New apartments, Design school, etc.

Hey, let's have a chat! (And I mean, me talking to a screen. Lol!)

I had this entry drafted since February! What was supposed to be just an update about my new apartment is now going to be almost a year's worth of update (as if anyone really needs an update about me. Haha!). So yeah, I had been busy with work and uni (When I got a sliver of free time, let's be real, I'm on Netflix. Or -- my new obsession -- BBC and SBS. Haha!).

Yes, you read that right, I am back to uni again. I currently study part-time at Whitehouse, doing my fashion design degree. I am finally doing it! Yayyyy! And I am loving it!

I remember feeling excited and nervous during my first day. It was all new to me. I believe I am creative enough but when we had the very first brainstorming activity for our design process journal, I felt that I was overthinking it instead of just letting those creative juices naturally flow. Or was I just rusty -- creatively speaking? And the next thoughts in my head were, "Omg, do I really have what it takes?," "Will I be good enough?" Then, I overwhelmed myself even more because I visualised internships, exchange student applications, student contests, etc. I was just getting ahead of myself. I eventually calmed myself down and psyched myself to just take it one day and one thing at a time and do my damn best.

So far, I think I am doing well. I am learning new knowledge and honing something I never knew was in me (I draw more decently now! Haha! And I paint now, too! I took a Fashion Illustration class back in Manila years ago. Ugh, I hated using paint and brushes because they are not erasable and harder to manipulate but now I don't mind at all), which is really exciting.

I met new people (Truth be told, I didn't think I'll be hanging out with teenagers. I initially did not really want to because, hello, generation gap? Hahaha! And I'm not in uni that often so I was like, why bother?). I got good grades (not sure about the 2nd term though but whatevs -- okay, not super whatevs, I need good grades if I want to apply for exchange student program so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's not too bad!). It can get a bit stressful working and studying at the same time. There are days when I just want to relax when I get home from work or during weekends but no, I still have assessments to do. Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do!

Going back to uni is also the reason why I resigned from my other job as well.

I received these flowers and art books, among other things, back in February as a farewell and good luck gift from my now former colleagues. It was an emotional day. It was my longest job ever - 5-year mark supposedly the month after that. It was my first job since I moved to Sydney. I was still a student when they hired me. There was a reason why I stayed there for that long -- my super chill and kind boss and the amazing staff I work with. I once said (even my Mom said so) that I will never leave that place and if I do, it will be because I'll be pursuing a dream. And that day came. It was hard because I have to give up something dear to me. We shared too many memories together. We were like a family. It was bittersweet indeed but I sincerely felt the support and love. So, I will really do my best to make, apart from myself, them proud and to make it all worth it.

And while we are talking about pursuing dreams, a few months ago, I had a dream about me giving birth. I freaked out because I remembered it vividly the next day. Hence, in true Jana fashion, I turned to Google to help me look for its meaning if there is. Here's what I found:

Eerily amazing and apt, isn't it?

Another life adjustment that I did was moving out of the flat I shared with my friend for almost 4 years.

I moved mainly for convenience and space. The flat I moved in to was near my current workplace, just 10 minutes of commute. The space I need is for my future school projects. I need to have my own little studio/work area. I loved this flat (which, apparently, came with a good-looking and very nice neighbour whom I met over dinner they invited me to during my first night. Yaaasss!) and I am enjoying my own company!

My former landlord and brother helped me to move. It took me a week to finish unpacking and arranging the place. Since my workmates knew I moved and that I need stuff for my apartment that will fit my budget, they introduced me to Facebook Marketplace. Man, that section of the internet got me hooked, I tell you. I barely open my account but it made me access it just for that. Whenever I get a spare time at work, I kept checking it. I eventually bought my very first purchase in Marketplace -- my current fridge!

I had the specific dimensions that I wanted, a specific colour in mind and a strict limit to how much I am willing to spend. Three weeks later, I eventually found the perfect fridge, went to the owner's place to inspect it and paid her on the spot! She even knew someone who can pick it up and deliver it to my place the next day. It was a meant-to-be purchase. Haha! It took me three weeks of going back and forth to the shops to buy the most essential things I need, to fill my pantry and new fridge.

Then, 6 months later, I moved to another flat again. I was told that they will not renew my lease as a relative will be moving into that place. Omg, I was so stressed out because I needed to find a new place to live in and fits my budget within a month. I barely had time to look for and inspect rental units and to pack my junk all over again! I was also in the middle of the term in uni. I have to hire a mover and pay the bond. Ack! Not to mention, I felt at home already (Once or twice, I may have walked naked in my hallway. Haha!). I just had my flat-warming (if there is such a term? Haha!) a month prior. My family has visited before that and liked the place. When I found the one (and only one!) that ticks my non-negotiable requirements, I was practically begging the real estate agent to approve my application (not that she has a say on that really because she isn't the landlord! Haha!)

Boy was I over the moon when I found out my application was approved! I moved into this new place three weeks ago. Half of my things are already unpacked and properly placed. Half of them are just properly placed in a corner because I still need furniture to place them at. My mattress was also delivered a few days ago, still waiting for my base. It will take me quite a while to finish decorating my place since I'm currently living on a student budget and my bills take priority over my furniture. But we'll get there. I'm also planning to have another flat-warming next weekend! Yay!

Okay, this is getting way too long. Let's continue the chat in a different entry?

The Sunday (Monday) Currently: Volume 12

It's a Monday and a holiday (Queen Elizabeth's birthday). Since I wasn't feeling writing something yesterday, I thought of doing this today even it's not a Sunday.



R E A D I N G 

phone messages, tweets of people I follow

W R I T I N G 

what needs to be written for my final assessment

L I S T E N I N G

Unwind playlist in Spotify

T H I N K I N G
of what happened the past week.

It was emotionally intense. It was kinda crazy. It was overwhelming. It was draining.
I don't want to go into details because it is all very personal. But, I'm glad that I was able to think things through and I've spoken to people I needed to speak to in the past few days. It is already resolved from my end but it is still not case closed for the rest of the people involved so I'm hoping the issues will be further discussed and the people that still need to talk to each other and to patch things up will be able to do so. Maybe not now but, hopefully, soon.

S M E L L I N G

dinner

W I S H I N G

that the news about Anthony Bourdain's death was all a lie

But it wasn't.



A couple of days ago, my friends and I honoured him by eating good food and trying new dishes. Well, we already ate in SaltVine but we decided to try other dishes such as:

Lamb Kibbeh

Syrian String Cheese Cigars

And of course, we couldn't say no to their Zaatar fries!

And the Chargrilled Lamb Shoulder and Scotch Meshwi.

H O P I N G

they would figure things out and patch up

W E A R I N G

my winter gear - matchy-matchy flannel pjs.

L O V I N G

the DIY beach bag that I made



I found this rug in IKEA a few weeks ago.



I liked the stripes and the fabric as well. I thought it was too pretty to be used just as a rug... With some folding, pinning and sewing, I got myself a new beach bag. :)

N E E D I N G

to exercise

I'd been slacking off the past two weeks because winter just started and all I wanted to do is hide under the sheets. Then I had my monthly girly thing. Now, I feel so meh and guilty about it.

Speaking of monthly girly thing, last Tuesday, I almost passed out at work (Eksena as always. Hahaha!) because of cramps. I will spare you with all the gory details though. The funny thing was an hour before the incident, I was speaking to the mum of one of my patients about how lucky babies are because they can sleep anytime they want. Unlike the adults, they can't sleep anytime they want, case in point, when you are at work. Then after that, there I was, asleep on the bed of one of the doctors. Haha! Anyway, I'm just thankful that my colleagues were so sweet enough to take care of me. :)

F E E L I N G

relieved and grateful

My uncle's surgery was successful. He's not out of the woods yet but so far, so good. We will take it one day at a time. Thank you, Lord. :) And as I've mentioned earlier (refer to Thinking section above), I was able to process and discuss issues that were raised to my attention during the past week.

C L I C K I N G 

YouTube videos

If I'm not watching series or movies, I'm watching vlogs, travel videos and makeup tutorials from some of my favourite YouTubers.


As for an entirely different topic, My friends and I saw Priscilla, Queen of the Desert musical last Saturday.



I liked the story, the punchlines, the humour, the songs used and the costumes. However, I find that it was lacking a bit with the stage production (Well, there's not much you can do when the setting is at the desert or in the bus, I guess.) and... feelings? I'm not sure. There's something slightly off that I can't pinpoint. I was also uncomfortable that a Filipina was portrayed in a racist and sexist stereotype (But, true to some extent, unfortunately, let's not kid ourselves here). Apart from that, it's a good musical. I'm thinking of watching the film.

Sneaking in some ootd shots before dinner

* The Sunday Currently link-up *

Singapore Lookbook

Sharing my OOTDs from my trip because why not? Haha!

THE TOUCHDOWN

Specs - Bailey Nelson | Drop earrings - Lovisa | Scarf - Zara | Linen buttondown - Uniqlo | High-waist denim - JayJays | Leopard print sneakers - Novo | Backpack - Sportsgirl

When I travel, I always go for the easiest and comfortable pieces in my wardrobe. Generally, how I choose what clothes to wear depends on my mood. So if I want to look a bit more polished at the airport and on my flight, I dress up a bit. And at that time, I was in the mood to trade my leggings and hoodie for a buttondown and jeans.

THE THEME PARK

Specs - can't remember where I got it, sorry | Backpack - Sportsgirl | Crop top - Sportsgirl | Denim cutoffs - JayJays | Sneakers - Cole Haan

For an active day just like a day at Universal Studios, a very comfortable outfit is a no-brainer. Hence, I opted to wear denim cut-offs and sneakers. I paired it with a printed crop top for the pop of colour.

GIRL, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

Hat - H&M | Top - Zara | Skirt - Sportsgirl | Flats - Topshop

Since it was my birthday, I wanted to dress up but still be comfortable since I will be going around that day. I decided to wear white so I will stand out in the Yayoi Kusama exhibit. I paired a boxy, chiffon top and with a crocheted skirt with fringe and faux snakeskin lace-up flats for added texture on the all-white ensemble. I topped off the whole look with a fedora hat.

THE MUSEUM

Specs - Quay Australia | Tassel earrings - Lovisa | Top - Zara | High-waist shorts - Zara | Crossbody bag - Charles & Keith | Flats - Zara

Heat and humidity are two of the things I am not fond of. So I chose to wear another comfortable but chic outfit because we were going to visit some museums. I also wore this very posh crossbody bag given by my friend for my birthday.

THE DEPARTURE

Shirt - H&M | Backpack - Sportsgirl | High-waist denim - JayJays | Leopard print sneakers - Novo

First, I am aware this is not an ootd shot but this is the only photo I had for my departure look. Anyway, I chose to wear the same jeans and shoes that I wore upon arrival and I paired it with a plain black shirt (and a pullover, which is not seen in this photo. I usually bring a pullover and keep it in my handcarry because it gets a bit chilly inside the plane). I was so tired already and I couldn't be bothered to dress up a bit for the flight. See what I meant with choosing what to wear based on my mood? This is different from my earlier airport look, obvs.

Catching up, Kinky Boots and The Bodyguard

A friend of mine, whom I met when I was studying in Queensland, flew to Sydney to renew her passport. We met last Saturday morning for a breakfast catch-up session. We haven't seen each other since I left Brisbane, which was a little bit more than three years ago.

We talked over coffee and waffles in Haven, a cafe in Surry Hills which serves all-day breakfast (Yay!).

Flat white

Amazing Kimcheese Waffle (spicy Korean kimchi, parmesan cheese, black sesame, vanilla bean ice cream and kimcheese waffle)

The waffles are to-die-for! This was my first time to try a sweet and savoury waffle. And really, kimchi + parmesan cheese + vanilla ice cream = why would I say no to that? It might taste weird when you think about it but the fusion of taste of the savoury kimchi, salty parmesan cheese, sweet ice cream and creamy egg waffle is perfect. The combination of taste balances each other out.

Hokkaido Red Bean and Matcha Waffle (red bean, coconut cream, matcha sauce, matcha ice cream and plain egg waffle)

The red bean and matcha waffle tasted great as well. I love red bean and matcha as individual ingredients so when you put them together in one dish, you will make one happy lady in me. If pancakes have maple syrup, this waffle has matcha sauce in a teapot, which you pour over your waffle.

We talked about a lot of things -- our future plans, life updates, current drama and just life in general. Catching up with friends, especially the old ones, is always refreshing and fun. I'm glad that, though we no longer talk as frequent as we used to when we were still in university, we are still "connected." We still get each other and bonding is effortless, as it always has been. At this day and age, it is important to filter the people you surround and associate yourself with and to keep and to value the ones worth keeping. I'm glad I met good people when I moved here.

After breakfast, she wanted to visit the university I went to here in Sydney. Unfortunately, the iconic jacaranda of USyd was no longer there (It collapsed late last year and will still be replanted). Also, they were doing maintenance work in the Quadrangle so the supposedly "sight to see" was not photo-worthy. Still, I showed her around a bit. And we took gazillions of portraits, selfies and Boomerangs.

Graffiti Tunnel - one of my favourite spots in USyd. The only area where vandalism is allowed.

OOTD at my old stamping ground

We weren't able to spend the whole day together though because when she told me she will be flying to Sydney, my friends and I had already booked tickets for the theatre. So after lunch, we bid each other goodbye and I headed to Capitol Theatre to meet my friends for the Kinky Boots show.

Just be who you wanna be

Unlike the other musicals that we saw, we had no idea what this one was all about. It turned out to be one of our favourites now! The cast, choreography (Lola and her "angels" were very Beyoncé) and musical score (Cyndi Lauper wrote the songs) were amazing. The props and costumes were a feast for the eyes. The story was inspiring and heartwarming. It was feel-good, high-energy show -- the vibe that you need on a weekend.

After the show and since it was a chilly night, we had ramen in Gumshara (in Haymarket) for dinner.

Spicy Garlic Tonkotsu

The flavours were packed but just right for me - not too salty and not too spicy. The thick soup, which was made from bone marrow and soft bone, added the extra punch of taste to the whole dish. I love that it was loaded with toppings. It was so filling. However, as soon as I finished the contents of the ramen, I stopped eating. The broth was overwhelming to finish on its own and I really didn't want to finish it since it was made from bone marrow. Bone marrow = cholesterol. We don't want to go down that path, my friend. Heh.

The next day, my friends and I saw another musical show, The Bodyguard, at Sydney Lyric Theatre.

So goodbye. Please don't cry. We both know I'm not what you, you need.

We were excited for this one because, as we all know, the film and the soundtrack were classic hits. However, the show wasn't what I expected. I felt it lacked something... Or maybe it's just me. Nonetheless, it was still worth watching. I enjoyed the songs! They added more of Whitney Houston's songs to the ensemble. It was lie watching a concert - Whitney and her karaoke hits! The actress who played Rachel was great. I loved the last part of the show where they sang "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." The crowd got up to their feet and danced. Of course, so did I!

We headed to Jimmy's Recipe, a Malaysian restaurant in Gateway (Circular Quay) for dinner. I started to feel under the weather and that called for a warm, hearty soup so I ordered chicken laksa. This is my newest favourite laksa. I love the flavour - a perfect mix of coconut milk/broth and spices. I love that the broth is not too runny or too light. Chicken is cooked just right and they used a combination of vermicelli and Hokkien noodles, which I don't really mind. I wanted it to be a bit spicier but one can easily add extra chilli so it's not a big issue. And it is very cheap!

... And that was how my last weekend went. 

How to wear Metallics

I remember my dad once said to me when I came out of my room all dressed up, "Kung hindi ka matingkad, makinang ka naman." Lol! If it was a compliment or not, I couldn't care less. He was speaking the truth. Hello, orange nga favourite colour ko e. (Yes, go ahead, judge me and roll your eyes on me.) And while others have black and/or white as their staple, mine is metallics. Go bright or go sparkly! Haha!

Less skin, more sparkle

Metallics are tricky, though, which makes it terrifying or overwhelming to use. It can either instantly spice up or break an outfit. There's a fine line between looking fab and tacky when using metallics. Similar to colour-blocking or mixing prints, if you do it wrongly then, you'll be doomed. Nevertheless, if you do it correctly, you'll be stellar.

Here are some tips on how to look shimmery but not tacky:
1. Consider the quality of the metallic item that you want to use.
We've all seen those ghastly, super shiny, it's-just-so-tacky-it-hurts clothing items so you know what I mean. Hence, when buying a metallic-coloured item, look at the texture, the fabric and how the piece was made. I think this is the main point of what makes or breaks a metallic piece and what makes it work or not.

2. Keep it minimal. Keep it balanced.
Your metallic piece, whether it's your clothing item or accessory, is already a statement on its own. It's not sparkly for nothing. Make the piece stand out by keeping the rest of your outfit subtle or understated. If you're wearing a plain, monochrome-coloured outfit, you can go big with it. However, if there's enough texture/colour on your outfit, tone down or don't use metallics at all. It's all about finding the right balance. You don't want to look like you came out from 80's disco party or a walking Christmas tree. I repeat, keep it minimal and balanced.

3. Pair it with neutrals.
Related to what I discussed on the previous bullet point. A safe way to make your piece stand out is to pair it with neutral-coloured items in your closet.

4. Keep the palette of your outfit as monochrome as possible.
Another foolproof way to draw attention to your metallic piece for the right reasons. If the rest of your outfit belongs to the same colour family, it draws the attention to the metallic colour and you wouldn't look "too busy" to the eye.

I kept my outfit palette in the old rose/mauve shade so they would complement each other and my focal piece, which are the pants.

5. By all means, colour-block it.
If you're feeling more experimental and daring, you can also play with colours. This can be tricky as well, so choose colours that go together or choose one solid/richly saturated colour to pair the metallic colour with, such as green and gold, purple and silver, navy blue and gold, to name a few. The colour wheel or Christmas decor colour combinations can be a good reference. Then keep the rest of your outfit or your accessories toned down.

6. Use it with texture, too.
Match metallics with texture, such as chambray top or denim jeans, leather jacket, chunky knit or sheer lace (similar to what I used in the photo) to add extra oomph factor. With texture, be careful not to go overboard. To be safe, use a single texture and opt for textured items that have neutral colours.

7. You can also go full-on, head-to-toe metallic.
If you choose to go down this road, make sure to go for metallic items that are of the same or almost the same colour so you will look cohesive and not too shiny.

8. Own it!
Pretty self-explanatory, I suppose.

I'm not an expert but I hope this helps! (And I hope I explained it clearly? Haha!)
Now, go on and strut those sparkles.

2016 in review

I flew to the Philippines in December 2015 and started the new year there. It is always a good idea to fly back and to see my family and friends during the holiday season. No matter how much I complain about traffic, pollution, etc, it was always worth it because of my family and friends.

Tried the granny/silver hair. Craziest hair I've ever had. However, a few months later, my hair turned into blonde. I think I wrote a separate entry about this and some tips... Ay, wait, on draft pa pala siya! Will publish it soon.

We flew to Iloilo for New Year. It was my first time to see my Lola again after years of living in the US. The last time I saw her was on Lolo's funeral in 2009. It was also nice to get away from the city for a while.

Ah, these people. Solid throughout the years. I always say na palpak man ako sa love life, with my friends, I'm damn sure I got it right. :)

#ProudAte #StageSister Haha!
(And I no longer have to write my friends' names as 'emergency contact'!)

Last year were concerts. This year are musical plays.

(From top to bottom) The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady (First time to watch in Sydney Opera House, yay!), Aladdin, The Nutcracker (First ballet that I've seen) and Ghost. Aladdin and Ghost currently share the top spot in my favourites.

The first wedding that I attended for this year.

2016 was a celebration of love. One of my closest girlfriends got married!  

And of course, when the squad is present, expect crazy. We don't just turn up. We arrive and bring the fun. HAHA!

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. CHAR!!! Thank you, Chai, for asking me to be your bridesmaid. :)

Allow me to show you how sexy the back of my dress was! (Yes, designed by yours truly!)

And for asking me to express my creativity through designing some of your entourage's dresses as well!

I just inquired about their ad and told them I was interested. I didn't expect they would contact me for an interview! It was 12 days of bliss. I looked forward to those Wednesdays for three months. It was physically tiring but I loved it! I learned a lot about the behind the scenes and met different people as well.

#JanaEats

I only wanted to share four favourites but it was so hard to pick which ones to share!

Because if I'm not filling my closet, I'm filling my tummy. My friends and I love to eat so we tried various local restaurants/food stalls here in Sydney.

(From top to bottom) Timbah (A low-key but trendy wine bar that has to-die-for tapas!), Doughnut Time (Unique flavours, yum!), Mentmore and Morley (They offer healthy but not boring food choices.), Hunter and Barrel (OMG. Meat heaven! If eating as a group, order the Hunter's AND King's feast.), Local Mbassy (That shakshuka!!!), Sydney Fish Market (Seafood!), Pasticerria Papa (Their cheesecakes are spot on. Personally, I like cheesecakes that are not too creamy and not too cheesy/with just the right amount of cheese. So if you like your cheesecake the same way that I do, Pasticerria Papa is the perfect place to go to. I recently discovered Pattisson's Patisserie and their cheesecakes are good as well.) and Passionflower (Unique Asian ice cream flavours. First time that I tried a black sesame ice cream.)

Cue #BDAY song

Since I moved here in Sydney, I only celebrated my birthdays with my friends. It was nice to celebrate it this time with my family.

Thanks, Dae, for making birthday cupcakes for me. Thanks, Clare, for the ice cream cake. Thanks, Dr. Nixon, Tricia, and Nards for my flowers. :)

#JanaGoesTo

My parents and my other brother flew here for our birthday (mine and my brother's, whose birthday is three days after mine) and for a vacation as well.

It was my parents' first time here in Sydney so the tourist spots are mandatory. We did the walking tour (which I enjoyed, despite the fact that I've been living here for three years. Haha! I learned new things and learning is always a good thing, isn't it?).

We went to the Blue Mountains, Featherdale Wildlife Park, and Canberra. I brought them to some of my favourite local restaurants.

Classic, y'all.
For some clips, click on the following: 1 and 2.

OMG. NEED I SAY MORE?

Some clips HERE, THERE and EVERYWHERE.

The grand finale of this year.

There were too much love, tears and happiness on that day. My friends and I felt like it was also our wedding day. We've known each other since we were 13/14 years old. We grew up with these two. We've known them even before and when they became a couple back in high school. 

It's not everyday that you hear a love story such as this one. How they nurtured their relationship and love for each other was inspiring; how they made it work since day one was amazing.  

Congratulations, Keng and Liana, on your new adventure! I am so happy for you, guys! Keep the love alive and the fire burning. May God bless your relationship and your soon-to-be family.

(And don't get me started on the after-party! My goodness! Hahaha!)

Kindly excuse my Christmas-inspired belly. Lol!

Since I flew to the Philippines twice this year, I thought of spending the holidays here. For a change (and to give my bank account and my passport a break! Haha!)

... And a few shitty stuff in between.

Lol!

So how was yours?