Monday started off with an overtime for a deck that we've been working on for a client. We wanted to polish it for Friday's presentation and I'm so glad that we made it and they also liked the additional things we added for the event styling at the last minute. It feels great to be able to understand and give the clients what they want.


By Wednesday, I was starting to feel a little slow because my cramps were already starting. I stayed in the office all day and hid in the studio because it felt comfortable to lay with my laptop on my tummy. The heat felt soooo good it made me want to hug my laptop for the rest of the day. Even if my uterus was being suicidal, I had to soldier up and meet up with my friends for dinner at Shang.

My friends are like pain relievers. I forgot that my cramps were killing me the whole day as soon as I saw them. I haven't seen Jacob and Joana in forever--kidding, we saw each other last December lol. Still, we're a pretty clingy bunch. We just laughed the whole time and spotted cute boys. I love my friends. Jacob had to leave pretty early because he has an early work the next day. After he left, we met up with Jo's parents at Planet Grapes for what is apparently a wine night. We had whatever they had and another round of Bad Boy wine for the both of us. It's no secret that I love wine, so, tonight was perfect--even if the cramps killed me a little.


I got one of the best news on Thursday when my friend showed me the photo of his marriage proposal ad that we've been working on for the past month. I was so excited because it's the first time one of my illustrations made internationally! The ad runs for a month in one of the subway stations in Korea. If you're there, please take a photo of it! Oh and she said, YES to my friend. Congratulations, Everett and Kat!

Somehow, I always look forward to Fridays (Even if Shiela hates it. Sorry, ILY.) because we found a new hang out place near Mercato. I call it Hunger Games Arena because it looks like a big round pit with concrete benches circling the area. Very Hunger Game-ish. It's where we can talk about random things and topics while eating or just sitting. Hoping to all the gods that they won't put a fence on it or whatever because it's a really cool place.


Finally got to watch Sing last Saturday! I dragged Eliza for a catch up and movie date because I still owe her lots of "stories". The movie kept me laughing the whole time! Loved he songs and had my pizza craving curbed as well. Whenever I see Eliza, I realize I miss my UST friends so much. It's been awhile since I saw all of them. I should invite them all for a little something, I'm just not sure when I'll be free or when they'll be free. Lol.

Til' next week!

This week's 52 Week Instax Project (52P) theme is Rule of Thirds and I've decided to take a photo of my trusty luggage, Polka. We've been together for almost 10 years! I'm planning to retire it this year but I don't know how I'm going to upcycle it. Do you guys have any recommendations for upcycling an old luggage or bag?

There will be a few trips lined up for me this year, and I’m so happy because the first one is only a couple of weeks away, and it’s to Bacolod, The City of Smiles! My mom is also happy; it’s the first time I’ll be seeing our new house there! Recently, I’ve been more appreciative of the times where I get to travel or fly alone to a different place. It makes me more alert and I get to appreciate the things I see along the way.


Whenever I travel to a place other than Manila, I usually bring my travel essentials. As much as possible, I try to keep them all in one bag so I could reach them whenever needed. So here are a few essentials for me in my travels:

1. Planner/Notebook - For my random thoughts and scribbles.
2. Passport - Since my drivers license is expired and I’m the laziest person when it comes to renewing it, so I bring my passport instead.
3. Card Case - For the cards that don’t fit my wallet anymore :\
4. Make Up Bag/Toiletry Bag - Where all my bathroom essentials are packed.
5. Wallet - Pretty self explanatory. Lol.
6. iPod Touch & Earpods - Because I can’t live without my music.
7. Phone - Essential for communication.
8. Instax Camera - For those random shots that you just gotta shoot instantly.
9. Eyebag concealer - My bags are the most annoying thing on earth, so I need this for life.
10. Lip Balm - Like my eyebags, dry lips annoy the shit out of me as well.
11. Sun Glasses - My eyes get irritated a lot with dust and the sun so, I need this baby for my eye protection.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I was supposed to do a year-end blog but decided against it after realizing how crappy my 2016 was. Much like others, 2016 for me was a year of disappointments and major heartbreak. It may not be the best year, nonetheless, it certainly taught me of who I am, how I want to be treated and what I want out of life. There is certainly a big room for improvement with how I want my life to go on, and how I want it to be, but it's about starting over and baby steps along the way. Go ME!

Being happy is always a choice. Like a friend told me at one of my lowest points during 2016, "Choose happiness." It's simple, but only after you take all the negativity away from yourself, the pain, the anger and the sadness; you can go ahead and choose to be happy. My mind was set to be out of that miserable zone, and I was able to. At least that's what I currently think so.

The Antique trip and being with my family, relatives and friends certainly brought me the clarity that I needed to welcome the new year.


Along with my renewed sense of self, I've decided 2017 will be a year full of positivity and activities. I'm claiming it. Positivity is a given but, activities on the other hand will be harder to fulfill at times. With that, I'll also be listing down a few resolutions to myself. They wont be restricted to 2017, but, can also be applicable or might even extend to the coming years.

1. Teach myself to have lesser expectations about certain things and certain people. During my thesis defense in college, I seriously expected the worst to happen (bad grade or even fail the fucking thing) so what ever the result may be, I'll be ready to accept it. The same with people, sometimes I already expect for them to do some things in a certain way, so I always get my heart broken over the slightest things. I should really lighten up :)
2. Let go of things I have no control over. I learnt recently that even if you give out advises freely, people will not always follow through. People will only listen to you, but you can't really help them unless they're ready to help themselves. So, let go.
3. Think of things that made me happy before going to sleep. We're so busy finding faults that we often forget that you can also fins happiness over the smallest things.
4. Be a little more thankful everyday. Along with little bouts of happiness in my day, I'll try to also find something to be thankful for before the day ends. It shouldn't have to be big, even as small as waking up can mean a big thing.
5. Always think of that you're a WORK-IN-PROGRESS. I can improve myself and get back up whenever I'm on the ground. It's better than giving up and settling.
6. Spend more time with family! That's a given!!