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 *

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.

Mamma Mia in Sydney

My friends and I saw Mamma Mia last night. I loved the movie so I was excited to see the theatre version. The show did not disappoint (and the inner tita in my was very happy! Haha!). The choreography was full on. The props, the stage, the lighting were perfect. I loved their costume during the finale performance. It was spot on. The actors were good. It was funny. It was touching (I may have cried a little bit... :p). It was a feel-good show. My friends and I were quietly singing along with the actors. But towards the end of the show, we could no longer contain ourselves so we stood up and danced. Tempt na tempt pa kami mag-karaoke afterwards. Haha!

While I wasn't born when Abba was such a hit, my dad exposed my brothers and I to their music (and all other old bands and other genres) so I know most of their hit songs. I didn't appreciate it then of course, but I'm glad and thankful he did that. Looking back, I think our love for music was influenced by him. And if it wasn't for him, our music "knowledge" would have been limited (and I wouldn't be damn good at karaoke games. Hahaha!)

Travel Journal: Suva, Fiji

We just got back from our tour in Suva, the second stop in our itinerary. We did a mixture of cultural, historical and fun things for today. I will write them all down now while it is still fresh in my memory. We still have heaps of time to rest and to prepare for dinner and tonight's show (It's Wild, Cool and Swingin as per the cruise compass) later.

We already docked in Suva by the time we finished preparing to get off the ship this morning. We booked the Jewel of Fiji shore excursion via Viator weeks prior to boarding the ship. We could have booked it with Royal Caribbean instead but my friend found out that it was more expensive to book it with them. We thought it would be risky to book an excursion outside the cruise line company because other tour companies might not or probably do not have any arrangements with the cruise line. There could be a conflict regarding pick-up and departure times and we might be left behind by the ship or we may have wasted our time if they pick us up later than usual.



We also weren't sure if there will be other people on the cruise that would book excursions from tour companies other than Royal Caribbean. If in case we get left behind on the island, it would be more comforting to know that we weren't the only two people who got left behind. Haha! Those kinds of little things that could have an annoying domino effect. But, we agreed to book one tour with Royal Caribbean and one tour from another tour company so we could compare later on.

Fortunately, when we got off the ship, vans from different tour companies were already parked outside and tour guides were already waiting for their respective clients. Viator emailed us beforehand the detailed instructions - the meeting place, time, what the tour guide would be wearing, etc. It was good to know that a lot of people booked excursions through other tour companies as well. Once our van was filled, a lady in our group asked the driver/tour guide what time would the tour finish as we have to be back by 4:00 PM. The driver/tour guide knew that already and he assured us that we will be back on time so all of us felt relieved that they seem to know the do's and don'ts of touring cruise clients.

Our driver drove us to Navua, 3 towns away from Suva, about an hour drive, so we were able to see a bit of the other towns.

We started the tour by visiting a village (Koromakawa Village) meeting house called bure. We had to take our shoes off as per their custom and as a sign of respect.

We were warmly welcomed with a war dance and a kava ceremony, a sacred and traditional ceremony that is only performed for visiting high chiefs and important visitors. Kava is their national drink. I tried it. Its taste isn't as bad as it looked. It looked like muddy water, tasted like an old lipstick? (At least for me!) A folk dance was performed thereafter as well.

Our tour guides also shared the history of the village (established by an Englishman named Mr. Danford). They showed us how they cook/their traditional way of cooking called lovo. It's like an oven but underground. They dig/create a big pit in the soil and place wood and stones in it. They light a fire in it and if it's ready for cooking, they rearrange the stones so that the food to be cooked can be placed on top of it properly. Then, they cover the pit with dried leaves. Our food for lunch was cooked in that way.

They also showcased how Fijian mats and artworks are made. For the mats, they shred or pound pandan leaves to make it thinner and weave them together. These mats are considered traditional gifts. As for the artworks, they use ink from mulberry. They pound mulberries and use the extract as ink. They add charcoal to that extract to create a black ink and they add clay to create brown ink or just use the pounded mulberry extract as it is. They also have handmade fabrics, which, similar to the mats, are used as gifts for a wedding or funeral. If I remember correctly and hopefully, I am not mistaken, I think it is also customary for them to give gifts at funerals.

They showed how they open coconuts, which is very similar to how it is done in the Philippines, and what they do with the coconut byproducts. They use the coconut husk to make their roof while they use the coconut shell as a pot/container for cooking as well.

Our guides also explained their native weapons (such as neckbreaker and cannibal fork) and meaning behind their symbols (e.g. putting a flower on your left ear means you're single while placing a flower on your right means you're married). I loved this part. A lot was discussed but these are the only ones that stuck in my head as I write this.

We also visited a village pre-school and met some kids who sang us both welcome and farewell songs, which was really cute.

Then, we had lunch and ate the food that was cooked earlier. Their food is somewhat similar to Filipino food. There were noodles with vegetables (like pancit), a dish that looks and tastes like laing but not spicy (I forgot what it was called), rice (Yay!), fish in coconut, curry, pumpkin. We thought we would have extra time after eating lunch so we also had our name listed for a quick massage but we cancelled it because we had to go straight to our next activity.

I tried and ate most of the dishes offered.

Before leaving the village, my friend and I bought some souvenirs. We quickly slipped on our rashguards and aqua shoes as well. We deliberately left all out things at the village for this part of the tour. We canoed down the Navua river to visit Navua's largest waterfalls. I didn't notice that it was a 45-minute trip because I was busy looking at the villages, rainforests and waterfalls that we passed by. It would have been nicer if the weather wasn't gloomy. But at least we didn't have to worry about sunburn or heat.

After reaching our stop, we trekked further into the forest to reach the waterfalls. We had a quick dip. And I had a little accident before that. I was stepping on rocks to get slowly into the water and as I walk one step further, there were no more rocks! I somehow slipped into the water. There was like a gap in that spot/a sudden dip and the water is fairly deep for my height. Luckily, there was a man nearby and he grabbed me by the arm. I was split-second close to panicking and I wouldn't have been able to swim! Whew. He then pulled me to a safer spot where it was not too deep. Oh, my goodness. I was super grateful to him.

We capped off the tour by riding a bamboo raft, which was their previous means of transportation, back when there were no roads and before motors were introduced.

Chinese cuisine for dinner

We canoed down the river again and went back to the village to grab our things. It was a good call to leave our things in the village because it was a hassle to carry things and worry about our gadgets while canoeing and trekking. We were driven back to the cruise ship port on time. Everything in this tour went smoothly. Now we know that we can safely book tours outside the cruise line company. They are efficient and they are way cheaper, too!

Next port stop will be in 2 days time!