Of High Hopes and Faded Dreams

Although it doesn't fit me,I still bought this floral dress in the hope that someday I'd be able to make a dress or a top out of it. I love the design so much,well I love anything floral,but this one is something different. I got this dress from a thrift store but it was a new dress,it even had a price tag when I bought it. I detached the top from the bottom using a makeshift seam ripper. After that, I took the sleeves off the top by still using the makeshift seam ripper. I folded the bottom part of the dress as that part should not be used unless it's for a DIY of something grand. When we arrived in this apartment,we only had one big and wide curtain. There's a window beside the door and the sun's 3PM rays pierce through the window pane which is not good for our TV set. I can't think of any thing to cover the window pane but the floral fabric which I set aside for future use. I made a mental note to buy a new fabric to use as a makeshift curtain and replace the floral fabric. But lo and behold, almost two years in this apartment and it is still being used as a curtain. The fabric is no longer as 'lively' as the first time I saw it,rather it is now a little faded.Time to just let it be. :)

Coffee Break---Not!

I am currently on a semestral break from school.School's out for a couple of weeks! Yehey! So much time,so little to do! In this connection, I thought of taking a break from coffee. Lately, I realized that I have been drinking more cups of coffee compared to my usual two cups a day. Usually, I only drink coffee right after I wake up and after I eat my supper. Since this path I'm taking is requiring so much of my time, I have to do something to keep me awake for more than twenty hours. This more than twenty hours of waking day also include hours of tweeting and pinning and lurking and stalking and procrastinating and watching tv. So from two cups of coffee I was up to four cups. I drink once I wake up, after I eat my brunch,once I arrive in school and after supper. Sometimes it goes up to six cups whenever I feel the need. This, I think, is the main reason why I sometimes catch myself zoning out from the class discussion and sometimes I wake up feeling restless because I thought I was somewhere else.Coffee triggers sleep disorder! So there,I planned on not having coffee and drink milk instead for the whole semestral break.The plan took off on Saturday and ended the next day! HAHAHA What a failed attempt! And this is what prompted me to abort the plan:I dozed off while I was attending the Sunday's mass.I don't want the same thing to happen again while I'm in public places. Someone might catch me doing that,take a picture and upload it somewhere. That will be so embarrassing! HAHAHAHA I couldn't live without coffee in my system! Yes I can live a day without it but not longer than that! Milk is now stricken off my grocery list. I'll try again next time. :)

Happy Sembreak, everyone!!!

HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI HOMECOMING

High school alumni homecoming is one of the things I look forward to every year. Although at many times personal circumstances didn’t allow my attendance to the said event, I still feel that, by looking through pictures posted by batch mates in social networking sites, it more than enough transports me to the time when we were still in high school. Physical attributes may have changed a bit, but the smiles and antics are still there, all too familiar from each and every person I see on the photo.

This year, our batch turned ten from the year we graduated in high school. Yes, we have reached that far! Fifteen years more to go and we’ll be hosting the homecoming! Yikes! Hosting such event is so big a responsibility I can’t imagine how we’d do it! Our tenth year from graduation prompted me to attend this year’s homecoming. I thought, after my last attendance in 2009, it’s time to reconnect with my high school again and just be young, wild and free. Chos! Never was a time that I didn’t enjoy any previous homecoming. It was always loaded with fun, laughter, antics, bantering, ‘chismis’ and booze, and shared with the homegrown friends.

But this year’s quite different. I’d like to say that this is the first homecoming where nary a hint of boredom was felt. No one thought of ‘change venue’ because we had a super great time! Whoever from the host batch 1987 who thought of inviting The Bloomfields to entertain us for the rest of the fellowship night should be given a warm resounding round of applause from all of us. I am not kidding. He/She deserves it. Of course, we also have to thank the host batch as a whole, because if not for the cooperation of each and everyone, they would not had been able to come up with a bigger budget and we would not had been able to have The Bloomfields there. In hindsight, their scrimping on food was okay because it was compensated with a great band and six thousand bottles of beer. Thank you SNC HS Batch 1987, The Bloomfields and San Miguel Brewery.

The Bloomfields

We went up and down the stage a number of times and I always had a hard time going down because of my 4-inch heels! Mirisi LOL

And at times I couldn't take it anymore I took off my shoes and danced barefoot. LOL

After the fellowship,we decided to go to our batchmate's bar but it was jam-packed so we just sat down on the other side of the road. Homegrown inom,with the motorboats and sea as backdrop.

We went on to finish the case of beer that we managed to sneak out of the venue while others went to buy every Surigaonon's favorite: barbecue sa Pier

Beer has taken over my sense of balance that I kept on leaning on my friend's shoulder. Pagkabug-at na uyo!Apil lawas! HAHAHA

Beer has finally took over and had me feeding the fish very early! HAHAHA 'Lex,gunita ako kamot kay basin matabog ako sa dagat.' HAHAHA Thank you everyone for the super great weekend. See you next year!

I'm still here!

I've been very busy lately. Would you believe that? NO. I know, I know. You'd think 'Hey,she floods my timeline with her tweets and yet she's very busy?!' Yes,I'm very busy, very busy with Twitter! I start my day with Twitter and end my day with Twitter. That's how busy I am lately. LOL Seriously,although I am visible in Twitter, the past three months have been a roller-coaster ride for me. Some unforeseen circumstances happened that resulted in changing my plans and schedules. What was supposed to be my one-week vacation in Surigao was extended for a month because my maternal grandmother was hospitalized the week I was supposed to go back to Cebu. And a lot more things happened aside from that. That is why I have not been blogging (naks,feeling blogger!)lately. So pardon me for flooding your Twitter timeline with my rants about my neighbors,the apartment,what I've been eating and any random stuff I could think. It was my way of connecting with the rest of the world and most importantly,my way of documenting and remembering the things I did and what I felt on those days so I can use it for future reference. Yes,I have a planner where I can write all these, but mas feel ko magpapansin sa Twitter. Followers be damned! HAHA. Joke. So tonight, I'll try to remember things that happened for the last couple of months that are worthy of a blog post. Stay tuned!

Confessions of a Pack-Rat

The family is coming next week for my sister's college graduation. We (I,most of the time)have been cleaning the apartment since I arrived days ago. Not every nook and cranny has been touched but we are getting there. Aside from the bench which I transferred from my room to the dining area,we have not moved any furniture yet. We live in a tiny apartment, so rearranging the bed,the table and the shelves entails a lot of planning. It's starting to give me stress!

I'm done with the kitchen area,it is now clean according to my standards. I have cleaned the toilet and bath too,but I'll get back to it before the family arrives. I'm now on to my art and craft boxes and guess what I realized( as if I still don't know about this)? I'm such a pack-rat! I have kept every little thing I think I could still use but I have not use up to now.Tissue paper roll,cereal boxes,tin cans,expired make-ups,dried-up nail polish.You name it,I have it. I did not know I have accumulated a lot of those things I previously mentioned. I mean,yes I can still make something useful out of those tissue paper roll,tin cans and what have you, but I don't think I could use all of it in one project. And I don't think I have all the time in the world to do all those projects. This is now the result of subscribing to every art and craft site that I bumped into.

I don't know what will become of this pack-rat attitude, but I do hope this tiny apartment will not turn into a house of trash.


ps. I have only started cleaning my art and craft boxes and I am yet to start on my book shelves so expect me to have a part two of this confession. :p

A couple of weeks ago,I went out to see the gummybears. What was supposed to be a short meeting in a coffee shop inside a mall turned out to be too short we ended up transferring to a different venue where we looked for food and eventually settled until the wee hours.We had so much to talk about,their recently concluded 10-day SEA vacation,our other friends Bambi and Kylie's vacation from work in Singapore,our other friends and any random topic we could think of but alas,we were so sleepy and George has still work to do so we called it a night.

I thought that I'd be able to sleep the moment I arrived in the apartment but no,I wasn't able to enter until an hour and lots of mosquito bites later!

I knocked on the door and called on my sister from the window but she wasn't responding.I tried calling her but her phone's unattended,I can't seem to get connected.I was almost on a panic mode when I realized the need to pee,but I managed to hold it longer.I knew she had duty on that day so she's supposed to be on her way to school before 6 o'clock. It was already three o'clock in the morning when I arrived. I figured that I only have an hour or so to wait since she's usually up by four o'clock.

nagkuris-kuris nalang intawn ang bata aron malingaw.

-

Moral of the Story: Uli sayo,sayo's buntag! HAHAHA

DIY Ring Box

I've been going around the city for months now looking for a ring box where I can store my fancy rings and yet I haven't seen one that is for sale.I thought of making my own ring box but I didn't have a smaller box. What I have are shoe boxes that are too big and does not have the aesthetic value for a ring box.

Last Saturday,after we had lunch with our Cebu friends,I tagged along with Bambi and Kylie to their grocery shopping for stuff to bring back to Singapore.The nyors are so generous, they gave me a box of chocolate and a tub of pistachio ice cream .

On Monday,while eating lunch alone,I remembered the box of chocolate that I put in the fridge.I took it out and ate one bar.I realized it was not a good idea to put the chocolate inside the fridge as it becomes so hard to bite into, my teeth are complaining.I transferred them to a glass jar and left the box on the table thinking I could still use or do something about it. When I returned to the kitchen hours after to wash the dishes,I examined the box again and jumped out of excitement with the DIY project thought that came to mind.



That is the right one for my ring box!



Want to see the outcome? Say please! HAHAHA



Here it is,my ring box made from a chocolate box!

Can you see the brand name?Can you guess what chocolate box is that? :)
It's not yet 100% done.I ran out of double-sided tape and I haven't had the time to go out and buy one. :D Nevertheless,I'm already happy the way the DIY turned out.I'm so proud of myself! Naturaaaaal!

Want to know how I did it? Here's how.

1.Have your materials ready first.

2.Measure the height of the box.Cut a paper that is of the same measurement of the height.Set aside.

3.Decide on where you would want to make a cut on the box.Take the measurements,draw a line and slice through it using a cutter.(By this time,the box is cut into two,the top part which would be the cover should be smaller than the bottom part.)

4.Paste the paper(from instruction #2 )on the inner sides of the box.This will help keep the top part/cover of the box from falling.

5.Cover the bottom part of the box with a gift wrapper of your choice.

6.If you want to have a window on your ring box,draw a rectangle and slice through it with a cutter. (I was lucky the box that I used had its top part open so it saved me more time and effort.) If you like to keep your box 'closed' ,then it'll save you time and effort too! :D

7. Once you have the 'window' ,trace and cut an acetate that is bigger than the window's size. Seal the acetate and the box together from the inside with the help of the double-sided tape.

8.Cover the top/cover with the wrapper of your choice.

9.Take the measurement of the styropor.Trace a cutter through it.This is going to be the part of the ring box that will secure the rings. Wrap it with a fabric of your choice or whatever you fancy.I cheated on this part.HAHA.I didn't know how to make it look and function like normal ring boxes do and I was already too tired from figuring it out I wanted it to finish soon.What I did was I covered the styropor with a fabric and traced/sliced through the covered styropor 3 lines that will serve to secure the rings. Good thing I was using a pin-stripe design fabric,so it was easier to 'trace' a line. HAHA.

Materials

box
styropor
acetate
gift wrapper
paper
fabric
double-sided tape
glue
cutter
scissors
ruler
pencil


I hope you learned something from this DIY.I had so much fun from doing it albeit the tedious effort of taking the closest-thing-to-perfect measurements.And,by the way,the box was from my good ol' trusted Cloud Nine chocolate of Jack'nJill.

Definitely,I am on cloud nine. :)

My planner and I

This is my 2012 planner,my watermelon Handy Dandy planner,the brainchild of Oh Snap & Co. AND my FIRST ever Multiply purchase! :D Isn't it cute? A watermelon cover page for a planner. It's giving me a summer all-year long vibe!I can't wait to write down my plans for the coming months.I can't wait to fill this out with thoughts of beautiful and/or defining moments/people.And I can't wait to doodle too! I'm claiming it,owning it!My planner and I will make beautiful memories together this year! :)

Now,allow me to take this opportunity also to bid adieu to my constant companion last year.My Starbucks Coffee 2011 planner was with me where ever I went to: it too was soaked with rain water when I braved the heavy rain on the day before Sinulog;when I went to CDO,Zamboanga,Dumaguete,CDO and a number of visits at home;it became a repository of tickets that I accumulated from the places I went to,even that of a public restroom ticket that I got in Zamboanga; websites that I visited and would want to visit again;books that I would want to have someday; museums that I'd hope to visit in the coming years;restaurants to try,recipes I'd like to whip out in the kitchen;articles written in PDI that I would want to read again;floor plans of tiny places that I wish to follow in the future;I even scribbled down expiry dates whenever I buy bread to help me remember! haha Seriously,most of my to-dos and plans were not realized last year mainly because I did not do something about it. I was the worst procrastinator last year and I wish to leave that ugly thing behind me now.It's time to close 2011.You may rest now,Starbucks Coffee planner 2011.Thank you for the year that was.

Get ready,my watermelon planner! :D

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!!!

Your Tongue-in-Cheek Guide to Sinulog

An article about where to stay,where to dine and what to do when in Cebu for Sinulog came out of my favorite newspaper last Saturday. While the article was informative,it does not apply to the majority of people whose purpose of going to Sinulog is to experience that one big street party that it is known for.So I thought of writing my own version of where-to and what-to.This is based on personal experience, so allow me to indulge. :)

WHAT TO DO

Let me correct myself there.Most people come here to honor and pray to Sto.Nino.They are the devotees and pilgrims who will brave the thick crowd,not minding if it's chest to chest,nose to nose,(we were always just that close.haha) just to get a glimpse or be near the Sto.Nino.But a lot also come here to party.Theyr're the ones who wouldn't mind sitting on the gutter or on the sidewalk,with a plastic glass full of beer or any alcohol mix in one hand or those whose faces are covered with paint ,with one hand holding a bottle of beer of which that same hand is raised on mid-air while dancing to the beat of the Sinulog drums.That's why I think it's important to know first what is your purpose of coming here for Sinulog.If you're here solely for the Sto. Nino,then I don't think I'd be of help. I have not attended a novena mass nor attended the high mass on Sunday,never been to the fluvial procession which happens on the day before that and counter-flowing a procession in the afternoon of Saturday does not count either.But if you're here to get drunk and throw up in the streets then you may continue reading.

WHERE TO STAY
It's only a few days more before Sinulog and I don't think you'd have an easy time finding a hotel or pension house to stay at this time.Most are fully booked by now.Where to stay should be thought of months before.Not to worry though, for Lapu-Lapu City has more hotels and places to offer.That may be far from the center of Sinulog,but you wouldn't mind,would you? HAHAHA If you have friends or relatives who live here, you can ask them if you could crash their place for the weekend.If they say yes,don't forget to bring them something. :) By the way,a DOT personnel was interviewed by a local tv news here yesterday.She said that it's okay to check in motels for it is as safe as checking in hotels. It is cheaper also and is more practical considering that you only pay for the few hours that you get to stay there.And besides,you don't need a lot of sleeping when it's Sinulog. You're at the streets partying most of the time. HAHA


WHERE TO DINE
It'd be easy to say Casa Verde since the main branch is also near the epicenter of the street party, but the streets on Sinulog Sunday have got so much to offer that you'd have a hard time deciding which one to pick. HAHA. Seriously,the whole strip of Gen.Maxilom Ave. and Jones Ave. will be lined with food stalls,some are from known names or brands but you should check out those you barely know for they also sell tasty food.Just make sure that it is clean.You will know how clean they are by checking how clean and organized their stall is,the utensils they use and how they prepare the food. If in doubt,don't eat! You may opt to bring your own sandwich or trail mix,something you can munch on when the tummy complains.


WHAT TO WEAR
You will be walking most of the time,so please wear whatever you are most comfortable with.You'll be at high risk of getting stepped on,so wear some closed shoes.Wearing shorts is okay but keep an eye on 'drunk' people.This is not the best time to strut your stuff.Leave your expensive jewelry at home.Don't bring a lot of cash and keep an eye on your valuables.Your bag should be stashed with wet wipes, tissue, alcohol and extra t-shirt(secure in ziploc) in case some dudes will shower rain beer bottles. HAHAHA There's going to be a long cue in restrooms so practice how to hold it longer.HAHA


Remember that although your purpose here is to have a good time there'd be a few who would spoil it.Keep your cool and it's better to go with a group so you can keep an eye on each other.One big street party that is Sinulog only happens once a year. So go out and take yourself to the streets.You will have the rest of the year to chill and lounge. :)

If you don't want to get down and dirty,adto nalang kas coffee shop magtambay. Pag order ug kape,maulaw sad ka.Picture2x dayon para naa kay ma-post sa Facebook nga 'Me in Sinulog' nya nas sulod sa coffee shop. HAHAHAHA


Pit Senyor!


for a more serious guide to surviving Sinulog visit wearesolesisters.com

photo courtesy of wheretheblog.wordpress.com