the Homies" Sisto is now playing a dad to a teenage girl in <a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/suburgatory">Suburgatory</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohPj9VQ8yyM/UCe3ujIEuKI/AAAAAAAAAr0/ktBVta0aSD0/s1600/suburgatory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohPj9VQ8yyM/UCe3ujIEuKI/AAAAAAAAAr0/ktBVta0aSD0/s400/suburgatory.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
I got the first season, and watched the first few eps, and I must say, it's adorable! I love the father-daughter relationship of George (played by Jeremy Sisto) and Tessa (played by Jane Levy). The George character is a complete opposite of all the creepy and psychotic characters that Jeremy Sisto usually plays, and I'm glad he didn't bring in any of that creepiness in the series. (<a href="http://www.avclub.com/articles/today-in-yes-really-suburgatorys-jeremy-sisto-rele,73603/">But he's seriously weird in real life LOL</a>)<br />
<br />
And the best thing ever about the series?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4YQAvk1xa8/UCe5oNJzxnI/AAAAAAAAAr8/zZbOR6sLom8/s1600/tumblr_m4govtECrN1qdbpolo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4YQAvk1xa8/UCe5oNJzxnI/AAAAAAAAAr8/zZbOR6sLom8/s320/tumblr_m4govtECrN1qdbpolo1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hell yeah, Alicia Silverstone guest-starred in a 4-episode story arc! I can't wait for those episodes to come up during my marathon watch!<br />
<br />
<b>5) Ely Buendia has fluffy hair.</b><br />
<br />
The things I notice when I only have the internet to amuse me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/N64Pql1hVcQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://rockersworld.com/">Karla Redor</a> for this video of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N64Pql1hVcQ">Ely singing Tikman during Ely's Greatest Hits Show</a> last August 3. I seriously want to do naughty things to Ely's hair. Gaaaaah. More pictures of Ely by Karla <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlaredor/sets/72157627569979243">here</a>!<br />
<br />
<b>6. Multiply is shutting down its social media platform.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I tend to miss tweets when I'm at work, so I'm glad I didn't miss this update from my timeline.<br />
<b><br /></b>
Thanks to Karla's tweet below:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
Just to clarify, multiply will continue to be an ecommerce site and the social networking part will be removed<br />
β Karla Vanessa (@karlaredor) <a data-datetime="2012-08-09T02:31:42+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/karlaredor/status/233390063873060864">August 9, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
and to this blog post <a href="http://abuggedlife.com/2012/08/09/bye-multiply-it-was-fun/">here</a>, we were assured that the online buying sites in Multiply will still remain. I'm not really worried about my blog posts and pictures there since the content in my Multiply site is from my blog here, and from my Flickr photostream. So essentially, I still have copies of everything. Sad about the comments though, will I be able to keep those?<br />
<br />
<b>7. I'm cool, according to this account:</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet tw-align-center">
<a href="https://twitter.com/missyosigirl"><s>@</s><b>missyosigirl</b></a> hi mrs. Darice's mum I think you're cool.<br />
β Harry Poddur (@sotrl) <a data-datetime="2012-08-06T14:34:51+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/sotrl/status/232484887083511810">August 6, 2012</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<b><br /></b>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><b>
8. Twitter noobs who abuse hash tags are not cool.</b><br />
<br />
Sorry if I'm offending you, but it's just a pet peeve. I use hash tags a lot too, but only for *emotional* tweets like while I'm watching my TV shows (yes, I get emotional over my TV shows).<br />
<br />
#Seriously #just #stop #hashtagging #everything. #Just #saying. #twitternoobs<br />
<br />
<b>9. I can survive almost 60 hours without a cigarette.</b><br />
<br />
Guess who smoked the last stick of her stash by Monday night, thinking she will still be able to buy cigarettes the next day?<br />
<br />
<b>10. A text can make all the difference.</b><br />
<br />
I knew the worst was over when I got that text :3<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
I'm not trying to make light of what happened during the torrential rains. I was seriously paranoid as hell as some of our neighbors from blocks away were already evacuating. But we had enough food and water, we still had electricity and the internet, and so I decided to stay and wait out the rain, and the floods, if ever they get into the house. We are one of the lucky ones, I know that for sure, and for that, we are eternally grateful :)<br />
<br />
And as for these ten things, they were part of our experience while we were stuck at home. I want to remember not only the fear and paranoia, but also the "good times" as well :)missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-64954711924894358062012-08-05T00:30:00.000+08:002012-08-05T00:30:00.362+08:00July Photos!Woot woot! Two months in a row, I was able to take and post pictures every. single. day. Yes, that would be quite an achievement for me as I have made numerous attempts in doing some-sorta-kinda Project 365 but I've been failing. But since I started last June, my goal has always been to just finish the month (and not think of the whole year yet), and it seems to be, for me, a better strategy :D<br />
<br />
So without further ado, here's my photos for July! [Click on the image for the Flickr set, and for more kuwento about the pictures :) ]<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shellanddar/sets/72157630868558952/"><img border="0" height="1200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P96Sbyf9PX8/UB0rke-6_GI/AAAAAAAAAqc/UN85dnUut4E/s1600/July.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
As I've mentioned in an earlier blog post, my phone is out of commission (for now), so I'm hoping (and crossing my fingers) that I'll still be able to continue my August photos. Ever since I got an iPhone, this project has been easier to do since I can take pictures while I'm out and about and I don't have to lug my dSLR. It's just frustrating that for August I decided to do the <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/here-it-is-photo-a-day-august-challenge-list/">August Photo a Day Challenge</a> by <a href="http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/">FatMumSlim</a> and my phone is brokinated :(<br />
<br />
Cheers to a jolly July, and to an awesome August to everyone!missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353607.post-81372580104335838952012-08-04T21:11:00.000+08:002012-08-04T21:25:29.312+08:00If money grew on trees...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ccg297Y-jLI/UBp51IctT6I/AAAAAAAAApE/hQLIJHdzSMU/s1600/money+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ccg297Y-jLI/UBp51IctT6I/AAAAAAAAApE/hQLIJHdzSMU/s1600/money+tree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://howtogetmoneyquick.blogspot.com/2007/09/money-tree.html">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
... and I have an orchard of these trees, I would like to:<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Buy all the <a href="http://www.artemisfowl.com/">Artemis Fowl</a> books.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuY8nmza1pI/UB0RVIHF8MI/AAAAAAAAApc/6MoyCvysh_Q/s1600/artemisbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuY8nmza1pI/UB0RVIHF8MI/AAAAAAAAApc/6MoyCvysh_Q/s640/artemisbooks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Artemis Fowl is a genius, and I ship him with the Star, LOL. He's a criminal mastermind at age 12 (!!!) and singularly discovered the fairy world to build his fortune. But this crafty kid has a heart of gold (that's why I like him -- a bad-ass with a heart of gold), and the books are all about his adventures with the fairies and his struggles in being the "good guy".<br />
<br />
The last book is out, and it's time for me to build my collection. Oh, and yeah, read all 8 books as well.<br />
<br />
Other books I'd like to procure:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Alv3z-ujDIU/UB0RXjzMUHI/AAAAAAAAApk/ceZMj6DSOiw/s1600/otherbooks+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Alv3z-ujDIU/UB0RXjzMUHI/AAAAAAAAApk/ceZMj6DSOiw/s640/otherbooks+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kerismith.com/">This Is Not A Book and Finish This Book by Keri Smith</a>; <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Undecorate-No-Rules-Approach-Interior-Design/dp/030746315X">Undecorate by Christiane Lemieux</a>; all of the <a href="http://listography.com/">Listography books</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Keri Smith's books are the best! I have This is Not a Journal already and I loved loved loved it. But I haven't done any of the prompts there yet though -- I'd like to fill it out on a trip (the prompts are awesome!). Same with the Listography books -- I think it would be better to write on them while travelling, like a journal! As for Undecorate -- I'm into house decor and design lately, and I think the design principles in the book closely matches mine :D<br />
<br />
Speaking of books, the only experience (I think) that the Star and I are missing as a Harry Potter fans (as we have all 7 books, all 8 DVDs, all supplementary books [like Tales of Beedle the Bard], Page to Screen and Film Wizardry, and a Pottermore account) is to experience first-hand the world of Harry Potter.<br />
<br />
The nearest thing would be to go to Singapore, stay a night (or two) in Marina Bay Sands, and see the Harry Potter Exhibit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crlAip7B13A/UB0SCYpTMuI/AAAAAAAAAqM/oAIfa7666Q4/s1600/harrypotterexhibition+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crlAip7B13A/UB0SCYpTMuI/AAAAAAAAAqM/oAIfa7666Q4/s640/harrypotterexhibition+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But why be satisfied with just an exhibit? I do have a money orchard right? Why not go all the way to Florida for the <a href="http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/">Wizarding World of Harry Potter</a>?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw_2G25XZQ4/UB0R9tOT9YI/AAAAAAAAAp8/CYKGvY2SqrQ/s1600/WWHP+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aw_2G25XZQ4/UB0R9tOT9YI/AAAAAAAAAp8/CYKGvY2SqrQ/s640/WWHP+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/">scottrsmith</a> from his <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/sets/72157624352232203/">awesome WWHP set</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Oh god, we can spend DAAAAAAAAAAYS there I'm sure. Butterbeer, Diagon Alley, Hogwarts... aaaack! Dream come true for us Harry Potter fans :D<br />
<br />
Speaking of awesome books made into movies, one other place I'd like to see is Hobbiton.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bginRSQ88Dg/UB0SAuqmLjI/AAAAAAAAAqE/OBahsuhKwqs/s1600/HOBBITON+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bginRSQ88Dg/UB0SAuqmLjI/AAAAAAAAAqE/OBahsuhKwqs/s640/HOBBITON+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I loved the books, I loved the movies, and I'm sure Hobbiton will make all my Hobbit dreams come true! (I have hobbit dreams?!? Okay, moving on.)<br />
<br />
The best way to capture all our adventures in WWHP and Hobbiton then would be to deck out my iPhone. (Yes, I'm trying to connect everything here)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLEDQ5_mEDw/UB0RaeQSR_I/AAAAAAAAAps/3SpBgVjid-s/s1600/iphone+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cLEDQ5_mEDw/UB0RaeQSR_I/AAAAAAAAAps/3SpBgVjid-s/s640/iphone+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/holga-iphone-lens">Holga Lens & Filters</a> and <a href="http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/holga-iphone-lens">Lens Set</a> from Photojojo;<br />
<a href="http://www.threadless.com/">iPhone Cases from Threadless</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My iPhone is now drying its ass off in a pack of rice, so I really hope it will work after a day or two :( Anyhoo, methinks there might be an app which can already do what the Holga Lens & Filters can do, but hey, it will look cool covering my phone. And hello, lens set and wallet! Everything you need to convert your iPhone into your camera of choice (good-bye dSLR?). And seriously, how cute are those cases? Threadless makes the best shirts, and now, some of the designs can be on your phone as well!<br />
<br />
Speaking of Threadless shirts (toldja I can and will ~connect everything hihihi), how cool are the <a href="http://www.threadless.com/product/3901/The_Day_The_Saucers_Came_4_Pack/tab,guys/style,fourpack">The Day The Saucers Came shirts</a>?!?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RA7qeVrTAGg/UB0R7tyy4kI/AAAAAAAAAp0/pb3dLtL_BiA/s1600/TEES+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RA7qeVrTAGg/UB0R7tyy4kI/AAAAAAAAAp0/pb3dLtL_BiA/s640/TEES+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Day The Saucers Came is a poem by Neil Gaiman from Fragile Things. It's a love story during the end of the world. Or it can also be about paying attention to the world around you. Ohmygods, <a href="http://neverwear.net/store/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=27">just read it</a>. Or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guGfdGZGFnI">watch and listen to Neil Gaiman read it</a>. Love love love.<br />
<br />
Why the Kris Allen shirt in there? I love Kris Allen. Shut up.<br />
<br />
And what are new shirts without new shoes?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zadSE9iIUg/UB0RR2YqllI/AAAAAAAAApU/06EGCoKYX4Y/s1600/anthos+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zadSE9iIUg/UB0RR2YqllI/AAAAAAAAApU/06EGCoKYX4Y/s640/anthos+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I am smitten with <a href="http://anthologyshoes.com/">Anthology Shoes</a>. Seriously. I have three pairs, and they are the comfiest things ever. And they have my size [sometimes :( I know I know I have large feet]! These five shoes are just the ones I'm hankering to buy right now. But if the money orchard is a reality, I would buy every pair they have in their site, in every color.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And so ends my daydreaming. *Sigh* We did get something ~extra at work recently, but all of it will go to bills and debt payments, and I can spare only a little extra to buy stuff for the house.<br />
<br />
Well, at least that will still garner a shopping trip. Heh.missyosigirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15371429462223697610noreply@blogger.com0