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?

Frida Kahlo-inspired Photoshoot

Last month, my friend and I decided to do a collaboration project for our respective assignments (Photography for her, styling for me). Before the shoot, I was required to submit a moodboard. I don't know what triggered a Frida Kahlo idea but she was the first idea that popped in my head as an inspiration.

Click HERE for the actual Pinterest moodboard.

For the shoot, I wanted a modern take of Frida Kahlo. I tweaked her outfits and her look but tried to remain true to her style. I made sure there were mix and match of prints and colours, embroidery details, layers of accessories and of course, her headpiece.

I decided to omit the unibrow and the braided hair because I was not aiming to exactly copy her. Since this was a small project, I asked our friend if she can be our model and she was happy to render us her service. Haha!

As for the outfits, we looked for clothes in the easiest place we can go to - our closet. Luckily, my friend and I have heaps of options to choose from in our own closets and we actually have items that fits my modern Frida Kahlo idea. Also, my friend did her own make-up since we have no budget for a make-up artist nor do we know a make-up artist who can collaborate with us on this project. Being self-sufficient really comes handy. Location, you ask? I wanted a leafy or slightly rustic background. When we looked around, and we didn't get too far really, our backyard fits the bill. Easy peasy.

Aaannddd here it is! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my (long overdue) collaboration project with my favourite photographer (aka the person behind most of my ootd photos), Vernadette Carullo! :)

True to Frida Kahlo fashion, mix and match of prints and bold colors are essential. The key to mix and matching colours is to make sure that the colours complement each other and there is at least one similar colour that must be present on all items. For her first outfit, the blues, reds and whites worked together. Her headwrap is actually a kimono cover-up that we folded and played around with.

The second look was a splash of colours. Since the skirt was very colourful, it was easy to style it around because any colour will look good with it. Of course, this wouldn't be Frida Kahlo-inspired without the headpiece so I decided to use it for this look.

The third look has a touch of grunge. I tried to amp it up a bit. We changed the skirt and shoes and added the army green jacket with colourful embroidery and neon coloured accessories as contrast. See how tweaking here and there can change the whole vibe of an outfit? The vibrant colours, the embroidery details, the accessories are still there but a little tweaking can make the whole look totally different.

Unfortunately, I couldn't submit these photos now because they changed the requirement. Not to worry though, these can be used for our portfolio. Or our respective instagram accounts. Hehe.

Big thanks to my friends, Clare and Vernadette, for waking up early, for braving the heat that day and for working (Yessss! Haha!) with me.

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?