Kate Voegele - Impatient Girl

I ain't never been a patient girl baby
I ain't built like this
The way you're taking your time has got me jumping ship
And I won't lie let's call this what it is
An impatient girl waiting on an empty wish


I'm an impatient girl

Kate's a little too thin here and her hair is... ho-hum.

Yet the video is good with a little (or miniscule) mix from Foster the People :)

Glee - Rumour Has It / Someone Like You

Glee Season 3 was initially dubbed as for the Broadway fans with songs far from the mainstream crowd, unless you are cultured enough to be exposed to the musicals (which unfortunately I am not hahaha). Yeah Britney, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry songs as well as their mash-ups propelled their ratings last season but they pretty much failed to make a dent in their premiere for Season 3. The world is united in saying that story/plot is obviously not a priority for Glee writers (if they really have one), so it leaves us with performance and song selection to get the audience hooked to the show like bloodsucking leeches.

Although it didn't initially hit the right spot (what do you expect from a decreasing audience share?), this episode has brought back the enthusiasm of their initial fan base. They were able to redeem themselves in their 50th episode titled "Mash Off" bringing in a lot of songs both classic and recent hits. Hello, Blondie, Lady Gaga, and Van Halen? They brought out the missiles! Adding that since I am biased for Santana (wuhoo Naya Rivera!) and as agreed by my friend, it can be announced that Santana and Mercedes (Amber Riley!) basically "saved" the whole season with their mash-up of Adele's "Rumour Has It" and "Someone Like You." Adele needs to have an altar somewhere. I'll bring the candles.

This has been on replay since the day it was shown. Yes, it's included in my daily routine. Rhythm, dresses, coordination, overall performance. The Troubletones wins over New Directions in a heartbeat.

"What did you just tell her??"

You know how the episode goes. :)

Light's Beautiful Surprises

So it was mentioned how I'm not much of a fan of sunlight and bright lights but being a fan of lomography and toy cameras means I have to go and embrace the killer cancerous UV lights daylight while wearing my protective ring (yes I still believe I am a vampire up to this date so just go along and don't let me use my compulsion prowess on you).

Tian Tan Buddha

Whenever we go out in broad daylight or when my parents drag my carcass somewhere else (they pull me by the hair), I always bring along Zumi (the size of a credit card) and get some shots whenever I can just so I can make this camera fulfill its expensive destiny. We're into purpose-driven life here, ya know.
PS: I am still looking for a wrist strap and camera case though. If you know where I can purchase message me!

Fishies from our aquarium slash hand washing area. I kid.

The shots might come off as a surprise even though there's an LCD screen in the middle of the camera for reviewing your photos because practically Zumi's viewfinder is as useful as your appendix. Best shots result when there's more light (sing "Sunny daaaaay lalala....") because the colors are more exposed to the camera. Good photos is equal to bad skin.

Eastwood Mall indoor shot. In Monochrome Hard filter.

I admit that Zumi is no match to DSLRs or other point-and-shoot digicams when it comes to zoom, megapixels, focus, sharpness, etc. Making this toy camera seem to be more impractical and "expensive" are the camera applications available in iPhone and iPod Touch's that can capture clear and "fun" photos as well.  Hmph. I'll still keep my sumptuous, saturated, daylight-loving, vivid camera. Nothing can replace the fun factor it has, the beautiful mistakes that could come out from the shots (versus the "perfect" photos from the lomo apps), and not thinking of post-processing anything at all. Unless you want to put fangs on your sister's normal portrait shot. I know I do. >:]

MORAL: Don't think. Just shoot. It's about time you have fun. :)

I'm not missing my film camera anymore. This thing is making me happy, really trigger happy.

Bandwagon - Going Elsewhere

Everyone's hating on Twilight, so I'm going to watch Breaking Dawn when it premieres.
Everyone's all crazy over the trailer of The Hunger Games so I'm going to wait for the 2nd release of the trailer or just wait until March 2012 - the premiere of the movie.
All the folks are queuing at milk tea stores and raving how much they love it. I'll just go mix and sip my own Thai milk tea.
Everybody's writing their own travel blog. So I won't. A travel blog that's all about the writer? S/he should have just written about his/her life then include, "oh wait I went to Antarctica because it's sooooo cool there."
Everyone takes photos of everything. I snap a few and keep the moment in my mind. A lot of great experiences are missed just because you took a photo of it (and you were looking at the screen).


Everyone's travelling and going elsewhere. Promo fare here, voucher deal there.


This.
I.
Won't.
Stop.
Even if everyone's doing it.


Seeing the world and all the differences, beauty, and unpleasantries included make up for amazing stories you could amuse yourself with. The excitement and danger (yup!) are part of it. How many times have you dropped your jaw in astonishment? Have you thought about life when the sun is setting and the cool breeze is sweeping by? Plus the life lessons you'll learn, the experiences you'll encounter, the time you'll kill, the money you'll burn spend, the people you'll meet, the languages you'll murder, the photos you'll take, and the memories you'll keep - priceless.


Don't brag about your trips, don't feel insecure of the number of hot spots your friends have been to (quality over quantity!). Take one island at a time, one country at a time. The world is for your taking. :)

Michelle Branch - Loud Music

We're making loud music.
You and I.
So loud. So loud.
:)

Michelle Branch.
Still my favorite after a decade. Good times.

Time to Be Personal Again

This thing has been in the drafts for too long. I don't know why I haven't published this. It's now freaking October and the items are for August/September!!! Well October brought about a lot of issues so it might still be applicable. :)


Now is the time!


Time to make the blog personal again! > This one really sounds similar to a computer company's ad slogan before and yet it is exactly what I need. I don't keep a diary/journal of my life - imagine if anything's supposed to be a secret, you must leave no possible evidence behind! So pretty much all items I have are open to public reading and scrutiny. Read: Evidence = Paper Trail = Diary.


Friends summed up August for me and since we work in the same place, the career thoughts are also similar:


- Trusting the wrong people or "friends." Bullies never grow up. They have deep unseated insecurities in life. Awww. Tss. -.-

There will be bullies wherever you go. These are people who need to instill fear in the consciousness of people in order to assert their so-called influence, or to protect such influence from becoming irrelevant.

But at the end of the day, these are simply individuals filled with insecurities that they can only cover up by making others submit to their will.

I don't get why people put up with such behavior but I do understand that it's better to be on the safe side because there are perks to that. It's okay to just keep quiet or laugh along with their "witty" jokes making fun of other people rather than being on the receiving end of their wrath.

To that I say, what the fuck! We're simply reinforcing their actions if we don't question them and it further gives them a license to treat people in such a way. It's like explicitly allowing colorum buses to run wild in EDSA. It simply shouldn't happen.

No one has to go through the experience of being shamed through negative tweets, offensive status messages, and maybe direct confrontation and no one has the right to subject others through those things. 

(Bondoc, 2011) 

- Frustrations are not like the existence of rain showers and thunderstorms in a tropical country which just pop out like zits and you can't do anything about it. It's because one has set certain expectations and disappointment is part and parcel of that. I have set the bar high and I'm willing to work my tendons to not just reach it, but go over it. Competitive as agreed, which is why I willingly endured all sacrifices (lifestyle according to pay, time, and work requirements) all for the sake of experience and better opportunities. Maybe I got the experience right, although I'm not sure on the opportunities part. Maybe we have different priorities in life and posting an ultimatum on getting things done might or might not work for me (hello it may even backfire!). I don't want to just go with the flow and let life take you as you ride along to its course. Control freak much? Boohoo, unlucky me.


I am not fond of waiting. I never was. It has always been similar to "what I want, I want it now" or okay if not now, maybe a little later but it must be in the time frame that I can still remember (because I might be matampuhin and ditch the whole idea if I don't get it right away). If this is the time I have to learn how to wait, well, hopefully this is that part already. Patience is keeping a positive disposition while waiting. It is a virtue after all. :|


Maybe I have to be a little loose. Learn to sail with the wind and use it to my advantage, because I'm sure as tweaking my own propellers to go in the same direction.

MORAL: Aside from getting a regular font, thanks Rach for the life lessons you have shared.

Take away all the people (and things) that make me sad, disappointed, and worried. I will take away all the negative vibes that this month brought into my life. I will take away expectations, unrequited love, people with so many issues, and irritating/negative ones. So, if you're one of the ones mentioned above, I'm sorry but I do not have room for you in my life :) Again, I do not need lots of people to share this journey with, I just need the right ones :)

Take one day at a time, one role at a time, one friend at a time, one project at a time, one boy at a time, one experience at a time, and I am sure, things will be way better than this month :)

Surround myself with people who make me happy and inspired, of people who want to be part of my life, with people who care enough with what I'm feeling, and with people whom I can trust.

(Dimaculangan, 2011)

Yes. Life's too short to feel all crappy about crap (people include). These lessons aren't like pills wherein you just need to swallow to feel better. Having this kind of disposition would take time to develop, well at least for me, and yet I know this would yield a better world in the perspective of a mermaid.

Captivating Coron

Thanks to Mary for the title. October 20-22, 2011

My previous trip was last July where we went to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. After more than two months of travel-hiatus, I am now back on track! Since this was already planned long before the schedule of my project was released, it hit straight into the middle of the testing period. I wonder if my PM hated me because of it. Hmmm.... I swear I must have bought more cashew tarts...

Where did I bring my stuff to? Coron, Palawan!

Zumi's shot of Palawan. And we haven't even landed!

Packing my hiking bag and trotting along my near-retirement sandals, Coron is definitely the place to be when you want to cry on the inside because of being awestruck with beauty. Coron is located at the northern part of Palawan. It has its own small airport (much like Caticlan's), Busuanga's Francisco B. Reyes Airport. From the airport, there are a lot of transfers to the town proper. Standard fare is PHP150 whether you arrange for pick-up or just ride when you're there. Just tell them your lodging and they'll drop you on its doorstep. Travel time is around 20-30minutes depending on how crazy your driver is. 

And you'll think you're in New Zealand with the cows roaming around like a boss.

We stayed at Coron Gateway Hotel. It's pretty popular with the locals because when they ask where we are checked-in and we say the name of the hotel, they never fail to say "Oooh," then add, "Mahal dun ah." If only they knew we were on promo. 

First on the list is the famous Mt. Tapyas. There are 724+ steps to reach the top and see the giant cross that lights up at night. Better bring a bottle of water because you'll be in for a ridunkulous climb. What's interesting here is that you can get to fully appreciate Mt. Tapyas once you start on your island hopping adventure. You can see from afar that there is really a "tapyas" in the mountain - which our local refreshment vendor shared - a bomb hit that side of the mountain. Uh-huh.

724 steps? Worth it.

Before you give your legs time to realize it's already aching, you can speed off to Maquinit Hot Spring. Word of advice is to NOT jump in as the hot spring is really...hot. Take time to adjust to the temperature and it will be a relaxing treat.

You have been warned. This is a TYPICAL scene/view in Coron.

So what is Coron all about? The bluer than blue waters and amazing rock formations that are just  around the corner. First is the post-card friendly to-die-for Kayangan Lake. Getting there would already give you the "Ahhhhh....." and then you'll die again when you reach the lake after a short trek.

Welcome to Kayangan Lake! Where the water is so clear you need to stop and pray, thanking God that there are still places like this.

Stop in the middle of the trek to bask in the beauty of the scenery.
And no editing needed. It really looks like this.

Start crying.

Breakeven

August showed me how difficult people can be. Those whom you think are your friends suddenly shoots you and broadcasts it to the whole world - even if they're holding on to wrong information.

September showed me how difficult it is to be on the receiving end of a client that throws tantrums like crumpled paper. It also made me realize the real meaning of "clingy" and "needy" and this is even related to work. Yes.

October showed me that no matter how awesome you feel or how superhuman you can be, there are only 24 hours in a day and you can only do so much. It's both sad and humbling.

Oct 13 has been really something. I threw the can of Pringles on the floor, shouted at that moustached-face and then snapped back to reality and continued what I was doing. Being chased by a lot of crazy people and then accepting that you have to delegate tasks even if it might mean more work for you (teach, supervise the work, and re-check the final output) is no easy feat and yes I tried to squeeze them all in. I was decided to go to the office but I had a heavy heart. I prayed to God to help me see the balance in everything, the good in the bad.

What happened after I prayed in the car, the emergency lights in our garage turned on meaning we don't have electricity. So it was a good decision to go to the office huh. Halfway, rained poured like a waterfall. The good? My car won't be nominated in the "City Cars That Look Like It Traveled in the Desert" category. Not to mention God made me not lose hope in humanity even after all the shenanigans that happened (see August and September paragraphs above) because of the REAL friends I have in the office. 

I still pray to God to make me accept that things really do happen for a reason and that we're not under the power of luck.

MORAL: Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Colour Missions

Adidas Colour Missions are 4 tracks available for download at www.adidascolourmissions.com wherein the soundtrack will keep you running and running to complete your mission. There is a voice over telling you to slow down into a jog, run as fast as you can, and egging you to continue running to either avoid being caught by the police or to be on time for your performance. It's like being part of Grand Theft Auto except you can't ride anything (or hit anyone) as you'll keep on running and running in your mission for about 15 minutes.

There are 4 missions to choose from:
Colour Mission Yellow - The Getaway > You're a bank robber making your getaway.
Colour Mission Green - The Mothership > You're racking to make contact with a UFO.
Colour Mission Blue - Rock Star > You're a rock star late for a gig.
Colour Mission Red - Before Dawn > You're being chased by vampires.

So I tried listening to the missions while working, and all I can say is.... nothing. Maybe it would feel different if I try it out on the road?

Side note since we're into Adidas anyway, while I'm still a proud owner of Adidas Fluid Trainer Light, my next target would be Nike Free Run+ 2 and they're pretty heavy on the wallet! Wait wait, Adidas Climacool Ride is also a good prospect in blocking my bank account. The red CC (yes we have monikers now) Ride is definitely making a print on my mind! Both running shoes rank high in reviews and in the price department. *tears start to well up*


MORAL: Run, walk, jog. Whatever it is, chase pavements and let your heart rate rise.