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.  

My ZALORA Wishlist

Arckham and I just reached our 4th year together last April 23 2012. I am of course super happy that we have come this far. [I love you, Arck!] 

Anyway, we haven't quite celebrated yet. Mainly due to the fact that we are both working and we have other responsibilities [money wise that is], moreover our shifts are in opposite hours. That's right, he works at night and I work in the day time. You now probably have an idea of how little time we spend together. We have a joke about this saying that we barely see each other... at the same time. ;P This is since he sees me when I'm asleep which would be at night and I see him when he's asleep which would be during the day. 

Basically, we wouldn't last this long if we didn't put time and effort into our relationship. Hence, we figured that the best time for us to bond would be when I get home from work and right before he starts his shift at night. Which is why our dates as of late have been slotted for dinner. Arckham and I are rarely picky about the food as long as it's good and affordable and we're together then we're both happy and so are our tummies.  

Though, I wanted to do something special seeing that we've reached a milestone in our relationship. Nothing too fancy, just a nice dinner where were both dressed up nicely in a nice place. That's why I was really excited when Nuffnang and ZALORA started the My ZALORA Wishlist Campaign and is giving me a chance to make a part of my dream anniversary celebration come true. I'm an avid online shopper[I mean with a schedule like mine definitely a big help not having to walk around all the time just to shop.] so I signed up for ZALORA and checked out their awesome pieces where I made a wishlist. 

I picked out these pieces not just for me but also for my boyfriend as well [They have a great selection for men]. The key thing that I paid attention to is that pieces should be something I can wear from work and straight into a date and in his case from a date and straight into the office. It's casual but chic and classy. 

So here are the things I would love to have for our 4th Anniversary Dinner: 

1.  This Gibi H2082 for Arckham. I took into consideration how it looks with slacks and the comfort that he would also be needing since he'll still be spending a full shift after our dinner.

2.  This nice Jacket by Merger. It's called a Zipper Hidden Flap Pocket since there are 2 Zipper Pockets and 2 Flap pockets on the chest area. I like the style and the details of this item. It's casual without being overly so.  It's also very functional since I know that he would be needing a jacket to stay warm in a 16degree environment at the office.
3. This perfect pair of Button Toe Heels by Everbest. Since, I can sport it at work and it's comfy enough to be moving around in the office for 8 hours before our dinner. Plus its simple elegance is what really draws it to me.
4.  This AMY Empire Pleatted Dress by Nana G which can be both fun and business casual at the same time. It also matches Arck's Merger jacket since the skirt is not too casual but still quaint.
5.  I chose this shoulder bag by The Little Things She Needs since it would be able to pull the entire outfit together. It's also big enough for me to carry my DSLR for me to take photographs during our anniversary dinner. Plus it also matches the shoes. :D

I really want all these pieces together so that Arckham and I would just need to worry about where and what to eat. I would really like to make this dinner special by not worrying what we're going to wear and just focus on each other. I really want these pieces to complete our evening and make it something awesome. 

And if you're looking for a great place to shop, check out ZALORA where all the above pieces came from 

[credits to ZALORA for the photographs as well]. They have a great selection and awesome payment plans. [I totally love the COD and 3 Hour Delivery feature.] Click on their badge below and create your own wishlist: 

Oh and just a quick note before I got cross my fingers for this one: when you sign up for ZALORA's newsletter you get a PHP 250.00 rebate on your next purchase. Awesome isn't it?