Baguio 2016: A Photoseries


A few favourite photos from our Baguio 2016 Adventure.

We arrive in Baguio at around 5 in the morning. After leaving our bags in our room, we venture out into the city in search of breakfast.



We find a gem - a 24 hour Italian place called Pizza Volante - where we enjoy a Filipino breakfast of Longganisa, Eggs and Fried Rice, with a hot cup of coffee. 
The city in the early morning is refreshing, and we spend a few minutes walking around and gazing at the colourful store fronts. 

 We make our way to BenCab Museum, to take in art and the picturesque Museum grounds. 


Two derps.








Day 2 finds us exploring Mt. Cloud Bookstore. Always a pleasure going to bookstores, especially if they carry special titles and genres like Mt. Cloud.



Afterwards we settled into Hill Station Cafe next door, for another round of coffee. I fell in love with Benguet coffee (which was mostly what we had) during this trip.


One of our last stops was Wright Park. Being surrounded by so much greenery refreshed my heart. 






Thank you for another lovely adventure, my dear.

Favorites: NuSkin Scion Roll-on Deodorant

I've been meaning to go back to blogging for quite some time now, but unfortunately, life has kept me preoccupied with other things. But, as they say, with all endeavors, you just have to do it and try to keep doing it as consistently as you can. So here I am trying to get back into blogging with a product review! I've always wanted to share my thoughts on the things that I try, be it good or bad, because I myself find it helpful to read about other people's experiences with products. In this age, you have all the resources to be a smart consumer, and I hope the reviews I post can help some people decide on their purchases.

RECENT FAVORITE:  NuSkin Scion Roll-on Deodorant  with 24H Protection

In the Philippines, everyone needs protection from excessive sweating caused by the hot weather. Deodorant is a must, and there are so many options in the supermarket that it can be a little confusing which one to buy. I myself have yo-yoed between so many different brands and varieties.

Unfortunately, through trial and error, I’ve come to find that some of the available brands don’t offer as much protection as I would want, or some of them leave a white cast on my clothes. I’ve also been reading up on commonly included ingredients in skincare and other grooming essentials, and I’ve become more conscious of some components like parabens, that are included in these deodorants. Definitely wanted to steer clear of deos that had not so favorable ingredients.

Fortunately, a good friend recommended the NuSkin SCION® ROLL ON DEODORANT with 24H protection!

What I Like: I used this deodorant for more than a month, and really liked the results I got. The product description does not lie; this deodorant gives me the long-hour protection that I’ve been looking for!
My usual day would involve walking to the office, staying in an airconditioned environment for most of the day then walking back. But on some days, I have to make sales calls or go to the actual sites and that can involve being outside and under the sun for prolonged amounts of time. SCION held up wonderfully for both types of days. I could move freely because I had no fear of any excess sweat or unwanted smells (which I’m sure is something that nobody wants!)

The scent is refreshing but mild, so I believe people who are sensitive to strong scents would like this product. It leaves no white cast on my clothes and yes, rest assured that there are no parabens in this product. Plus, I found the packaging to be quite sleek.

I can honestly say, that it’s the best deodorant I’ve tried and since mine ran out, I must make a mental note to get a new one.

The Downside: It’s a little pricey compared to other supermarket brands, but I do think it’s worth it.

How Much: PHP260

Where to Get: NuSkin Representatives - 09053444587

Art: Don't Hate Yourself



Don't hate yourself.

Don't hate yourself because you are limited; 
that you are not yet where you wish you could be,
and there are things that you cannot and possibly might never be able to do.

Don't hate yourself because you are selfish;
that at times you need to get away from it all because you feel abused, 
and you acknowledge that sometimes you need to put yourself first.

Don't hate yourself because you feel hurt;
that you feel anger and pain, or you feel betrayed or abandoned,
or simply that you are a human being who feels a myriad of emotions.

Don't hate yourself because you are lost;
that you are not sure where you are or where you're going, or how you're going to get there, and when

Don't hate yourself because you want to;
that all you can see in the mirror is a stranger who you can't seem to want to like, or can't seem to want to know

Even if you see a million reasons to, there are a million reasons not to. 

Don't hate yourself.

Thoughts: Hiatus



It's been a really long time since I've visited this space, both as a writer and as a reader. The last round-up that I wrote was for January! Which, as of my writing is five months ago.

In the span of those five months I've:
- traveled back to Japan
- celebrated my 23rd birthday
-moved to a new apartment / moved offices 
- gone to Taiwan and met with Shizu and Hitomi 
- trained a new employee (who has already left)
- started training another new employee
-started cooking for myself
- found a new possible MA track

But, the past five months have also been difficult, with daddy and lola getting sick, relationships getting strained, and going through what I can only call, depression.

I took this photo in the month of May, and it took me so long before I could post it. 
This was what I wrote:

This photo has been in my gallery for a few weeks now. I've been unable to post it, or write something to go along with it, though I've wanted to, really wanted to. 

 Today I was inspired by something a friend shared, and so I thought I should, well, conquer with courage and put a few words out. 

 It's almost the end of May - Mental Health Awareness Month. It's been about three months since I've been struggling with myself, really struggling, with what I am not sure of as depression. I have seen a counselor, and for everyone who is hesitating to visit one, please know that it is okay. It is okay to go seek help when you no longer know what to do. When you can't handle yourself anymore. It's okay to ask for help.

I've been seeing a lot of Gemma Correl's artwork for Mental Health Awareness month, and the descriptions that have inspired her work, encapsulates what I have been feeling exactly.
But here goes to trying to pen it down.

It's like a floodgate has been in opened in your mind. All your thoughts come pouring out, and they come in so strongly like they're trying to escape your head but they can't. You try to stop yourself from thinking, to relax, but it doesn't work. You try to think of other things - calming things, but there are too many thoughts already. It's loud but incomprehensible, like white noise. You turn to negotiating, to begging with yourself to calm down, to stop thinking. It's as if there are two of yourself, and one is at the mercy of the other. Sometimes you succumb to hyperventilation, to crying. Sometimes crying will stop the thinking, sometimes it won't, and you're just left with sore eyes and a numbness in your chest.

In the morning you can hardly get yourself to get up. You feel your heart beating fast, and there's a heaviness like a sumo wrestler is sitting on your chest. You talk to yourself, make yourself get up, get yourself to function. "Function" is your operative.
You function for most of the day, go home and try to change your mood.

But so much of it feels forced now. The things that gave you joy and peace no longer help. You no longer have the will to do them, and even when you do it all feels mediocre.

You feel mediocre a lot of the time. You don't understand why people describe you as being mature or having it together because you don't have it together. You feel like a failure most days. Like there is nothing left to be, and all that you thought you were and could be, you can no longer imagine.

You keep asking yourself, "What happened to the person I was a few years ago?" You are no longer that person, you no longer recognize that person.

You try to read all the letters you wrote, letters for yourself when you've lost motivation. But you hear a stranger saying the words to you.

You feel like a shell of what you were. But you need to function. Sometimes you think all people really need is for you to just function. So you will yourself to function. And you crumble inside while you do it.

This happens again. And again. And again.

Some days are better. Some days I feel more of myself, though I'm not sure who that is really. The counselor told me that with what I'm going through, it's like I'm riding a bike - one foot is pedalling but the other is dragging itself on the ground.

We're never sure of what anyone really goes through. It might take someone a lot of effort just to get through a regular day. Just to get out the door, is a victory. Every person has their own struggle, and we can only try to conquer with courage.

If you feel like a friend might be suffering from mental illness, try and reach out to help them get the help they need. And if you yourself would like to get help, conquer with courage dear friend. We will be okay, one day. 

------

Up to now, this is still what I'm trying to do. Be okay and conquer with courage.
I may not follow through on all of my goals everyday, but I try.
I may not be who I want to be yet, but I try.
Everyday, something happens that tries to break my will, and sometimes it's close.
But I try. 

Writing here on this space, I try.

Monthly Round-up: January 2016


Monthly Round-up: January 2016

1) Back to movie dates with my home girl Dea.
Watched Honor Thy Father and Walang Forever. Kicked off the year with Filipino films! (both were good)

2) Reunited with my girls, sans Allyza. Finally saw Abbe after more than half a year apart!

3) Was able to meet with my buddy, Micha right before she left for Japan. Missed this girl a lot and can't believe so much has happened to her and me after graduation.

4) Art Appreciation day with Gillie and Tel. Caught Ben Cab's exhibit at Vargas before it was taken out after January.

5) Took them to ROFL, one of my favorite spots in Katipunan.

6) A photo my boyfriend took of me in my element when we were waiting for Dea to have dinner. 
We spent the afternoon looking for Star Wars figures and also I got too meet one of his co-workers!

7) Sneaked in some time for a bit of art. Finally got to test out my Colleen Color Pencils.

8) Very busy day meeting up with people for the books I was selling, one of which was badi Noyi. Marie Kondo has influenced me a lot this month. Only did my clothes and books so far, but a lot has been taken away. Still need to go to Cubao Expo to really part with everything.

9) Found a great restaurant - Kanzhu hand pulled noodles - by a recommendation by Tel. Missed just hanging out with her in her condo! 

I started February by being sick but hope my birth month is full of good moments still!
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