(Backup) On heavens and galaxies and sisig and beers

May 1 - Labor Day (in my country)  and just like last year I wasn't partying (for some reason) at "Laboracay"  which for several years has been my tradition (broken last year) ( Labor Day in Boracay island) . I opted not to work and avail 1 day off y and went out of town with two of my college friends and their kids. I brought Mother and a niece. We decided to go to Garin Farm that features religious sculptures on top of the mountains with surrounding farm and other attractions. It was one hot day considering it's almost the end of summer in my country (global  warming and climate change is real) . mother  opted not to go up the stairs leading to the main attraction up the mountain because it was steep only to find out later that there is actually a golf car that can bring you there) A tourist friend called it Jesus theme park, where all the religious icons were present and the all white murals and figures   and it's kind of blinding when you get there  because you have to go through a dark maze and what greets you when you reach the peak is the all white color scheme. The kids called it heaven. 

On our way we  passed by some barangay and  lots of  fiestas. We even joked that we just gate crash and pretended we are  related to the towns people and because we were looking for lunch places . may  is a popular month for fiestas in the country considering it's summer and people have more holidays and no school)  . Fiestas are parties in honor of a saint in one area it's a Spanish influence and a very catholic thing.  It's usually open house we're friends and relatives would gather in the house of a host and it is usually open house . ( no invitation needed) 300 years of domination and that's just ingrained in the system.

Finally we just went back to the city and have lunch in Tatoys manokan a native restaurant famous for their chicken and seafoods. 

After lunch and a little siesta we decided to  watch guardians of the Galaxy. It was a fun movie save for due to my tiredness I had fallen asleep some parts of the movie. 

. It was a fun movie save for due to my tiredness I had fallen asleep some parts of the movie. But I do remember that line about  the character, Mantis being ugly. I mean they all look weird but she was labeled awful and was singled out for her looks. Anyways the soundtrack was great and lots of funny lines from Groot and Rocket  voice of vin diesel and Bradley cooper respectively.The  kids with us has the best times watching. Kaden, the son of my friend Karen who is 6 years old knows a lot about galaxies and planets ( the real ones) he would even tell us how many moons a certain planet has. Kids these days are amazing. Or maybe they just have information available to them at the tips of their fingertips (literally) But well it has still something to do with whatever interests them. .  (As he was telling us this I recalled  a line from he poem - the invitation -  " I don't care what planet is squaring your moon, I want to know what you ache for" (maybe one day I'll have the chance to read a line of  this poem to one deserving man) 

We had lunch at Tatoys restaurant famous for its native chicken and other seafood delicacies. After the movie, the gang dropped me off at Seda so I could meet my other bestie who wants to meet up with me so she could introduce someone new in her life , a prospective new  beau maybe. So when youre summoned this way by the bestie you know  it's should be important. We had some beers and wine my skin  got so red again. Me and alcohol don't quite mix well. We had dinner at this place called in Megaworld Iloilo where they have the best Sisig in town. Simple and unassuming yet true to what they advertise it is really the house specialty. 

. Anyway my day was long and yet fun. 

It kind of set the tone of my May being just light and easy. 

Its officially  the ending of summer and the start of rainy season ( may day eve) but well being in a tropical country our season is actually more like hot or hotter. And like we always say some rain must fall and then exactly  May 2 comes the first rain of summer.  New season, new begginings. 

- this was written May 2... the bestie is indeed going steady with the new guy... (so far😜, she has the tendency to be fickle minded when it comes to matter of the heart)  I've since come back to more date night and gimik night in that place eating pizza and beer and trying all the other sisig menu with all the beers either the class c San Mig light or some international brand we've been trying ...Kaden turned 7 last Month and I'd reunite with my friends and their kids. I'm still childless save for my dog Dolce...(does that count?) 

(Backup) Taipei wishing

There's a part of me that's pragmatic but oftentimes I  would entertain fengshui, ( because obviously I'm Asian- Chinese culture influence) and maybe  I read a thing or two on occult topics and I have  respect for  different religions . The latest travel with the bestie was filled with food tripping, window shopping, museums, castles and temple visit. 

I'm writing about my Longshan temple experience because well it's pretty new to me to be doing the Buddhist ritual at the same time I was in awe of  the structure. It was nighttime when we visited but it was still a treat for the senses. The lights, the intricate details of the temple,  the way people prayed and practice the rituals and the smell of incense everywhere. 

My bestfriend was horrified  when she heard me shrieking coz I accidentally burn my legs because I have been holding the incense around seeing me carrying it around the temple when there's people everywhere and you're supposed to place it back in the burning area . 

 The mark on my leg is the burn from the incense that's already healed after more than 2 weeks.

 The entrance

 The temple

This is where the incense is placed after praying and where you would offer your items to be blessed or where you can probably make a wish. 

There's another ritual where you make a wish and throw 2 identical objects made of wood shaped like and oblong where the other side is flat and the other side is protruding and when you get the same sides that's when your answer to your wish is a yes.. 

so I joked my bestfriend that I actually wished I'd win the lotto and also to have a love life  .. and I got a yes on two accounts. So when you can't have both I'd choose the lotto over the lovelife or if in case maybe I'll get a rich boyfriend. It's like wining the lotto as well. We always have funny stories we often tell each other to one day record our convo and make it into a vlog..

 We also bought souvenirs and charms and have it blessed. We would always ask the sales lady the purpose of the charm - the options would usually be for love,  career , protection, luck and money. There is even for fertility. 

I still have to see results of the wishes 1 month down the line. In psychology we would call it attribution..(making it sound more plausible and realistic) 

 I'm still dreaming about the delicious siopao we had tried only once and never had the chance to get it around our neighborhood because we would always go back late to our hotel..

There's no single steeet food I tasted that I didn't like.. although we did not try the stinky tofu..(also the penis shaped food items) 

Ob

My appointment with the OB how lame is that! (And a little TMI but do indulge me a little ) 

I just wrote that as a reference for when I can already write about it however unwittingly it got published. So yes, I have yearly appointment with the ob just the standard check up and tests such as sono mammogram for the breast and Transvaginal  ultrasound where 

the gyny insert some sort of a rod inside your vags (creepers this is not in any way sexual so if your reading now, bye!) to test presence of cyst or abnormal growth and also my other purpose is to test if my eggs are still healthy. Yes I'm still planning on procreating one of these days. (Soon I hope tick tick!) but in case that's not in the cards, I can always opt for adoption. I have so much respect for people who opt for that choice. Giving birth as they say doesn't always make one a mother.  Then there's always some other options such as IVF, surrogate and freezing ones egg for future use. The  possibilities are many as they are however expensive. Case in point, Scarlett snow Belo. The adorable toddler of Dr. Vicki Belo and her soon to be hub, the hunky and younger man dr Hayden Kho. Me and my OB, ( I already like her because she's very relatable and down to earth and a bit young to be a doctor) we're discussing how now there are many ways to get pregnant although as she said it's not all foolproof some has to undergo several tests and fails before being really successful. Janet Jackson was pregnant and has given birth at 53, something unimaginable say maybe 10 or 15 years before. All these actresses who gave birth at age almost forty such as Jenifer Lopez and Julia Roberts and even gave birth to twins. Sarah Jessica  parker thru a surrogate and all this others celeb moms - hello Beyoncé. My doctor said that a lot of women nowadays come to them seeking help for conceiving. The changes of the modern world has indeed affected this situation where women has careers and chose to have kids later on in life. 

So going going back to Vicki Belo she is almost 60 and have a baby thru a surrogate - a million dollar baby so to speak. But I guess the joy Scarlet Snow brought  to their family is nothing in comparison. 

Blitses

Reeling in their new capacity to pay and maybe raging hormones we would always find this new PNP officers on training a warm lead for our sales blitzes. And every time they don't disappoint.. Some officemates would tease us that our market are really men in uniform. We would always go to camps, be that  the city or the mountains just to get sales for our postpaid lines. Lately, our blitzes includes the new construction in the city so we always have to be "cowboys" and be one of the boys.  I don't know how much of this I can take anymore but well it's all in a day's work...

Blitses

Reeling in their new capacity to pay and maybe raging hormones we would always find this new PNP officers on training a warm lead for our sales blitzes. And every time they don't disappoint.. Some officemates would tease us that our market are really men in uniform. We would always go to camps, be that  the city or the mountains just to get sales for our postpaid lines. Lately, our blitzes includes the new construction in the city so we always have to be "cowboys" and be one of the boys.  I don't know how much of this I can take anymore but well it's all in a day's work...

Career drama

Career goals and what not! 

 Have I been complacent or have I been living my life? Xx years in this company and I haven't been climbing the corporate ladder. Now I know that I have created an impression that I'm indifferent to  getting bigger roles but in reality I was just not given equal chances. It's true that maybe you should know which side your bread is buttered on..When your boss likes you you will be given lots of opportunities and in my case I have never really made an effort to kiss anyone's ass so to speak...When I like you I am genuine in most of my actions. But maybe that's not how it all work.. To be fair, I've also covet promotions. I've been hurt when I've been passed on a promotion, when I didn't get the bonus I was hoping. I was even relocated to another area at some point. And I made the most of it. It was actually one of the most fun times in my life. I've meet some people who has to become permanent in my life- my best friend Sheree and with that I am thankful.  Yet I felt unappreciated at work. 

  And because of that I've created an aura of not giving a fuck.. I go to work, I don't involve myself with office politics and I try to be nice to everyone. And I travel as much as I can. For me life is all about balance. My only regret would be I wasn't issued a US visa. I applied twice. It has something to do with my salary not being enough or the consul think so...And maybe he is right...My girlfriends has got kickass careers - one is a country director for a major mobile  company and  she will be handling Asia soon. the other one is a political chief of staff of a senator - she would travel the country via a chartered plane, she hobnobs with politicians and celebrities .Do I envy them,  a little  I know how good they are their strengths and their passions and maybe because I know  also that  I could write  I can be a PR person and maybe given the right training I can do more. But I love them and we support each other in any way we can..they never made me feel like I am a failure...we still travel together and make plans together. Arrgh I'm in this little rut again. But at least a few days back I finally got the certification for the 10 day training we attended for the company - a mini MBA certified by Japan -AOTS. I don't really know if this will help me in any way but the training itself has been a journey of some sort..I've talked about it in one of my previous entry. Anyways my take away if any from all of this is that - Do not bite the hands that feed you and Never  burn bridges...

Ob

My appointment with the ob 

(Backup) April Fool

So I've written how crazy it has been getting that elusive Coldplay tickets. Being the fool I am I still booked flights to Manila and still hoped for passes from my connections with My company. So Globe was the presentor and it was a  successful investment for them albeit a pricey one if you may. But media mileage and international exposure it's been a very wise move... so long story short I've attended the concert in the VIP area. The whole time I was in Manila before the day of the concert most of my time were spent texting and harassing my friends who can get me passes to the VIP area. I was even wanting to buy a GA ticket and just ask my friends from the security group to move me in the nearer are but all the GA and bronze ticket were sold out.. anyway, lucky me and maybe partly because of my charm I was able to watch the concert. The bummer was that my bestfriend was in the Gold area and were not together until almost the last part of the show. I didn't have good pictures because my phone was low battery and because I did some office stuff before I went to the concert area like maybe at 5:30 pm but because of the heavy traffic I was there at around 7 pm already. I don't want to elaborate how great the show was because of course a lot of people had written reviews but over all it was a fun and a memorable experience for me and my bestfriend. We even  made plans of watching it in Seoul in case we couldn't watch it here.  Chris Martin indeed proved how cool and how humble he is.  How the show was an experience in itself. I even texted this guy from Germany I was talking to because he was working for an event company and he told me that he handled a few concert of Coldplay. I jokingly told him - let's get married so I can watch all the Coldplay concert. He was game enough to take it as a joke of course. 

Long story short, I had the best time but at the same time feeling emotional. I can't help longing for someone I can hug  at the time Chris Martin was singing Yellow.  My bestfriend tried to get in the area where I was because she told me after that she wanted us to be together at least towards the last part of the concert. The concert security guys helped here get there. We have funny anecdotes sharing how these guys got her number or me was added in Facebook. She said she's going to talk to them in time for Britney Spears concert in Manila.  Talk about connection. After the concert, I stayed near the exit just to people watch and to see celebrities who watched the concert. I waited to see Maine and Alden and I only confirmed after the fans posted pictures of them in Twitter.  we met some new friends  - kids who are as crazy or maybe crazier than we are about the band.  

 

So there's still a few concert I would love to see in my lifetime: Britney yes, Adele, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, U2, Sam Smith and Spice Girls reunion. Give me tickets and maybe I'll date you haha! 

  

  Anyhow here's the link to the after video : https://www.facebook.com/nieva.hotness/posts/10212917199183194

(Backup) April Fool

So I've written how crazy it has been getting that elusive Coldplay tickets. Being the fool I am I still booked flights to Manila and still hoped for passes from my connections with My company. So Globe was the presentor and it was a  successful investment for them albeit a pricey one if you may. But media mileage and international exposure it's been a very wise move... so long story short I've attended the concert in the VIP area. The whole time I was in Manila before the day of the concert most of my time were spent texting and harassing my friends who can get me passes to the VIP area. I was even wanting to buy a GA ticket and just ask my friends from the security group to move me in the nearer are but all the GA and bronze ticket were sold out.. anyway, lucky me and maybe partly because of my charm I was able to watch the concert. The bummer was that my bestfriend was in the Gold area and were not together until almost the last part of the show. I didn't have good pictures because my phone was low battery and because I did some office stuff before I went to the concert area like maybe at 5:30 pm but because of the heavy traffic I was there at around 7 pm already. I don't want to elaborate how great the show was because of course a lot of people had written reviews but over all it was a fun and a memorable experience for me and my bestfriend. We even  made plans of watching it in Seoul in case we couldn't watch it here. 

Long story short, I had the best time but at the same time feeling emotional. I can't help longing for someone I can hug  at the time Chris Martin was singing Yellow.  My bestfriend tried to get in the area where I was because she told me after that she wanted us to be together at least towards the last part of the concert. The concert security guys helped here get there. We have funny anecdotes sharing how these guys got her number or me was added in Facebook. She said she's going to talk to them in time for Britney Spears concert in Manila.  Talk about connection. 

So there's still a few concert I would love to see in my lifetime: Britney yes, Adele, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, U2, Sam Smith and Spice Girls reunion. Give me tickets and maybe I'll marry you haha! 

  Anyhow here's the link to the after video : https://www.facebook.com/nieva.hotness/posts/10212917199183194

February wins

February  may be short but it has been sweet. The last week was filled with some wins... I attended a debut party for a niece (daughter of my first cousin, who turned 18), I visited and meet some relatives out of town and had a swim in this towns resort, reached my sales target (with help from my awesome officemates and some clients)  and ended with a dinner last night with my colleagues.. meanwhile I was given a task in the program of the birthday party for the niece I mentioned as an "18 treasure" (in a debut party usually there's an 18 roses dance, 18 candles where 18 girl friends gives their wishes) as part of 18 treasure you will give a gift called treasure and talk about its significant and give your wishes to the celebrant.  What I gave her are lippies from Kylie who's is all the fad with girls lately and a few trinkets and little perfume. My niece is boyish. She loves basketball and in fact her theme was sports and people came in their sports attire. This has been my message :

"The treasure I am gifting you is not really that valuable  rather  it is a weapon. A beauty weapon. As a modern woman we are expected to be beautiful not just in the outside but also in the inside. So inspite  of your boyish ways which is also your charm I want to encourage you to develop and nurture your feminine side  of course while maintaining your boyish personality because that's who you are and that is your strength as an individual and because we celebrate individuality and uniqueness"

 While I was formulating this thoughts in my mind I was I was thingking about Ruby Rose or Halsey. They are openly gay and still maintain their femininity and so are actually woman crush materials. I'm not saying my niece is gay at this point. But what ever she wants to be she is very much accepted - she is talented , funny and with so much personality.  So happy birthday my dear niece and stay awesome...

    

Stories to tell

As I wake up I do my routine phone check and as usual for the past days I have an event reminder of the book launching of "higher law" a compilation of articles written by my good friend who is a writer and a lawyer, Atty. Mac. He did not yet invited me personally but probably in Facebook that's why it's being saved in my  phone calendar. So I texted him saying, hey congratulations and you should invite me..(we are close that way) and then he called me saying you know what, you should be there as you are a subject in one of my stories. Oh wow! I remember how in the past I have sought his counsel on navigating a complicated relationship/reelationship.   It was one of a very interesting episode in the past and lets just say that it belonged in the past but from then on he was  my counsel and my listening ear  and my adviser for navigating life in general. Like in this  little chat we talked about the new Miss Universe answer to the question "Name something over the course that you failed at and tell us what you learned.”  She answered in French and when translated. " Miss France: I failed several times in my life… When you fail you have to be elevated and you have keep going. If tonight I will not be the winner I am still honored that I’m still one of the three finalists. For me this is a great opportunity. He said that was the best part of her answer being "elevated". How did we arrived to this topic? Well because he was asking me about my relationship status and he ask if there's someone making me happy. I said yes I am happy and learning from my bad decisions. I even quoted the pun " Bad decisions best stories". We also talked about how some people who are well meaning and well intentioned  sees something which we don't see clearly. Like in some of our relationships our partners or the object of our affection are not so much our match but then again at the end of the day it's still about what's making us happy.  So we concluded in jest and in his usual witty one liner  " Continue making bad decisions until you can come up with the best one" or something along this line...

This post was written February 1, 2017 . I've just been in a vacation from Boracay and I was feeling relieved and distracted at the same time (distracted in a good way) January has been hectic because of high start of the year target which kind of set the bar for the whole year. (Sorry #work I'm with sales) and also because of Dinagyang festival in my city... long story short it was crazy! So I needed the distraction...

February you've been real #series  

 The beach                Ms u moment

Stars

 

I love reading in my past time but lately I haven't really read a book (because life)or if ever it's few and far between.  So I make up for it by reading articles over the Internet. There's a lot of fake news and shit stuff  in the net I know but sometimes we also stumble upon some legit and worth reading stuff that interest us... The pic above is my post a few years back that apeared again in my feed (due to facebook nmemory) and I have to share articles that has sparked my interest at that certain moment. My interest with the stars and some philosophical churva (Gay lingo for all things in general).   Reading gives me a certain drive and inspiration ntonwrite as well.

Here's some links: https://www.mindfueldaily.com/livewell/9-deep-thoughts-on-stars

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3956114

  Me at work and on a good hair day..(tangent)

Off shoulder polo DIY

I love androgynous dressing  it's is equal parts feminine and masculine. It's  always feels liberating  to wear loose polo shirt in jeans and girly flats or stilleto.  Like Rihanna or Agyness Deyn..

Then I found this trend on how to DIY men's shirt into off shoulder dress. Trends are passing so I decided not to spend money as much as possible so I always rely on making pieces on my own and with the help of my Mom  or my aunt who are seamstress and lucky me my cousin Arlene is on vacation. She is working as a crew for a luxury ship and her last trip was in the US territories. She has a keen eye for fashion and has taken a course in the esteemed  fashion school SOFA in Manila. 

So I have to rummage through my fathers closet and ask for his not anymore used polo shirt. Knowing how my father loves his clothes it will take so much for him to give up his clothes like that.  This is what he gave me.

My cousin did not like the color since it's too pale and kinda looks old. But I'll post pic on how we cut the shirt. My cousin Arlene knows how to sew her Mom and also mine are seamstress or dressmakers  
 This is the look we're going for... so I have to look for another white shirt.. and finallyI was  able to wear it in one of my get together last Christmas with friends    fashion doesn't have to be expensive. After all trends come and go so we just gotta be practical about it... so there's a lot of DIY videos on how to do stuff like this one.. and it's really simple . For this shirt, you just have to cut the upper part including the collar and then sew the part where you need to entertain the garter. And tads! You have a new shirt/dress..

Next time I'm embracing  the pajama lifestyle...