You're waiting for someone to put you together
You're waiting for someone to push you away
There's always another wound to discover
There's always something more you wish he'd say
- Everything You Want
Vertical Horizon Live in Manila
28 April 2012
SMART - Araneta Coliseum
Enthralling. Enchanting. Captivating.
It was 2004. One of the best moments in my life is when, after a long and rigorous screening process at the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) office, I was chosen to be one of the ten delegates to represent the Philippines to a youth conference held annually in Singapore called the Sunburst Youth Camp. In it, ten representatives from thirteen countries are invited to spend nine days in Singapore to share what it's like to be a teenager in our respective home countries.
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| Can you find me? ;p |
A good part of my second year in college was spent preparing for this camp. Of course, we were representing the Philippines so we had to make sure we behaved accordingly and appropriately. Our Saturdays were dedicated to weekly rehearsals and meetings, so of course it is inevitable that I became good friends with my co-delegates.
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| During the Welcome Dinner The two guys at the back are Cenen from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and Jayson from Philippine Women's University. And then, from left to right: Joanah from Jose Rizal University, Rhanney from Bulacan State University, Mikko from Jose Rizal University, Aldrin from Cagayan State University, Darryl from Centro Escolar University, Crystal from Assumption College, me, and Rose from Our Lady of Fatima University |
We stayed in the Regional English Language Center Hotel and our itineraries were filled with different activities that included exploring Singapore (we went to Outward Bound Singapore, the Night Safari, the Changi Museum, and pre-Universal Studios Sentosa, among others), learning about the other delegates' cultures and traditions (I wrote the required "What it's Like to be a Teenager in my Country" piece together with Aldrin), and of course, mingling. My roommates were Faith from Singapore and Tahn from Myanmar :)
The highlight of the camp was the Cultural Night wherein we performed the number we spent all those weeks preparing for. Guess what, we got a standing ovation!
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| It is one of the proudest moments of my life! :) |
My co-delegates and I were able to meet for a couple of times after the camp (especially Cenen who went to the same university as I did), but unfortunately as time went on, real life interfered and some of us got too busy with other things. I've lost contact with some of them, but thank God for social networking sites some of us were still able to communicate.
A couple of weeks ago, Crystal sent Cenen and me a message asking to meet up, and so, after seven looong years, we FINALLY did!
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| McDonald's in Singapore, December 2004 |
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| Sentro in Greenbelt, April 2012 |
Heehee I brought my old photo album (the real, tangible photo album, not Facebook album LOL, 3-megapixel digital camera FTW) to this outing, and we had a blast looking at our seven years-younger faces! As you can see, we tried to replicate our old poses haha. Can you spot the differences? Cenen and I are still wearing glasses, but now he's wearing braces too whereas mine and Crystal's have been removed already :D
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| We ordered Chicken Adobo, Pancit Palabok, Adobong Kangkong, and bottomless Sago't Gulaman |
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| Cenen also brought his dog Hachi. What a cutie-patootie! |
Aside from feasting on delicious Filipino food and catching up, we also made plans to see each other more in the next months. As what we've been (jokingly) planning since right after the camp, we made plans to visit Singapore again this year just for old times' sake and to touch base again with the place where we experienced our first taste of independence. Imagine going to a foreign country without your family and with just nine other teenagers and two CHED representatives as chaperones, isn't that scary? I was actually bawling my eyes out during my first night there even though I knew I would be back after nine days. Homesickness, what up. We're planning to go this August, and I am so excited! We're just waiting for another seat sale *cough*cheapskate*cough* and we're set!
Now all I have to do is make sure I save enough money. ;)
It was great to see you, Cenen and Crystal! Hope we could get the others to go with us, too! :)
The Parisian Blogger Challenge ends at 11:59PM today, and unless all my Facebook friends, relatives, and hundred thousand blog readers (hahaha) votes for me within these remaining 12 hours, I have accepted that I will not be one of the Top Three. Nevertheless, I am happy and grateful for this super awesome, ultra-cool experience that spawned these photos:
Those are just four of the many out-takes given to me, so yay for lots of pretty profile pictures ;)
I have always said I don't think I am telegenic at all, but I wanted to share these videos too just for fun:
Those are just four of the many out-takes given to me, so yay for lots of pretty profile pictures ;)
I have always said I don't think I am telegenic at all, but I wanted to share these videos too just for fun:
... and the Most Awkward Girl award goes to (dun dun dun dun):
Hahaha.
I must admit it's also super cool to see my face on national broadsheets:
I want to thank Parisian Shoes and Bags for this opportunity. I might not be one of the winners of the P20,000 shopping spree, but I'm being completely honest when I say being chosen as one of the participants is already a big prize in itself. I mean, I am just a simple girl who loves pretty little things and sharing them on the interwebs; I am not even conventionally pretty, but being chosen has given my self-esteem such a big boost :) And of course, HUGE THANKS AND POWER HUGS AND SWEET KISSES TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR ME!! Seeing your votes for me on my Facebook feeds has been overwhelming and I am truly grateful ♥ I LOVE YOU ALL!
PS: Today is also my lovely crafty friend's birthday. Why don't you hop on over to Meream's blog and leave a sweet greeting? :)
Hahaha.
I must admit it's also super cool to see my face on national broadsheets:
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| Philippine Daily Inquirer 13 April 2012 |
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| Philippine Star 15 April 2012 Blurb about me says "from Campus Sweetheart to Divine Diva" |
PS: Today is also my lovely crafty friend's birthday. Why don't you hop on over to Meream's blog and leave a sweet greeting? :)
Unbearable Manila heat makes me wish I can stay in the shower all day, but since I can't do that, I just make sure I'm armed with sunblock and dressed in comfortable clothing.
Here is what I wore to an event I attended for an online shopping site (I'll tell you more about it on a future post *wink*) earlier today:
Dress with yellow belt : BLUED | Bag - Tomato | Sandals : Grendha
It was love at first sight when I saw the "black-and-white stripes with red belt" version of this dress worn by a mannequin in BLUED yesterday that I - with my officemates Mich and Mommy Arnz - just had to go inside. I've passed by this shop in TriNoma so many times before but it was the first time I actually went in, and I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of nice (but affordable) clothes. Since I recently got a navy-and-cream striped maxi dress as a gift from another clothing brand, I decided to get this one instead while Mich got the black-and-white one. I love that it's made of cotton, it's light, and wearing it instantly makes me think of lovely, breezy summer days (very much unlike the hot and humid days we're currently having). It already comes with the yellow belt which gives a nice contrast to the cornflower blue and white stripes, but I can also use other belts depending on the look I'm going for. I LOVE IT.
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| Decided to pile on wrist accessories, and this is the result. |
Mustard yellow leather band - Penshoppe
Peace + Love bracelet - Anagon Collection
Heart charm bracelet - gift from my bestfriend Jerome on our high school graduation
Archie and Friends charm bracelet - bought years ago from an online shop
Peace + Love bracelet - Anagon Collection
Heart charm bracelet - gift from my bestfriend Jerome on our high school graduation
Archie and Friends charm bracelet - bought years ago from an online shop
Multi-charm ring : Maria Paulita
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| Fruit-tips OMG polish in Mojito |
I was planning on getting fino canes on eBay, good thing I didn't. I saw these cuties on one of my Landmark haunts and it's such a steal for only P29.75! I tried them on my nails yesterday, and this is the result. I know it looks messy, but it's my first time okay? I'll definitely practice so I can make better fruit-tips next time ;)
This is also my first outfit post showing the new haircut I got last week. It's the shortest pixie cut I've gotten yet and now I'm wondering how short I can go next time heehee.
By the way, have you ever wondered what goes on in outfit shoots like this? Here's a peek featuring my blogger-friends:
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| Sarah taking Pax's photo |
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| Shen taking Ana's photo |
I didn't see them for quite a while a week so I experienced withdrawal symptoms haha. I love these girls!
It's payday weekend and my birthmonth's ending in a couple of days! Whatever timezone you're in right now, I hope you're enjoying your Friday! ♥
Postura [noun]
Literally, it translates to posture. But colloquially, “posturang-postura” is an expression used
when someone looks very well dressed. We chose the name because we want
the Postura Project to showcase proud Filipinos garbed in local fashion.
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The hope for the Postura Project is to become a portal for Filipino branded fashion and locally inspired looks. Started by four fashionalism advocates Arriane Serafico, Knox Balbastro, Sarah Meier, and David Guison, it has a very simple mission. To get fellow Filipinos to start wearing something Filipino everyday.
To kick-start the movement, we’re posing a challenge to ourselves - to wear something Filipino everyday, for one whole month. This is to show how we’re loud and proud, and we firmly believe that “Made in the Philippines” can be young, fun, and fashionable. We show how it takes very little effort to incorporate a piece of Philippine fashion into your everyday outfit.
I remember being asked by our Christian Living teacher in one of our classes back in high school what three things I would like to have with me if I suddenly found myself deserted in an island, with boats not an option. My answers? A copy of my favorite book, a pillow, and a toothbrush. Yes, a toothbrush. Having worn braces and retainers for more than four years, dental hygiene is definitely a priority for me so I always make sure my teeth is taken good care of. (Unfortunately my teeth have mis-aligned again so I'm thinking of having braces again.)
A week ago, I attended an event hosted by Listerine and Nuffnang Philippines and learned that I've been brushing my teeth incorrectly my whole life x___x My brushing rituals include rinsing with water after, but according to Dr. Tessa, that means I'm just throwing all the fluoride away. A better method would be to rinse with mouthwash instead so your teeth become armed better against tooth decay. Do you know that tooth decay is among the top oral problems afflicting Filipinos? Everyone who has experienced toothache knows how crippling the pain can be so it really should be taken seriously. To thoroughly remove germs and prevent tooth decay, dentists recommend following a complete oral care routine, which includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash.
That's where Listerine comes in.
LISTERINE®, the worldwide leader in mouthwash, proudly presents its latest innovation – new LISTERINE® Natural Green Tea, the first and only mouthwash from LISTERINE® that contains natural green tea extract and two times more fluoride, for a natural way to fight tooth decay.
Fluoride and green tea are the two key ingredients to this innovation, both of which help to fight tooth decay. Dentists regularly recommend fluoride to fight tooth decay, due to its proven ability to strengthen enamel. Green tea may have established its popularity on the grounds of bodily health, but LISTERINE® recently discovered that green tea can also help fight tooth decay by killing bacteria and strengthening the teeth.
With these two naturally-inspired ingredients and the long-established efficacy of LISTERINE®, the new LISTERINE® Natural Green Tea works in two ways to fight tooth decay. First, it effectively kills 99.9% of the germs that cause tooth decay. Second, it helps shield teeth to prevent the onset of new tooth decay. With the new LISTERINE® Natural Green Tea, Filipinos can start fighting tooth decay the natural way.
Fighting tooth decay can now be as simple as a twice-a-day 30-second mouth rinse ;) I've actually been using this for almost a week now since we were given samples of our own to try, and I found myself liking it so much I will make sure it'll be part of my grocery list once my stash runs out. I like that it doesn't have to be diluted with water anymore, and I love the cleaner and fresher feeling it leaves my mouth even after a few hours. I have also shared with my officemates the tooth-brushing know-how I learned, and they've also been following it since :)
Very fittingly, the event was held in UMU Restaurant in Dusit Hotel, a restaurant that specializes in authentic Japanese cuisine.
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| Green tea ice cream |
Of course, it is always great to meet new friends :)
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| With Helen and Cai |
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| With Cai and Maggie |
I had a great time chatting with these lovely ladies and it felt like we've all known each other for so long! I hope we see each other again soon!
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| With the (tall) Arnie and Rovie |
Meanwhile, I felt so diminutive next to these ladies. It didn't help that I was just wearing ballet flats haha. Always nice to see Arnie, and it was great to finally meet the girl from my rival school (back in elementary and high school), Rovie. Thanks for dropping me and Maggie off at SM North. ♥
I love learning new things (big nerd alert) and meeting new people so, thanks to Listerine and Nuffnang for inviting me! :)
The new LISTERINE® Natural Green Tea
is now available in leading supermarkets, drugstores, and department stores for
Php70.25 (80ml) and Php166.50 (250ml).
Summer days are longer, and the temperature hotter. Here are some outfit choices to flaunt your chic summer look ;)
Stay in style, baggage limit or no baggage limit. What would it be - a romantic escape with your love, a night out in the city with your friends, or a fun afternoon with your family? Whatever is on your itinerary, Unarosa serves up a wide range of silhouettes in various prints and textures in a predominantly blue palette for an unforgettably fashionable summer.
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| Walk hand-in-hand on the shore with your beau in a sheer tail-hem dress or hit the country club with your girlfriends in a boho jumpsuit topped with a floppy hat. |
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| A chic knit cardigan over a versatile printed playsuit is the perfect pairing for Sunday family brunches . |
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| A sheer bell-sleeved polo shirt paired with hip-hugging carrot pants is just made to be worn on more laid-back trips. |
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| Dare to set a trend in a print-on-print ensemble by pairing a sheer abstract-printed tube top with tie-dye knee-length shorts. |
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| Flaunt a keen sense of fashion with the hot tribal trend in an Aztec-printed tunic and basic bandage skirt. |
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| Patterns and textures add dimension to a button-down blouse and pleated shorts in a neutral palette. |
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| For the wardrobe-building pieces that will last beyond the season, opt for an asymmetrical bell-sleeved top paired with a basic bandage skirt. |
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| You can also choose from form-fitting cocktail dresses |
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| ... or loose, layered dresses for any occasion. |
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| A touch of color is the best ode to a chic summer. I WANT THIS DRESS SO BAD. |
Packing light will no longer be a problem for the stylish jetsetter. A few - or more! - statement pieces from Unarosa are all that you need for outfits that can keep up with travel mileage!
Unarosa can be found at Shangri-la Plaza, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA - The Block, Shoppesville Greenhills, SM Fairview, and Marquee Mall.
Has it really been that long?
Apparently.
Days go by so fast, I can't believe it has already been a year since I wrote a tribute for our fourth year with HSBC. o_o
I honestly don't know what to say, except that I didn't think I would last here for more than a year, let alone five years! A lot has happened, I don't even know where to start. In that span of time I was able to meet long-time friends who I'm sure will always be there, people I have learned a lot from not only in terms of career growth but also on how best to go about life (a lot of lessons can be thrown around during late-night drinking sessions by the pool, I tell ya), fair-weather "friends" who are just there when everything's going great, and people who leave without even saying goodbye. I broke someone's heart, got my heart broken, and managed to come out of the whole experience (hopefully) wiser and stronger.
Right now only a few from my original Tranche remains in HSBC Direct - the others have already either transferred to other departments or moved to other companies. I would be lying if I say I don't miss them and don't wish we could all go back to our former selves, enjoying the morning shift. But then I realize I have terrible hair back then so maybe this is just for the best haha. Kidding. I mean, we can't really stop time, right? I mean, I turned 26 this month. Growing up has got to start somewhere.
Five years. Wow.
It has been an awfully long time, right? But to be honest, I am enjoying what I do. As Mariel (THE Mariel Chua-Jimenez) said, I taught her that there is more than one way to skin a cat! Don't worry, it doesn't sound as morbid as it sounds. And don't worry, I googled it up haha. It simply means that "there are several possible ways of achieving something". I'm happy that because of my schedule and supportive bosses and officemates, I am able to perform well at work while still being able to do what I love to do - writing ♥ I am blessed that I can do this, and I am thankful :)
I also would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you guys for sending in your best wishes for my friend Poly and her husband Tony. I also met them through HSBC :)
For our third anniversary, I made a short video with our photos through the years. For our fourth anniversary, I made a comparison between 2003 Krissy and 2011 Krissy. Now, for our fifth anniversary, I am sharing this clip from GLEE. Come on, I know the show's cheesy and this scene *is* particularly cheesy, but this month I turned a year older, I witnessed two beautiful weddings, I am celebrating my fifth year with the company I love and people I have been great friends with, and I am feeling hormonal and terribly craving for Jollibee Choco Float, so I AM ALLOWED to be cheesy. I just think the song's perfect for this moment:
They changed some of the lyrics because the original from Halestorm is, umm, not safe for TV broadcast. Here are some lines from the watered down version:
Here's to all that we kissed, and to all that we missed
To the biggest mistakes that we just couldn't trade
To us breaking up without us breaking down
To whatever's come our way
Here's to us, here's to us!
Here's to us, here's to love
All the times that we messed up
Here's to you, fill the glass
'Coz the last few days have gone too fast
So let's give 'em hell, wish everybody well
Here's to us, here's to love.
Thank you, HSBC. And thank you, Tranche 5. You know I love you guys. Happy 5th, Tranche 5! I don't know where we'll be a year from now, but no matter what happens I wish we can still remain friends, and, you know, meet up for some drinks some time. Cheers!
Today, I became a witness to one of the bravest and most beautiful things I have ever seen.
I attended my dear friend Poly's wedding.
I attended my dear friend Poly's wedding.
And it's not like any other wedding. Instead of being held in a church, or in a garden, or by the beach, it was held in Makati Medical Center. My friend Poly is sick, you see, and I really wish I can say that she's just down with the flu, but she's not. If you have been reading this blog for quite a while now, you might remember me visiting her at the same hospital after her operation. The surgeons had to remove two feet of her intestines after they have clamped together. After the surgery, she underwent chemotherapy. Throughout all these she managed to stay strong and happy, and we were able to go eat out after work about two to three times a week.
However, another complication happened. I don't want to go into further details anymore, but she had to undergo surgery again last week. My other friend Mich and I visited her before the operation, and then yesterday I told her I would come visit again today with our other friends Marsha and Asther, and if she would need me to bring anything. She said she didn't need anything, but if I could kindly be there before 5:30PM so I could do her makeup for her wedding (which I wasn't able to do because I don't know how to do other people's makeup *sadface*). I was surprised that she would get married this early, but didn't say anything anymore.
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| I don't think I have ever seen a more radiant bride ♥ |
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| The ceremony was short but solemn. |
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| The happy newly-weds: Boss Tony and Poly ♥ |
Up until a couple of months ago, one of Poly's hobbies is to check out elaborately-done engagement and wedding videos on Youtube. We would exchange links and gush about them, and imagine what her own wedding would be like. I think I can speak for a lot of us girls when I say one of our earliest dreams was of us, wearing a beautiful white gown, walking down the aisle towards the man we love. Poly may not have gotten that elaborately-done (and expensive) wedding video, she may not have been able to walk down the aisle, and she may not have been garbed in a wedding gown fit for a fairy-tale, but she has her Prince (and family and friends) by her side, and really, isn't that the most important thing?
As I hugged and kissed her after the ceremony, my eyes were evidently moist with happy tears. She chided me for crying, saying we're not in a movie, but I'm just so happy and in awe of this wonderful moment, this strong lady, and this amazing couple. If only I could blow all the pain and sickness away, I would have already done so, and I'm sure all of us who were in the room earlier felt the same.
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| Mich and me with Chris and TL Bobot |
Poly is very lucky indeed to have (Boss) Tony, as I'm sure he is lucky to have her. I've been told by Poly of their love story and I know it hasn't been a smooth and easy ride. But still, they have been more than strong enough, and even before they said the "in sickness and in health" part of their vows, I know they got that part down pat.
What a beautiful and joyous thing to witness. I could only hope that someday, I will get to meet someone who will not only take care of me the way Tony continuously takes care of Poly, who will also be the one I can show the same kind of love and devotion to as Tony has given Poly.
Congratulations and best wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Sison! I wish you a long, happy, and healthy life together. You HAVE to get better soon Poly, so we can plan your post-bridal shower ♥ I love you and we are all praying for you. ♥
Some days you are in the mood for fancy food, but there will always be days when you'll be in the mood for good ol' burgers.
Times like these, BRGR: The Burger Project is here to the rescue! I love that it's located in Maginhawa Street (oh how I love that street! I have spent many an afternoon there with my friends from the office after work, and we always leave with happy tummies because of the number of food places serving a wide variety of delicious yet pocket-friendly dishes!) so I can just pop in when I'm having terrible cravings!
My blogfriends and I spent one hot sweltering afternoon there a couple of weeks ago, and we all had a great nom-nom time! ;D
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| Me with Pax, Ana, Angel, Sarah and Reg. Not in the photo are Catch (who took the photo) and Paul. |
When visiting new food places, the first thing I notice is the interiors. I love the little details on this restaurant. Notice how the "layers" on the wall make you think of burgers right away?
Random trivia about me: I eat vegetables but I don't like veggies on my burger. (I'm starting to notice all these random trivia scattered around my blog are all about food.) That's kinda the reason why I've skipped visiting The Burger Project even when I've visited the other food places within the area: I've always thought all their burgers come with tomatoes, onions, lettuce etc., and asking for special burgers without these might be too much of a hassle. I was wrong. It turned out customers can customize (and name!) their own burgers based on their own preferences!
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| Having fun with my checklist haha. |
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| Click for a bigger version to see what I chose :) |
And TA-DA! Here's my very own KRISSYFIED burger:
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| YUM! Just looking at it makes me crave for more!!! |
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| with fries on the side ;) |
For those who don't want to go through the whole process of customizing their own burgers anymore, there are also some set designer burgers to choose from:
We capped the afternoon with cold bottles of beer for them and Tanduay Ice for me, then moved to PINO Resto-bar for more beer, cocktails, and margarita, and then to Moonleaf Teashop afterwards for milktea. What an odd combination, right? :D
It was a fun afternoon that stretched waaay into the night, spent with fun friends. This food/ drink trip was repeated of course, but that's another story for another day ;)
Some photos are from Catch, thank you!. Big thanks also to Ruben of BRGR: The Burger Project for accommodating us!
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