Why I couldn't study over the long weekend.

As y'all know I spent the 4-day long weekend in the island of Negros, mostly in my beloved Bacolod City. Whenever I'm there, I barely could ever study properly. So as to give an example why that is so, I decided to blog a bit about it, again. As much as I already love being in Iloilo City, many of my friends and family are in Bacolod and they (plus the food and the freebies) are the reasons why I just can't afford to sail there too often for fear of failing Medicine entirely.

I've mentioned in my last *awkward wince* fashion-blog post, my sister and I were going to meet up with some friends. In actuality, we were meeting two monkeys at Kuppa Coffee and Tea at Hilado Street. These guys are Eunice's best friends in college and they're like younger brothers to me, especially Jake, the monkey in red. As for the lost monkey in blue, I feel badly for, as he thought I came from the United States and studied medicine there. Thanks for the upgrade though, Luis! You get a stuffed monkey when I go back to the states!

(The following photos are a jumble from my phone and Eunice's camera last Monday, August 20.)

Partners in monkey business.

Nux. Good one Jake.

Monkey 1

Monkey 2

Flattering iPhone front camera. Oh yeah.

Since Eunice was using her camera and I was using my phone, the monkey used my iPad. Geez we know you're obsessed with Queen Cleopatra! Lol just kidding! ;) Hahahaha

Ay hindi ma agwanta.

This picture is too funny I can't even. (Hint: Luis)

While the Queen did her whatever royal stuff with her royal monkeys, I thought I'd show y'all a bit of Kuppa. I've posted bits on Calea, Cafe Bobs, Miren, Starbucks Bacolod, the University Courtyard, and Main Strip Alley before. Enjoy! 

My Iced Choco Banana Latte. Two thumbs up!

Pasta Puttanesca

Gelato!

After Kuppa we went to Capitolville to visit Gracielle and "surprise" (Absolutely epic lame fail. HAHA) her with a chocolate peanut butter cake. (Which was really good by the way!) Bodie and my cousin Eleanor (who took the next 3 amazing photos) came too. 

My super-duper buot and beautiful inside and out, high school friend is now 22! Time flies so fast! I don't feel like we're "grown-up" at all. It still feels like we're still in high school, finishing PACEs and memorizing Bible verses, *ehem* dancing, and awkwardly having to join in school plays. *Sigh* She sticks closer than a sister, no matter what may happen. Love you Grak! I'm so blessed to have someone like you! Happy birthday again!

Just before the day ended, found a chance to finally meet up with one of my bestest friends at our headquarters none other than Starbucks Bacolod! Haha. My darling Joshywoshy came too. Fermila's been super busy at work and feeling ko ka sunggod na sha sakon. But I know she understands. Naks. I've missed you Dai!

There are way too many things I still wanted to do, more people I wanted to see. But priorities go first, and I had to sail back to Iloilo the morning after in a panic for I haven't finished even half of what I should have covered by then. I made the right decision. The exam that I had to study for (Dermatology Module 2), went great. Makes me feel like I deserve some blogging time. :D

Thank you again, Bacolod! Wait for me, we'll have more fun soon.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." - Ecclesiastes 3:3 

8/22/11

Pink stripes and pigeon food.

I said I was going to make a set of experimental blog posts. So well, here's a lame excuse for what everybody knows as a... fashion blog post. Before any further ado, please refrain from expecting too much. I promise no more fashion stuff for a long long long time after this for I think I suck at it.

Now the reason why I thought I might be worthy (baw, worthy kuno) of doing anything like this was because of these common things I've seen among the fashion bloggers I've browsed through.

-Weird accessories (check)

-Old favorite pieces of clothing (check)

-Something bought abroad (check)

-Something Forever21 (check)

-Animal prints (check)

-Awkward pose (alang2x guro)
-Skinny (baw lihog lang)

-iPhone 4/4S with super cool case (check)
-Hand-me-down stuff (wait, kay mang abukay ko sa cabinet ni Lola)
-Blur2x effect of photos (may 50mm man ta ah)

-Nature2x ang background (check)

So uh, more or less I can actually probably pull off something rather presentable.. Right?

My little sister Eunice was supposed to take these photos but she was too busy rummaging through our closets looking for a particular article of clothing that I decided that our help, Manang Jane, was badass enough to do the job. Eunice and I were supposed to meet up with friends within the half hour, so I opted for the roof to get the job done real quick. The roof of the house has a coop of lovely homing pigeons and the bins you see at the back are highly likely containing their daily grub. So uh, don't mind those.

Ok so let's go through this real quick.

The moment I laid eyes on this pink and heather striped top at the Old Navy clearance last Spring, I knew I had to have it. Scored it for only $9 USD! Not only is it very light and breezy, but the flattering effect of the downward stripes and the pop of bright pink makes it darling to the eyes. Haha

Paired my top with a more toned-down combination of black jeans (Which has been in my possession since 2008, some things you just can't let go of!), and earth-colored accessories.

Manang Jane tried her best. I salute her for bearing the icky heat with me today. Since Eunice already found what she was looking for, I thought I'd just let her do the rest of the photos indoors.

My messy wind-blown hair, bow. Had my hair permed at a Korean hair salon in Iloilo City just a few weeks ago. I love it! It makes my hair look naturally curly. One thing I like about Koreans is how they do their hair. This is one rather good investment considering I'm in sophomore year in medical school thus I barely have time to fix my hair in the morning. Wala husay, wala problema ah.

As for my crystal-ish necklace, this thing caught my attention while doing one of my "window-shopping" stints at Forever21 at the Mall of America last Spring. For one thing, they look like ice cubes, perfect for summer. Uh, pink lemonade anyone?

Sorry for the leopard-skin vomit all over your screen, but I presently scream leopard prints! I think they look old-y and girly and safari-ish. I don't know if that makes any sense to you, but yeah. Bought my belt from PacSun as part of a 3-belt set on clearance for $5. My Guess purse has been with me for years now, and I still get compliments for it! You can see that and my Tory Burch leopard skin iPhone case in closer detail below.

 Nothing like a classic pair of suede wedges in nude! Makes my legs look slimmer and longer, and make my feet look bigger for that matter, as I am bestowed with size 5 1/2 feet. Illusion working?

Lately I've been more inclined towards earth-brown colors and fine details. I can pair them with almost about anything, so far. I can even wear them on their own and not look too grubby and sad.

Just before leaving the house, I decided it was just too bright to not leave the house without my favorite pair of sunglasses on. I may speak of this one in further detail in the future for I have no more time left in my hands. Hahaha. Hey, but what better accessory to wear wherever you go than a sincere smile. (Yak. Hahahaha)

And there you have it. Have to go through virology and pigmentary disorders before I sleep. I've had way too much of a break. I'll do my best not to regret all this frolicking. *Sigh* I love my chosen field more than any of this though so whatever. I had a good time. Thank God for a wee break.

Bye.

8/20/12

P.S. If you're a fashion blogger, don't mind me and my silly quips. I love what you guys are doing and I really can't imagine how you guys are so good at it. Keep inspiring us, the mere peasants of fashionland. Sometimes we really don't know what wear! - E

Cornyballs Saturday.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I believe I need to post more in my blog. Being the long weekend that this is, I thought I'd do some experimental posts, given I have some time to splurge.

So today marks the first day of my four days of "freedom" from the steely white walls of medical school (Okay, not entirely white. But still...) and so far, I'm having a ball.

What with wishing I could still pass for a fresh-faced freshman, threw in our batch's jersey from last year with some comfy jean shorts, my favorite sunnies, and my favorite tan sperrys. Sue me, I'm a terrible outfit repeater.

Took these quick snaps at the apartment in Iloilo just before leaving. It was 10:15am and the trip was scheduled to leave at 10:30am. Tut, tut, why do I like putting myself in tight situations. But hey, I made it! Hahaha

Just after having lunch with family after docking in Bacolod, had me-time at good old Cafe Bobs at Lacson street. Nope, I wasn't there to lounge around or pretend to study histology or anatomy like in the old B.S. Biology days. I badly needed to start on my reading, for I got more or less 5 exams to dive in to after this mini "vacation." *Sigh*

After making a quick visit to Victory Bacolod, had a quick meet-up with my cousin other from another, Lolo? Just had to see this cute little pumpkin at Robinsons just before heading off to dinner with my other beloved babies. Apparently she couldn't go because she already had dinner with ______. Hahaha joke lang pretty lady!

I love her sense of style! (I want to steal that denim vest!)

   

At back parking area at Robinsons Place Bacolod just before Josh drove us to dinner. Awesome shot by Eunice! I never thought this was ever possible with a Nikon D5000. Bongga.

The mother of all pizzas at Bacolod's go-to place for awesome pizza, Greenoz. I regret nothing!!!!!

(L-R Josh, me, sissy, Ivan. Not in picture, Herbie)

I have a brood of boyfriends/lovers/brothers/bodyguards in Bacolod that my little sister and I love very much. I can always count on having a jolly good time when I'm with them. They're that consistent in always almost making me fall off my chair laughing my brains out. (Cougar talks, nobody cares, and tourism to name a few.) Well, Herbie makes me laugh in certain different way. Um, ahem huya man ta.

Me: Herbs, kaagi ka man crush sakon?
Herbie: *Nods calmly with a side-ward glance that indicates that he already has a crush on someone else.*

Haahahaha heartbreak!! Thanks for giving us libre you guys! Love you!

As usual, my day Bacolod City ends up fun and fattening (with a tinge of productive, I can't let go of that fact.) Bah who cares about the all the eating, I'll drop all these calories when I kill myself with more exams in the coming weeks away from home lihog lang. 

Lord, I pray that I spend the rest of this weekend wisely. Amen

8/18/12

King David.

So much for staring at the pathophysiology of Henoch-Shonlein Purpura. My eyes hurt. But the realization that I've found a teeny window of opportunity to post in my blog again, makes me not care about this ocular discomfort secondary to chronic staring at iPhones, iPads, computers, papers, books, and LCD projector screens. *Blech*

Presently my mind is full and turbulent, yet my heart finds itself in perfect peace. Paradoxical as it may seem, it's real.

Do you know that feeling, when you're all up and going. Momentum cranked up in full.. And all of a sudden -- BAM! You fall. You're hurt. You're disappointed.

All that you've worked so hard for, gone just like that... Something you've been hoping for, dissolved before your eyes... You've made a wrong turn and its effects are irreversible.

What do you do?

"Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord." - Job 1:21

I made a promise years ago to love and worship Him no matter what may happen. And true enough, all the bad that could happen, actually happened. My nightmares came true, many of my fears materialized. I've been through enough to make me even want to break down and give up on my life.

Sometimes I forget, and I get carried away by my human flesh...  But at the end of the day, this I choose to fall face down on my knees because I need Him, and I love Him more than anything.

It's not a matter about who posts the most Facebook statuses about God, nor is it about how visible you are in the church. Some people are in the church but they are miles and miles away from Him. I know, because I've been there.

God looks at your heart. So ask yourself this: Is it a heart that is after Him, come what may? Or is it a heart that just goes through the motions, because everything is okay?

Do I ever look like nothing bad has ever come my way? Well, it's all by His grace. :)

Psalm 13. David cried it out, and so have I.
8/14/12