Catching-up blog post

Yay, finally a blogpost after some time!

In case you are wondering why I haven't been posting lately, here's the deal...

Senior year has been a tough one, busy schedules, lots of meetings and beating the deadlines plus savoring the last moments as a student so for a while, I placed all my time at school. Then come the sembreak and holidays, I've been busy with thesis and some gatherings so you pretty much get to picture how busy I am now, do you?

2011 was indeed busy, but 2012 won't let 2011 win just like that, earlier this year was all about cramming final requirements for (drumroll please?) the much-awaited graduation. Yes, Ma'am and Sir, I graduated last March. Part of the reason why I had to take a leave on leisure-writing.

But here's a secret, I drafted a lot of posts for 2011 and all the whiles I was M.I.A., because I believe being busy means having an eventful life and having an eventful life means having several photos, moments, insights and stories to share. I would love to blog about those. I haven't finished everything since I have to delete those drafts, but I am working on it now. I even planned to have a 366 project but I failed to, so I ended up just drafting posts whenever I can. I know I owe you several posts from summer 2011 to June 2012, but it doesn't matter for I am back.

Supposedly, I am about to launch my return last April but Blogger won't allow me, I got an e-mail saying my blog would be terminated and or deleted if I don't migrate my account to Google. It was truly frustrating because I tried my might to migrate my account but it won't just let me. However, I knew I already migrated years ago so I was wondering why I still received that e-mail. For a while, I mulled about it over Twitter because I thought that it will be the end of this blog and that's one thing that's really hard to accept. I even migrated my posts on Tumblr because there was already a deadline, May 29. I gave up trying to migrate and just accepted that I will mourn by the end of May because my 7-year-old blog will die and I can't do anything about it.

Although I was upset for a while, I'm glad that my fear didn't happen. I can now re-write those drafts I deleted and fill you in with some stories from 2011 to the present (may not be chronological anymore but I will try).

From time-to-time, expect some changes, because this blog may turn into a food blog, travel blog, fashion blog and etc with book reviews, film reviews, musical and literary posts in short a LIFESTYLE BLOG. I'd like this to be versatile this time, containing all my interests, adventures and misadventures.

Prepare to be flooded  with my posts for I have a lot of catching up to do. Remember, you were warned.

Thank you for reading!

The Banchetto Experience

May 2011 drafted post:

(Appetizer- Miso Soup)

(Main Course- Twistix, Roastbeef with rice)

(Street Food- Betamax and Isaw or Chicken Intestines)

All of these for as low as 200 php.

CLOSING TIME

I can still remember the past two December 31s I’ve spent in front of my laptop doing my year-end blog posts and yet here I am again doing another. I guess time passed by so quickly.

We are once again on the last page of the calendar, crossing out the last date of the year, and in a few, we’ll be turning the page and replace our old calendar with a new one to give way for 2-0-1-2.

My 2011 was bittersweet and very challenging. Along the way, it thought me these six words: “You win some, you lose some.”

To reminisce the year that was here’s a recap of the past 12 months, some I wish to forget and some I will always treasure:

January- My month. Good times rolled: My 20th birthday, A start of the new decade, our clan reunion, Quadricentennial celebration of UST. I got a gift: Amazon Kindle. What a great start of the year.

February- Nothing much I can remember except that I counted about 400 people holding bouquet of roses on Valentine’s day. Of course, with a friend. (Lame I know, but entertaining. ;)) P.S. I was able to watch Sugarfree perform live before they disbanded, Yay! Thank you, Arki! I love that band so much. <3

March- End of my 3rd year in UST. This was also the month I started my OJT for broadcast on ABS-CBN foundation. Met new people there, was able to work with them with F-U-N. (I kinda miss ELJ building now! *sobs*) Also the shoots we’ve had for PhotoJRN and Artapp docu.

April- Oh, I love this month! Everyday OJT. Holy week. Swimming. Maginhawa St. foodtrip. My almost-Bruno Mars encounter on our office. And most definitely, The Script concert! <3

May- After some OJT hunting, landed to another internship, this time in print at the Journal group of Publication (People’s Journal and People’s tonight.) I loved my beat CAMANAVA where I met my journmates who eventually became my friends. What’s even more great about the experience was that I got published. Won’t forget our Makati day-outs and the afternoons and evenings I spent at Padre Noval St. as well.

June- SWEET month. Start of the 1st semester which meant it was also the start of my last year in UST. Everything sweet. Can we just replay this month? :)

July- HELLUVAH. Not my month obviously, lost a phone. Something happy? Cinemalaya goes to UP (Edgar Allan :”>), NBA all-star game at the Big Dome and my Galaxy Tab.

August- Rock and roll month! 4JRN3’s Wendy’s Baconator foodtrip. The play William. Viaje Tomasino concert. New Phone. AB Himigsikan. God, the fangirl in me… Kean Cipriano! <3

September- I only remember Ghe’s 20th birthday at The French Baker, MMJ and Belavers’ anniversary.

October- Two dear friends left for the US, Lyka and Maxine (I miss them.) Lost another phone (I guess I failed to prove that I’m not Ladyluckgazette right there.) End of a hellish sem but thankful I passed. :D Sembreak. Mario Maurer’s fancon.

November- Second sem! Thesis face on. 11/11/11. Ocean park and Taft visits. Grad pictorial. Got my BB.<3

December- Christmas spirit! Lovely memories: Gawad Ustetika Awards Night. 3-day retreat at Calaruega, My block’s Christmas party, Pre-paskuhan, Paskuhan and Family’s Christmas plus New year’s eve.

Of course, I may have forgotten to mention a lot more events or I intended not to mention them but it doesn’t matter anymore, I’m all ready to leave them behind. I’m thankful for the people who stayed with me however difficult I was. Those who shared the pains and joy of 2011 with me, a meaningful thank you for you. I really love you! I also experienced a lot of kick-ass moments, most of them first time to happen so it has been an adventurous journey. I’m grateful for the year that was, even if it caused me some pain in the middle. So many things to let go of and I tell you, boy was it hard, but I still learned from it. Like they said, ‘you win some, you lose some.’ All I know is that I, You, We, should be thankful that we’re survivors of 2011. Congrats! Here’s a pat on your back.

Now it’s time to sing this song by Semisonic… ‘Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end…’

Happy new year! Wishing you a better and worry-free 2012. Screw the thought of the world coming to an end this year. 2012 is all about moving forward. Let’s just have fun and let the good times roll for the next 366 days. Cheers to 2012! Cyberhugs everyone! >:D<

(Originally posted: December 31, 2011)

Eyesight

And though it was a sad affair
You just couldn't care
All you could think about was letting go

I wish that I could see the world thru your eyes
I wish that I could see the world thru your eyes
I wish that I could see the world thru your eyes
I wish that I could see

-20/20, Pupil

(Credits to Joanna Conde for the photo)

Mark Twain

Yesterday, November 30, this was on Google as the world celebrates Samuel Langhorne Clemens a.k.a. Mark Twain's birthday. And I am reminded of a friend who's really a big fan of him but no, I'm not going to blog about that.

I just thought that it's cute how Google logo reminds us of events with their artsy tribute or whatnot and it left me wondering who are the people behind those themed logos. Random thoughts. Happy birthday, Mark Twain!

We thank you for The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Today is December 1, the end of the year begins. I'd just like you to know. Nothing parallel to Mr. Twain.

Is it really me?

What do you think?

I took a psychological test and here goes the results:

Warm

You have a genuine interest in other people. You're a natural host, and are always thinking about how you can increase the happiness of those around you. When friends have problems or are in trouble, you're usually the first person they turn to for aid and comfort. Scoring high on the "warm" trait suggests that you are among those who enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't always say exactly what you're thinking; you don't like the idea of causing anyone pain because of your criticism.

Understanding

You are willing to take the time to find out what's going on with other people, especially if they're in distress. You're a good listener, you don't criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it's requested. With a high score on the "understanding" trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.
You don't feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.

Empathetic

You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others.
You don't buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else's because unless you're happy you're incapable of making anyone else happy.

Passionate

You are in touch with your emotions, and sometimes you react before you think. The good news: you don't tamp down your feelings. The bad news: you sometimes say or do things that you later wish you could take back.
You do not live your life on an even keel; you do not go for long periods without experiencing some mood swings.

Curious

You like to get to the bottom of things. You're not content knowing what someone did; you want to know why they did it.
You don't simply take things as they are and move on; you're not content skimming along on the surface; you don't feel you're wasting time by digging for the meaning of things.

Friendly

You would rather hang out with others than spend time alone, and you'd far rather be doing something with your friends than just sitting around. You're happy in a crowded room, club, stadium, or auditorium.
You're not a private person who is ill at ease in a group; you don't view excessive socializing as a waste of time.

Tender

You are gentle with others, both physically and emotionally. You are careful not to upset people and go out of your way to find the nicest way to say something. You naturally focus on the fact that the world is full of wonderful people, places, and things. More often than not, people with a high score on the "tender" trait enjoy spending time with children, love romantic movies, and are enthusiastic about making the world a better place.
You don't think of yourself as tough-minded or gruff, nor do you need to be seen as some kind of objective source of truth and rationality.

Innovative

You come up with a lot of ideas; if one doesn't work out, there's always another waiting in the wings. You often have interesting solutions to difficult problems. You're practically a one-person brainstorming session.
You are less interested changing the world than in dealing with things as they are. Unlike those who spend all their time trying to solve problems, you prefer to zero in on things that work and stick with them.

Sympathetic

You have a knack for knowing what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around you, without their having to tell you explicitly. People tend to turn to you with their problems because they know you care, and that you will likely offer good advice and a helping hand.
You do not feel that people with sad stories are just looking for attention, or have brought their problems upon themselves.

Original

You are constantly coming up with new ideas. For you, the world as it exists is just a jumping-off place; what's going on inside your mind is often more interesting than what's going on outside.
You don't feel that the road to success is to be a realist and stick to the program; you never stop yourself from coming up with new ideas or telling the world what you're thinking about.

Do you agree with the results? Tell me about it. I would love to hear from you.

Take the test and know yourself more! http://psychcentral.com/personality-patterns/

Warning: Killer Exams Ahead

Say hello to my review props! These are my reading materials for my Literary Criticism Exam. Actually, aside from this, I got a lot of exams to battle this Prelim week: Ethics. BroadJrn. Land reform and Taxation. So I really need to read, read, read and STUDY. I have to focus and fight with my sleepy head. My brain will be exhausted, I know, but it's all good, even if I'm busy with a lot of things there are still several reasons keeping me sane. There's still writing and you, right?

I just updated this blog to tell you I am busy but this blog is still alive and the 'blogger' is undergoing a lot of pressure right now and will make it up to you next time.