The holiday season is an exciting time — bright lights, colorful lanterns, and the jolliest songs fill the atmosphere. Although it is something we look forward to, truth be told, the Christmas can be a battlefield. If the shopping frenzy and long queues were not nerve-racking enough, the frustrations of looking for the perfect Christmas gift will definitely get you at wits' end.
You see, the only reason why I dread the holiday season is because I know I am a bad gift giver. I spend too much time trying to figure out what my recipient really wants that sometimes it drains all the energy in me and I become exhausted, mentally and physically.
So what do you think is the best Christmas gift idea? I swear, I could list a hundred items but different strokes for different folks. What I think is the best for me may not apply for you. And what I think is the best for my recipients, is not what they actually have in mind.
Finding the perfect gift can be quite challenging. But if you are in the brink of exhaustion and stuck looking for a gift, here's something that can help you brainstorm for that best gift idea.
You see, the only reason why I dread the holiday season is because I know I am a bad gift giver. I spend too much time trying to figure out what my recipient really wants that sometimes it drains all the energy in me and I become exhausted, mentally and physically.
So what do you think is the best Christmas gift idea? I swear, I could list a hundred items but different strokes for different folks. What I think is the best for me may not apply for you. And what I think is the best for my recipients, is not what they actually have in mind.
I got hives and the itch is really killing me. But I'd take the hives any day than spend 15 minutes in Facebook where my blood pressure can shoot up to an alarming level from all those political posts on my feed today.
But before the hypertension turns into brain cancer because I can't seem to get myself off Facebook, I'll share with you the weekend that has really been crazy.
I was invited to a La Germania roadshow last Saturday and in the middle of our activity, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook our city. The event had to be discontinued and we were all asked to evacuate the mall.
But before the hypertension turns into brain cancer because I can't seem to get myself off Facebook, I'll share with you the weekend that has really been crazy.
I was invited to a La Germania roadshow last Saturday and in the middle of our activity, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook our city. The event had to be discontinued and we were all asked to evacuate the mall.
Life, lately, has not been exactly boring nor exciting. But all is well. I can't promise I'll be back writing up a storm again but I will post a few shit no one cares about to let you know I'm still alive.
Here's what I've been up to lately.
1. Sleep
I'm the type of person who sleeps at 2am, wakes up at 5am, and can still function normally like how a person who had a good night's rest does. But lately, I'm getting at least 6 hours of sleep and I love how it does wonders in making me look fresh in the morning.
Here's what I've been up to lately.
1. Sleep
I'm the type of person who sleeps at 2am, wakes up at 5am, and can still function normally like how a person who had a good night's rest does. But lately, I'm getting at least 6 hours of sleep and I love how it does wonders in making me look fresh in the morning.
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| Squinting made me look sleepy though. |
So maybe today, I'll just talk about my short hair because blogging about things that do not help the society in any way sure as hell beats scrolling down Facebook aimlessly for hours (I'll leave Facebook one day and move to Reddit, I promise).
I was born with a naturally straight, super fine, no volume hair. And for three years, I've been cutting my own hair because it didn't matter if I looked shaggy or not. Sometimes, I wish I had that grunge hair or I can pull off that messy bun. But my hair simply just untangles and tames itself before I could even say "comb".
I never really had a bad hair day until I saw this:
December last year, two of my closest girl friends from the same circle had their weddings on the same day, same time, but different places. Sounds impossible but, yes, we were able to make it to both wedding ceremonies and receptions.
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| December 28, 2017. Claire and Karren's wedding. |
And just recently, two of my closest guy friends invited me to their weddings on the same day and same time. How I wish I could pull off the same stunt I did before. But one wedding was held three hours away from where I live. An attempt to do another Kage Bunshin No Jutsu is certainly futile at this time.
This entry was supposed to be for the color run I was too excited about, but that didn't happen. And that's not even the worst part yet. There was a bit of lashing from disappointed and frustrated participants and we, the bloggers who promoted the event, were somehow caught in the crossfire. I would have loved to talk shit about it since my pre-event post has convinced a fair few people to join. But as a courtesy, I'm keeping my mouth shut until the organizer issues a public official statement - to which as of this writing is still zero, zilch, zip, nada!
This is why I preferred keeping this blog clean from sponsors and ads. Somehow I took the bait and now I feel a little pressured to consistently update this blog with POSITIVE content. I definitely miss those times when I had tons of shit to say without feeling a single ounce of guilt or worry. But right now, that's not going to happen.
This is why I preferred keeping this blog clean from sponsors and ads. Somehow I took the bait and now I feel a little pressured to consistently update this blog with POSITIVE content. I definitely miss those times when I had tons of shit to say without feeling a single ounce of guilt or worry. But right now, that's not going to happen.
So before this entry turns into a pretty useless rant, I think I'll just share a pretty useless outfit post.
I do not have a sweet tooth. And that basically means, when it comes to desserts and sweet treats, I am too hard to please.
While everybody drools at the sight of a cake or a doughnut, I have this uncanny ability to shrug off or worse, refuse sweets. Yeah, sue me. This puts people in panic mode like it's a crime not to like sweets or something, and with unbelieving eyes, they ask, "are you on a diet?!"
Oh boy, if that slice of chocolate cake were 2 pounds of crabs or bacon, I'd eat the sh*t out of it.
It's not that I do not eat sweets. I have few favorites as a matter of fact. It's just that, I have uncommon preferences. I want something that's dominantly bitter or sour - if that still counts as sweet. And usually, these are special & limited edition, seasonal, locally unavailable (like Boracay's triple strawberry crepe. sigh), and mostly, expensive.
Today, we have a new doughnut in town.
Krispy Kreme, together with Malagos Chocolate, brings us a whole new level of chocolate experience with Dark Chocolate Glitz! This newest addition to the premium doughnut collection is exclusively available in Krispy Kreme Davao stores for only Php 49 each.
That’s good news for Davaoeños, especially for dark chocolate-lovin' people like me. But I really hope this doughnut is not exclusive for the Kadayawan Festival only because it's going to break my heart far worse than watching the last episode of Brooklyn Nine-nine if these were gone before Cardo Dalisay dies. This is definitely a new favorite. I love that it's not too bitter and not too sweet. Just right.
I hate to say it, but I just devoured 3 pieces of these doughnuts in one sitting and I'm still craving for more. Well, there goes my fitness goals. If you see me writing about getting broke and being diagnosed with diabetes, blame it to this doughnut. Haaay stahp! How can one food make me happy and sad at the same time?
While everybody drools at the sight of a cake or a doughnut, I have this uncanny ability to shrug off or worse, refuse sweets. Yeah, sue me. This puts people in panic mode like it's a crime not to like sweets or something, and with unbelieving eyes, they ask, "are you on a diet?!"
Oh boy, if that slice of chocolate cake were 2 pounds of crabs or bacon, I'd eat the sh*t out of it.
It's not that I do not eat sweets. I have few favorites as a matter of fact. It's just that, I have uncommon preferences. I want something that's dominantly bitter or sour - if that still counts as sweet. And usually, these are special & limited edition, seasonal, locally unavailable (like Boracay's triple strawberry crepe. sigh), and mostly, expensive.
Today, we have a new doughnut in town.
Krispy Kreme, together with Malagos Chocolate, brings us a whole new level of chocolate experience with Dark Chocolate Glitz! This newest addition to the premium doughnut collection is exclusively available in Krispy Kreme Davao stores for only Php 49 each.
That’s good news for Davaoeños, especially for dark chocolate-lovin' people like me. But I really hope this doughnut is not exclusive for the Kadayawan Festival only because it's going to break my heart far worse than watching the last episode of Brooklyn Nine-nine if these were gone before Cardo Dalisay dies. This is definitely a new favorite. I love that it's not too bitter and not too sweet. Just right.
I hate to say it, but I just devoured 3 pieces of these doughnuts in one sitting and I'm still craving for more. Well, there goes my fitness goals. If you see me writing about getting broke and being diagnosed with diabetes, blame it to this doughnut. Haaay stahp! How can one food make me happy and sad at the same time?
I started to purge my closet and got rid of the clothes I no longer wear. Most of my clothes are ukay-ukay, so I have this bad habit of buying anything since it's really cheap because I know I won't feel bad about it even if it's something I probably wouldn't wear. I sorted them according to frequency of use and unsurpsingly, I got more clothes I have not worn and don't remember at all.
My role as a Vice President of Davao's premier blogging community will be interacting with PR managers and probably big names from known brands. My usual jeans and shirt would be too underwhelming. And I hate to think that I might sell myself short just because I have not made an effort to look, if not impressive, at least presentable. Bad impressions have higher chances of breaking deals, you know.
Last Thursday, I did the unthinkable.
Most of them are chic, really.
I have not worn my classic closet staples lately and I have no plans of wearing them unless necessary. I thought of just tossing them in the box with the intention of donating it (my clothes are not shabby, I promise) for a total wardrobe change.
My role as a Vice President of Davao's premier blogging community will be interacting with PR managers and probably big names from known brands. My usual jeans and shirt would be too underwhelming. And I hate to think that I might sell myself short just because I have not made an effort to look, if not impressive, at least presentable. Bad impressions have higher chances of breaking deals, you know.
Last Thursday, I did the unthinkable.
I went out to catch up with my college buddies wearing a cropped top in public for the first time (midriffs during cheerdance performances are not counted). Not that I'm saying I'll be wearing such when facing brands and managers because that's not gonna happen. But what I'm trying to say is, I upped my style recently.
WARNING: PHOTOS OVERLOAD
There was a reason why I was always broke the past few months. It was only last April when I finally made up my mind to go with Jan, bought the tickets in May, and flew a month after. So that's almost three months of fighting the urge to buy milk tea, refusing fast foods, declining Friday night invitations, and pretending Shopee does not exist.
This is the fourth time Jan and I went out of the country, second time in Singapore, and the first time we did it with the family.
A lot of things happened and I wouldn't really want to put everything in detail because that's going to take forever. But here are some snaps during our trip. I may have to create separate posts for the Trick Eye Museum, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Flower Dome, but given my pseudo-busy schedule, we all know that's not happening any time soon. So for now, I hope you enjoy looking at these photos.
Universal Studios
There was a reason why I was always broke the past few months. It was only last April when I finally made up my mind to go with Jan, bought the tickets in May, and flew a month after. So that's almost three months of fighting the urge to buy milk tea, refusing fast foods, declining Friday night invitations, and pretending Shopee does not exist.
This is the fourth time Jan and I went out of the country, second time in Singapore, and the first time we did it with the family.
A lot of things happened and I wouldn't really want to put everything in detail because that's going to take forever. But here are some snaps during our trip. I may have to create separate posts for the Trick Eye Museum, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Flower Dome, but given my pseudo-busy schedule, we all know that's not happening any time soon. So for now, I hope you enjoy looking at these photos.
Universal Studios
After more than a month of wearing dresses, squarepants, and all things chic because I felt the need to dress my age (my style has always been juvenile and has not changed since high school), I conclude that denim jeans are the least comfortable clothes ever.
Okay, the "need to dress my age" part is not true at all. I was, honestly, left with no choice because all my clothes are still in the laundry, and that includes all the four jeans I have.
I finally understood why some women do not like wearing jeans. All this time I was led to believe that these closet staples are the comfiest, being conservative and non-restrictive to movement, but my whole life has been a lie.
Okay, the "need to dress my age" part is not true at all. I was, honestly, left with no choice because all my clothes are still in the laundry, and that includes all the four jeans I have.
I finally understood why some women do not like wearing jeans. All this time I was led to believe that these closet staples are the comfiest, being conservative and non-restrictive to movement, but my whole life has been a lie.
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| I love how this hangs like a skirt but is actually pants. I hope this style lasts a long time because I'd like to make it my closet staple like how I did with jeans. |
I know I've made bad life choices when I was young that I regret until this very day. Plucking and shaving my armpit hair when my mom told me to leave it alone, for example.
The years of plucking and shaving left ugly, tiny bumps on my armpits that would not go away no matter what product I used. For someone who prefers to wear tank tops, sleeveless shirts, or anything presko like me, it feels better to forget about covering up the problem area and simply wear whatever I want. So despite all the products that failed me, I never gave up and found ways on achieving that smooth and beautiful underarm.
The years of plucking and shaving left ugly, tiny bumps on my armpits that would not go away no matter what product I used. For someone who prefers to wear tank tops, sleeveless shirts, or anything presko like me, it feels better to forget about covering up the problem area and simply wear whatever I want. So despite all the products that failed me, I never gave up and found ways on achieving that smooth and beautiful underarm.
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| Raise those arms with confidence! (Also, the lights and camera settings make it appear I'm fair-skinned. I am not.) |
"Miss, may bigger size kayo nito?"
"Ilang taon po ang susuot, maam?"
"10."
I lied.
"Ilang taon po ang susuot, maam?"
"10."
I lied.
The shirt was for me.
I remember during my freshman year in high school, I saw a batch of seniors who were standing in neat rows under the heat of the sun. They looked cool in their combat boots and fatigue, except, they were more like puppies to me than soldiers. They're pretty good at obeying commands. Sit, roll over, drop and play dead, or whatever the commanding officer tells them to. I watched them every Friday and told myself I've already been potty-trained since 2, I don't need new tricks, and I'm never going to be a trained pup. And the only way to elude the comedy and horror of Preparatory Military Training (PMT) is to be part of a varsity team.
Sarah, we care about you and the memories you share here. We thought you'd like to look back on this post from 8 years ago.
Damn! I hope Facebook will stop "caring" because On This Day memories usually remind me of the bad decisions I made, people I'm no longer interested dealing with, and the dumb things I hope I never posted.
On the flip side, some memories are indeed worth looking back. This photo for example:
Damn! I hope Facebook will stop "caring" because On This Day memories usually remind me of the bad decisions I made, people I'm no longer interested dealing with, and the dumb things I hope I never posted.
On the flip side, some memories are indeed worth looking back. This photo for example:
One thing I hate about driving is getting through traffic. So I rely on music to stretch my patience and keep my cool. Right now, if there's one thing I get excited about driving, it's going to be this:
