Holy Week Staycation = Instagr.am

So I can't seem to fall asleep. Though when I told myself last night that I'd take a nap, I slept until the next day. Yes, my body clock is screwing me over.

Anyway, I'd like to explain the title. Holy Week is an awaited part of the year for every Filipino [whether you're a catholic or not]. Mainly due to the fact that you're given nearly a week off from work/school. It's traditional for families to journey and spend this time together, giving thanks or just basically having a short vacation. Everyone seems too be on the road back to the province or to some getaway touristy location. 

Well, everyone except me and a couple of people I know. I do not choose to travel during this time, cause I don't like crowds. [One of my biggest pet peeves when travelling is the noisy call center agent group that won't let other people sleep as they loudly flaunt some of the English that they have. This is usually a group of girls trying to get the attention of some foreigner in the same vehicle and....*forcefully ends rant*] I am the type of traveler that likes getting lost and being immersed in my destination. So, off peak travelling is more of my thing. Oh another thing is that since everyone is travelling, everything is booked, there's traffic everywhere and everything is a hassle. So during this time I stay in and have myself a staycation (stay-in vacation). 

During this year's Holy Week Staycation, I was able to do the following things: 

1. Teach! Chemistry moreover. Since, I had no work to attend to and my former student needed help with some homework and her regular tutor was out. I was more than happy to take the job. As weird as it is, I loved the 6 hours we spent researching and answering Chemistry problems [I hate Chemistry btw.]. I also loved the chance to catch up. She's definitely grown but I'm really glad she's a happy kiddo now. Let me just say that I miss being a student[and a tutor]!

Me And Brina

2. Midnight Coffee Bonding. One night, Arck and I got stuck in a deserted Eastwood City. Good thing Aya was there too so we had a nice midnight gab session. I like Manila when it's quiet. Arck and I hung out a lot over the weekend. Since, we had opposite work hours we haven't spent as much time together. So here's a snippet of what we did: 

 

When you find someone that doesn't mind your weirdness and you guys can be weird together then there's definitely some love there.

3. Ninang Bonding. I also got to visit my best friend, Mai, and her twins. We had a lot of catching up to do and I missed her little girls. I wanted to get her some Gong Cha before I got to their place but the establishment was out for the entire weekend. I ended up bringing pizza instead. 

Me and Leigh

4. Hacking: An Old Habit. As a child I liked tinkering with things. Sooner or later this tinkering moved into the nitty-gritty workings of computers and electronics. I have never tried hacking a phone before but once I heard that Instagr.am was released in Google Play, I had to have it. So I read around and initially bricked my phone but I was able to fix it and upgrade it to a compatible Android version. So the pictures below are ones I've taken with Instagr.am of our Holy Weekend:

   

 

And I've been active ever since. As much as I want to bring my DSLR everyday, it's not really allowed at work. I appreciate Instagr.am cause I finally found an avenue for my everyday mundane documentations. It's turned into a look book of what I'm wearing, what I find funny, what I'm reading and an avenue for me to practice my photography in terms of composition. So if you guys are interested, you can follow me on Instagr.am. I am @xylith. Here are some other pics from my mesh of material there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My current read.

Not too bad with the post processing effects that Instagr.am has already incorporated but I use another app for post processing on my phone. That's Photoshop Express and Photoshake if you guys are wondering. 

So I'm going to crawl back into bed and try to fall asleep again. Wish me luck.  

Mapping Out 2012

Just before I dish out another backlog post. Let me just list out what 12 things I've decided to accomplish for 2012:

1. Save Save Save - Seeing that I spent a lot last year. I am determined to be thrifty and wiser this year.
2. More Travel - Yes, more places please.
3. Get Driver's License - and car if possible but I'd like to start small.
4. Be healthier - My last check up was a definite wake up call.
5. Join and participate in a Photography Group - I need to share this hobby to help me grow. 
6. Bookworm - Read more and collect more! Sales here I come.
7. Share Freedom - There are people that need my help and I'm not even looking to far. I hope to be a big impact for improvement in their life. 
8. Post Post Post - be a more active writer whether its blogging, journal writing or contributing.
9. Swim better - if I want to be a better surfer I gotta be a better swimmer. 
10. Get a Passport - I want to be ready for a travel filled 2013 (outside the country)
11. Four Strong Years - with what happened between me and Arckham last year. I am more than proud we made it to number 4.
12. Out Grow and Grow Out - I think it's time to have more space for me and more me space. 

So 2011 was not as amazing as I had actually wanted it to be, but I learned a lot and I experienced a lot that made me a better person. Apparently, this 2012 is the year of the Dragon. This dragon wants to make the most of this year. 2012, hear me roar and watch me soar!

Pardon Me

Hello, World.

It's definitely been quite awhile since my last update and believe me I have been pushing myself to post but things kept getting in the way. That and the fact that I am a professional procrastinator.

The first quarter had gone by and I have not updated at all. In my opinion, this is beyond acceptable. So thankfully, the writing bug has finally bitten me [that must be it since I don't see my muse around] and I'm not about to let it go. So the next few posts are going to be backlog-slash-shotgun posts. I still do hope you enjoy them. I have this plan laid out that up until the month of April events in my life will be tackled on a monthly rehash.

It's 4 am. I can't sleep. I've been sick the past few days but look at me online and writing. I do believe it is due to the Mountain Dew.

To get the ball rolling, let's start with a quick update: I've started experimenting with post processing techniques and started taking self portraits again. [Check it out below.]

On my way to Mulberry Suites, Cagayan de Oro

So dudes and dudettes, get ready for a flurry of backlog posts this weekend. 

Christmas Shopping 101

Before anything:

Happy Holidays!

Over the weekend, Arckham and I had places to be and people to see which basically required us to go around the metro. The heavy traffic we faced was close to stand stills and the rather annoying part is that it was EVERYWHERE. We went from Ortigas to Diliman to Quezon Ave and finally Blumentritt. Let me just say that every step of the way was frustrating and to top it all off it rained. Gah! [Picky cab drivers were also of no help]

In the least, I was thankful we weren't heading to the mall.

Let's all learn from this years traffic clog. According to PUV drivers, the traffic is due to people who are basically doing last minute Christmas Shopping. Let me just say that this is something I do NOT practice. Here are the reasons why:

1. The Crowds - it's hard to pick a present for the people on my list if I am frustrated mainly because people are all in the malls. It's crowded, stuffy, smelly and everyone is irritable. 
2. The Poor Quality Products - with the amount of people in the mall purchasing things, everything you are likely to get would either be defective or would probably be lacking sizes since the early bird probably got the better quality products already. 
3. Low Quality of Service - More over, with the influx of people to be catered to the sales ladies/gentlemen are too tired and also highly irritable and would really not pay as much attention to you as compared to a few weeks before.
4. Prices Are Hiked - as much as you would like to tell yourself it's Christmas and there's a sale sign, the items you buy are 10%-20% more than their regular price. [Believe me, I canvass before I buy anything]

See? *shivers*

I also do not understand why this happens? I mean there are so many other and better ways to shop nowadays. [Yes, even on a busy schedule.] Moreover, Christmas Bonuses are given on the later part of November to the 1st week of December which gives people a lot of time to budget, canvass and shop.

For those who want to lessen the stress of Christmas Shopping in 2012, here are a few good practices I've been doing over the years:

1. Make a list. Always organize who you're going to be blessing this Christmas. This helps you not forget or miss anyone during the season of giving. 
2. Budgeting. Always function on a budget. [on everything and not just this season actually] Make sure that you are not going to stretch your funds thinly over the season. Think about it this way, buying gifts over paying your bills should never be the case.  It is not a pretty picture once Christmas Eve comes along and you don't have electricity or food prepared. 
3. Brainstorming. Now that you have your budget, start thinking of what the people on your list need/want this Christmas season. Yes, it is the thought that counts so let's make an effort. This is also a good starting point so that you are not aimless wandering the malls and wondering what to give to people on your list. [Make sure that what you get them is within your budget] 
4. Canvass. You actually don't necessarily need to go around at all. Check stores online and also make sure to take note of prices in order to compare and get the best buys. Most stores located in malls would have websites and contact details, go ahead and use these resources to your advantage. Once you've decided, have it reserved and pick it up or delivered. Sometimes, you don't need to purchase your gifts. You can make them yourself or even give away things you don't really use. [Like that top that really isn't really your style but looks great on your best bud.]
5. Wrapping. Yes this is part of the process. Here's the part where you also can save money. Remember those old magazines you no longer read? Brochures that are no longer useful? Posters? Left over wrappers from the previous year? Well, start using those to wrap your gifts. Get creative. I believe you would find this rather relaxing. [I do]

If you do come up with a budget, don't forget to include yourself. After all, you had been a good shopper and deserve a little treat. For me this year, it's a set of rings from Charm Bin. I really love the items that CB releases. It's fun, laid back and I can sport it at work. CB has good value for money [at times, also a amazing bargains and finds]. Transactions are easy and  they are also very accommodating. [Specially to busy girls like me.] I definitely recommend them for stress free shopping.

So here's [one] of my Christmas Gifts to myself:

 

I am loving it. Thanks, Charm Bin!

During Halloween

A late Happy Halloween to one and all. I hope you all enjoyed it.

Despite the long weekend here in my country, I was not able to travel or head home like everyone else. Mainly due to the following things: Dimitri rendering me broke [plus tuition fees that needed paying], I'm sick and I just didn't feel like competing with everyone intent on traveling home. So, I bonded with the internet at home.

First thing I did was to visit my different accounts and update their respective looks. I actually do this [at least once] every year just after my birthday. I believe that in my life it's the new year and I want things to look and feel new. Hence, I update my profile information [informing people that I'm older :P] and page layouts.

Plurk

So, yes my Plurk page looks like you turned the light on on the last layout and also looks like the home page of Twitter.com. *laughs*

Twitter

I love my Twitter layout! It's a very nice CG of the beach which is currently one my favorite places.

Multiply

As most of you would know, I really haven't give much thought to my Multiply site in a long time. [I think it's been more than a year already] Since I was on an update frenzy, I decided to tweak it as well and change the layout. Though as to whether or not I should update it is another matter entirely. It used to be my photo dump but right now, I really don't know what to do with it. Should I start posting photos there again? To post or not to post that is the question.

And of course, for blogger, you can check out ArXy's new header and scroll back up for to see my new header as well. [If you noticed all the pictures I used up there are from the same shoot including my profile picture.]

Despite staying in, I think this is very productive long weekend. Arckham and I also started playing Dragon Nest just to check it out one afternoon. Now we are both officially working our way up the levels. We are on our gamer modes again. [We're in SpringWood, if you guys are interested to join us]

That's all I did. [and sleep and eat and watch TV and practice photography of course and... :P] How was your weekend?

Copper Streaks

Since we are approaching the middle of summer and the summer heat is in an all time high, my sporting long locks was becoming irritating, Moreover, since I grew my hair straight out, it turned out boring. [Which is something I don't like. I am a fan of funky hair.] To remedy the situation, I looked into some resource photos and got a new cut.

So, I wanted something new without losing the length of my hair. I also wanted bangs since it reminded me of my sister who I sorely miss. [Bangs are adorable on her!] So, I looked for funky bangs and layered hair. Though, I do think that the funky bangs won't be enough to revamp my look so I decided to have streaks of color running through my hair, hence, the highlights. I originally wanted red, purple or blue but for the sake of work, I settled for copper. It's a little reddish but not too much.

I had this done at Index Salon: Lifehomes. My hairdresser was Sherwin. [I think he was the manager]. Anyway, I would just like to share what I went through since this would be the first time I ever had my hair colored.

First, was the hair cut to get the bangs and the layered hair I was aiming for. Then start picking the hair to highlight and bleach it:

   

After bleaching, the color was set  in:

  

And lastly, modification to the hair cut. Here's the final product:

   

Thanks, Sherwin. 

Reading Teh Interwebs

I stayed up all night and read blogs that were bookmarked on my Chrome. I can definitely say I've missed a lot. I think my friends have a whole new life now, I seriously need some catching up time. [Note to self: Reach out and let the world know you are still alive.]

A few things I discovered during my blog hopping:

1. I've removed ALL-NEW MATH from my blog roll since Craig had already stopped the blog. Good Luck on the project. Thanks for helping quantify Life. Reader, if you have time, it would be good for you to check it out before it completely goes off the web.
2. While reading through Tumblr, I stumbled upon this. And I couldn't agree more. As much as possible, less post processing the better IMO.
3. It's nearly done, so I guess I should get reading on The Top 1000 Awesome Things.
4. The Zelda Project (whose link I also added to the blog roll) was brought to my attention by one of the people (my favorite cosplayer) I follow on DeviantArt. It's 3/3 combo for me. It has great photography, great cosplay and old school gaming. This project is definitely worth supporting. Oh how I wish I was there to help.
5. Kung may Tunay na Lalaki, may Tunay na Chicks. And my favorite so far: "Ang tunay na chicks, kayang magre-format ng PC."
6.  Lastly, I am still at awe at how people come up with Art and more over great ideas.  I stumbled upon Eli Klein. The works produced are amazing. I hope by some weird chance I get to meet him some day.

Alright, so that's it for tonight. I wish you all a good day ahead. This vampire will now hit the hay. Check out those links while I nap.

Hello Pierre!

So yes, I am back. I have done a lot of things over the past three days to have some semblance of a life.

Since, I've been going to work during Sundays in the last few weeks, I was given 3 days off from work to reset my weekends. What I did was pour my heart out into the different accounts that I have in order to revive them.

And thanks to Pierre [my laftaf] and Photoshop Creative Suite 5, we have accomplished the following:

1. Plurk:

2. Twitter:

3. Friendster [*le gasp* Yes, I still have it since I like tinkering with it.]

4. Deviant Art:

5. Arxy:

6. Of Black Clouds and Not Only Silver Linings

It's back to the office tomorrow. Oh well. In the least, lots of things accomplished this weekend.

By the way, DQ already started this, I plan to start now. we both had a deal on twitter to update our blogs at least once a week. So watch out for those posts :-)

Thank You 22.

This is me at midnight:

Yeap, start of my 22nd year on earth was on the job. Oh well, I wanted everything I needed to be done finished before I left to have my one day of rest. [Sadly, no I was not able to finish everything but I made a dent on the things I needed to do in the least]

Yes, it's been quite a long time since I blogged. I got way too busy. Oh well, at least it's work and it's earning me a living and keeping me alive. 

I spent the rest of the day in bed and had some one on one time with myself. I had my nails done and went to the mall to window shop for Christmas presents [I always made sure that I start to budget my Christmas spending right after my birthday.] 

Though that Christmas post will be for some other time. 

Anyway, since I turned 22. I wanted to share with you how much my life has changed over the last year by sharing 22 things that I am thankful I have now.

Let's do this...

22. Corby Pro - Mainly because this is my new buddy. It's my hard earned reward for all the things I've been doing. Though, as my dad taught me this is a tool for me to be better and get somewhere, not necessarily something to flash around. [Still, it's nice that it's pretty.]

21. Wendy's - Since, it's not Mcdo *laughs*. It's my birthday meal today. 

20. CDR King - for all the cheap [technical] life support they give me. I mean I can't help it but this store has made things bearable-slash-affordable for me. From the music pumping into my system that keeps me alive during my long commute up until the screen protector I just bought.  

19. Sky Broadband - enough said. [3 mbps.. nummy]

18. Full night's sleep - because it's been a very rare occurrence lately.

17. Opportunities - because without any of those opportunities I would not have experience numbers 19-22. I think it's good that I learned to grab opportunities [with calculated risks of course] and make the best out of them. [I think I owe this to my upbringing but more to the environment I grew up in.]

16. Perseverance - because without this, I wouldn't be here right now. I wouldn't be happy if I didn't see this until the end. From the very low points in my 21st year to the skyrocketing improvement now that I'm 22, this is all because I persevered. 

15. Principles - that I have due to it that if I didn't stand by what I believe in I would still probably be stuck in a place where I was itching to get out of. I am thankful for principles has been instilled in me for it keeps me grounded.

14. Hope - because I was so close to losing it but it's still here. I continue to hope.

13. Health - because with the lack of number 18, the mere fact that I'm not yet dead is a sheer miracle. [Of course, I'm exaggerating...I think] Nevertheless, I am thankful for my health that I am still well and that I would continue to be.

12. Employment - because it's something that not everyone would have. I'm happy in my current company because despite the long work hours at least all of it is compensated both by triumphs and finances. I'm glad I'm employed and am with a great company.

11. Promotion - not necessarily due to the compensation but more of the recognition that you performed well and are worthy of that recognition by your peers and superiors. It's like graduation all over again. 

10. CompetiTEAM - because they are such great people! I enjoy work because they are there. I am glad that they've got my back and I've got theirs. I could have not asked for a better team.

Though this is not only for my core team but for the people that we work with and I've gotten to know. I admire you all for your great work ethic and for the patience you've shown me as I improve myself and learn the skills necessary to become an asset in this company. Moreover for bearing with me as I keep asking questions. XD

9. Noreen and Mai - because no matter how much time passes these two understand me to the core. [I miss you both!]

8. Bookclub - they have been there through the confusion of puberty. The pains of growing up and of course the support in the real world. They have accepted me for all the craziness and weirdness in me. For giving me the best conversations and real love. [I will see you guys in December?]

7. Chicas - cause no matter how diverse we are, we most definitely are made to be friends. From the stress of college to the stress of the real world, I wouldn't have been where I am now if not for my chicas.

Then and Now

6. Pointy Points - because they have been such a blessing to me. Putting up with me and opening their doors to me. Gian to all points: you do not know how grateful I am for all that you've done. [I promise to do chores on my next off XD] 

5. Dad - because for his commitment to be a dad to us, no matter how hard the situation is. For being my confidant and best friend and my Father. Faja, I love you.

4. Siblings - because no matter what, we stick together. I maybe far away but I am affected. I am doing everything I am doing right now for things to get better. My soulmates since birth, I want you guys to know I love you and that I promise to do the best that I can to make things better. 

with our best buds since diapers XD

3. Love - because without this, I would probably be a very bitter, angry and hostile person. I would never know what it is to have someone stand beside you until you came into my life and really just stood by me through all the hell that has been raised against us. As I've always said, real love and real food what more can I ask for? [Thanks for cooking and waking me up XD]

2. Courage - because without that first step I would have never ever have started walking on my own. 

1. God - for guiding me and watching over me and just being there. I don't think I would even be writing this if He didn't allow it so. For all the wisely unanswered prayers, thanks Big G. 

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, would be 22. Good night!