Backstreet Boys Fever and Lovesick. :l

So yeah, I did watch more videos. Oh, goshhhhh. <3

Great mash-up, don't you think?

THEY WERE CHOOSING GIRLS FOR THE I'LL NEVER BREAK YOUR HEART NUMBER. AAAAHHHHH! NICK CARTERRRRR!!!!! <3

This is the first BSB song that I've ever heard. I've loved them ever since.

OH, MY HEART!

Saturday Favorites 020

1. Week-long rest

Before I start at my new "soon-to-be" work (I will do volunteer work for them for the meantime, until I finish my review), I decided to have a week off to rest and do some errands.

2. Movie Fest

I know, don't judge me. I watch korean series. I actually love watching the light, chick-flick type. Hahaha. And yes, I watched two classics already! :) I learned that The Love Bug film is the film where Herbie Fully Loaded was adapted. Also, Margaret Thatcher is now included in my list of women whom I idolize or look up to.

3. First meeting at new workplace, got to meet the new workmates

We had an orientation that Wednesday. I was introduced as the newbie. We were already grouped according to task: advocacy and treatment. Our groups will switch tasks though every two weeks, I think, so that everyone will know and experience everything.  There will be trips, events aside from the major nursing tasks and patient care so this is going to be exciting. Most of my soon-to-be workmates are close to or same age as mine so it's all young vibe at work. Even our bosses are young at heart or "mentally young."

4. -My Lips are Sealed-

Yes, I won't spill what it is exactly. I don't want it to be jinxed somehow. Hee. :) But this is the opportunity I've been looking into, which I mentioned a few times recently in my former entries. I'm crossing my fingers for this so please, whoever you are, wish me luck and pray for me. If that's not too much to ask. :) Thank youuuuu! :)

5. IELTS enrollment

I'm back to class again -- English -- for a major English test. :) This is going to be fun, I love words, grammar and all!

This bib necklace is still unfinished and unpolished. Hehe.

6. Creative juices flowing!

Client requests = week's worth of art therapy, handwork and creative juices! :)

7. And yes, the bridal DIY pieces for my friend are done!

8. Concert catch-up
Why do these international artists have to come consecutively here in our country? My money couldn't catch up! Hahaha. So yeah, I have to resort to YT. :l Again, vinceme29 is my person to go to for this. Whoever this person is, I adore you! Haha! For more videos, check out his YT page. :D

Lady Gaga came here while I was in Boracay with my family.
Seriously, I don't know why religious people are making such a big deal out of her concert? I am no atheist or Satanist. I believe in God and I also believe that there's nothing wrong or Satanist with her songs. I respect the opinion of the people who think otherwise. I know we all have our own minds, our own conscience and our own judgment and understanding. But I hope these people open their minds more and learn not to take her songs very literally. Her lyrics are her personal opinion. It's not a personal attack or insult on anyone. I mean, how does it speak for your faith if you're threatened by songs and a person that others claim as "Anti-Christ?" If you don't like her, then just don't listen to her and don't bother. Just saying.







Lifehouse came here after we got home from Boracay.







Of all concerts so far, sobrang nanghihinayang ako sa Backstreet Boys! OMG, that's my all-time favorite boy band!!! :( They should have came here a few weeks earlier. But they came when I just left work so I'm saving up every penny until my next payday in mid-July or August. OMG. So I'm holding on to the dream that they'll still do a concert, I don't know, 5-10 years from now? :( (Some of the videos though are not from vinceme29 alone.)



THAT GIRL IN RED IS DAMN LUCKYYYYY! I WANT TO CRYYYY!

I will never forget this song. EVER. Whatever the reason is, I will not speak of it but it is memorable. MY FRIENDS KNOW AND CAN ATTEST TO IT. HAHAHAHAHA!

Sang this song recently at a karaoke with my elementary friends! :)

Okay, enough video peeping for me. This is too much, I want to cry both out of happiness and sadness. I also feel like I'm floating on air and suuuuuperrrrr kiliiiggggg watching them. The forever giddy in me was up a notch -- has shot up to its maximum peak. The 10-year old girl in me was ignited. It reminded me of my youth, of how crazy me and my friends were over BSB, of how I used to sing with and memorize their songs using a cassette tape, of how gaga I went over NICK CARTER. (Siiiiighhhh.) :l Looking back now, I think they are the reason why I like or why I am attracted to guys who dances good and sings well.

I'll watch more videos some other time and share it in my next entry! :)

Saturday Favorites 010

1. Pretty productive week

Self-explanatory. :)

2. First orthopedic check-up

Bad news: So I have scoliosis. 

Good news. Since my bones have reached maturity, it is less likely to worsen. My scoliosis is minimal and nothing alarming though.

I have to undergo x-ray for my spine for baseline measurement and to really see how it looks. I will share more after my x-ray and second visit with my doctor. :)

3. Smash Project 2012

Honestly, if this concert was solely by Dashboard Confessional (Okay, Starship Cobra can join in), I would have watched. The show had 4 bands in their line-up. I was expecting DC would only play a few songs. I am not also familiar with the band, The Cab and I only heard The Used a few times. But anyway, YouTube would be less useful if you can't find clips of concerts or shows. I seriously doubt as well that nobody, not even one single person, would share and upload his/her own clips from a concert or show, too. :)

Oh, Chris Carrabba, marry me. *teary* Hahaha!

4. Meet-up with Jeff and Reg! :)

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hahahaha! 

Finally, the long overdue meet-up had finally occurred! It was nice catching up with you both! It's been three years since we last saw each other, Jeff! Boy, you dropped a bomb on me! OMG. But congratulations!!! :) And can I just say that I really did miss McDonald's food. :) It was one helluva lunch! Haha!

5. Good news!

Hah! CGFNS finally issued a report to NYSED!!!!! :) Let's wait some more for my NY License to land in my very hands and have my papers processed! :)

Saturday Favorites 007

1. Ria's 23rd birthday bash photos

Click here.

2. New York Fashion Week F/W 2012

Here are bits from the collection of few of my favorite designers.

CAROLINA HERRERA

DIANE VON FURSTENBURG

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

PRABAL GURUNG

 

JASON WU

MARCHESA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. 54th Grammy Awards

I was excited for Adele's, Maroon 5 x Foster the People x The Beach Boys', Coldplay x Rihanna's and David Guetta x Chris Brown x Lil Wayne x Foo Fighters x Deadmau5's performances.

AND ADELE, FTW!!! :)

And let me also include my Grammy's fashion finds!

Nicki Minaj is not included in my favorite looks for the Grammy's but this really is something my eyes can't even miss. Oh, Red Riding Hood! Bring your own pope, really? Hahaha!

Photos from: www.hollywoodreporter.com, www.huffingtonpost.com, www.hollywoodlife.com

4. Valentine's

Yiiiiiiiiiiiiii. For the first time, my brother actually bought me something for watchumacallit thingamajinga. Hahahahaha! I was so surprised! Finally, may tumama din na magbigay sakin nito! Yay, thanks brotha!

5. Eye strain on a no-work day.

I finished scanning the entire episodes of City Hunter the. whole. day. My eyes were starting to hurt by afternoon but whatever. Haha! I will still watch the Tagalog dubbed though since it beats reading subtitles and I hit the fast forward key to some scenes. I was excited to see if the main characters are going to be together in the end. Haha! (Note: If you don't know what I am talking about, this show is an action koreanovela. With a tinge of love. Tough love.) See, this is why I stay away from koreanovelas. I'm not a die-hard fan. I pick the ones with stories I can relate to or something I haven't heard before. But once I get hooked, I get hooked so bad. Temporary obsession, if you may call it. I remember, once in college, I got hooked in one koreanovela that I try to wake up earlier than my usual waking time just so I can watch even one episode while eating breakfast and fixing my things for school. Hahaha! What can I say, may ka-jologan din talaga ako minsan. Hahaha!

6. OB Graduation!

Let's hope my skin will be just fine without my meds so I won't have to see her anytime soon! Yay for the hormonal break! Haha!

Monday Goodies 002: The Moon and Self-esteem

I've been meaning to write an entry about this last month but I just couldn't find time to sit down and really gather my thoughts since I was pre-occupied with the merriment of the recent holiday season. I've seen this report on Yahoo and just followed the links on the article and found her on YouTube. It was about an acne-stricken lady that does amazing make-up and has awesome make-up skills, hence, she was able to cover up the unwanted and "unnecessary objects" in her face and be a model. Yes, she is a model. Click here on how she does her make-up ritual and to find out more of her videos.

With her case, I can actually relate. I, too, had been hit by badass acne when I was in college. I had little and few ones occasionally in high school though, you know, the normal type for teenagers.

This was me at 13. Notice my forehead? Holy moly, don't mind my face. I look... Hahaha!

But the worst had arrived in college. I've been to 4 dermatologists for four-five years and still, nothing changed. It actually got worse. To the point that my Mom can't even look at me. There were days, weeks and months though that it became better or were lessened; there were days that were just gruesome and my acne was just raging mad that they keep on appearing! It affected my self-esteem because I can't stop looking at the mirror or any reflective surface. Until I stopped looking because I can't fathom how bad my face was. I'm not a make-up fan type of girl. I'm a lippie type of girl and I'm contented with just that on my face. I don't even possess make-up skills to save my life so the girl on video, Cassandra Bankson, was very lucky enough to have a skill in covering her acne. In junior year college, when we had hospital duties already, our dean instructed us to wear simple make-up so we wouldn't look very haggard when facing patients. Well, I know how to use a blush-on and an eyeliner but that's all. When I feel like adding color, I do eye make-up (which I don't know if it looked good, but I didn't get any weird looks from anybody at that time so maybe it was okay. Hahahaha!) But it wasn't enough to conceal what needs to be concealed. Here are some proofs:

2005 was the start. 2006-2007 was probably the worst! 2008-2009 was better. 2010 was the recurrence.

I didn't want to share this because it is too embarrassing (but I still liked taking photos of myself back then.Yes, with a face like that! What in the freakin' world was I thinking, I know!!!)

To make up for the horrendous photos, here are some photos on miraculous days that my skin was helluva lot better.

2005: Before I went to college. All the while I thought my skin couldn't take Manila dirt. 2007: Thank God my skin cooperated in time of my capping. 2008-2009: Read on below. 2010: ALLELUIAAA!!!

As you see, By 2008, my skin got better. Decent enough to look at. That was the time I had been to the 4th dermatologist I had. He gave me loads of antibiotic that I took for months. Being a nurse that I am, I know that antibiotics should not be taken longer than 14 days! But I didn't care because I wanted to look pleasant enough to look at, if not pretty. Eventually, I got scared because too much of the drug might not make it effective for me later on, if ever I need it for its infection and not just plainly for vanity. So I was on antibiotics on and off and just relied more on my dermatologist's injection. I totally stopped taking them by late-2009. At the same time, my acne were starting to spurt back again little by little! By mid-2010, I met my heaven's sent dermatologist. Her team was just very rigorous in cleaning my face up. My dermatologist makes facial washes and creams for her patients and that's what I used. I swear, in 6 weeks time, my face got a whole lot better (Okay, I sound like a home shopping TV ad. Haha!). It was a 6 once-a-week session actually, including that 2 once-a-week gruesome facial cleaning for me, which I will never forget. In the middle of the treatment session, she made me take Isotretinoin, an anti-acne medication which has teratogenic effects (so my doctor requires me to take pregnancy exams and sign waivers monthly) and its dosage is computed according to your body mass. (NOTE: Isotretinoin is not an OTC drug! So you really need to consult a dermatologist about this. Your skin problem might be different than mine and you may not need to use this. However, once you start using this drug, you'll have dry skin and lips as side effects. I didn't experience any more side effects other than that but still, side effects are not one-size-fits-all kind of thing.) After that rigid weekly treatment, she instructed me to stop taking the medication and to come back only for maintenance sessions that happens every month. By early 2011, these unwanted objects were starting to recur again! My dermatologist wasn't surprised because she had a hunch even before that I have a hormonal problem. All of my dermatologists before actually said the same thing but they didn't do anything about it (or probably I was too young to be treated 'hormonally' though). Middle of last year, she referred me to an ob-gyne, a former classmate of hers from med school. (I told that OB story here. You can read my diagnosis there, too.)

To cut the story short, I was under hormonal therapy and my dermatologist made me take Isotretinoin again. As of now, my dermatologist instructed me to stop taking the Isotretinoin. My hormonal therapy would still continue until February though, as instructed by my OB. Since I started these hormonal therapy, my face actually got a whole lotta better. Loads. Gazillions. You can see that even on close-up. Although I have some little marks on my cheeks but I can get rid of it with Dermaroller later on. :) And some large pores which I don't know how I can make it smaller. Can Dermaroller do that, too?

I feel more confident though and I can go out now without needing to even at least use a powder. :) Ha! Dream come true. Hahaha! I know my skin will go through a lifeloooong maintenance since my problem has something to do with hormones. I might go on and off with my meds. But for now, I'm happy with it. :)

So, to all those who has this same problem, I have a few things to say:

1. I wouldn't be too preachy with you. Even if I tell you to "never lose the confidence" and "don't confuse yourself with the real essence of beauty," and all that positive shit, you probably wouldn't listen whole-heartedly. They are cliche advice, yes, and you need not to hear that from me. I think I know what I am saying because I had been there myself for almost 5 years. Although I stayed positive (and annoyed) because it's the only way to be for me (I'd rather not be depressed, hello!) on the days that I just feel awful. I still hold on to the idea or belief that other people might still see me for who I am, with acne or without.

2. I wouldn't be so much of a hypocrite because at one point or another, we all really want glowing, pretty skin. So get your ass off that chair, move and get yourself treated! Go to my dermatologist -- if you're from the Philippines that is. (Yes, plugging! Hahahaha!) Find Dr. Clarissa Villarama-Cellona in St. Luke's Global City or in Don Santiago Building in Taft. I still think it's better to consult a dermatologist early on and spare yourself from constantly raging acne and the tons of products out there that might actually do more harm. Ask your dermatologist what specific products you can and cannot actually use and if there's a specific skin regimen you should do.

3. After treatment (No, not during. AFTER THE TREATMENT. When all is well.), learn awesome make-up skills through bubzbeauty and these Fowler sisters, Elle and Blair. They are my personal favorites. :)

4. While you do all the prior things I said, listen to these songs to make you feel better and make you realize that there's more to us that has been covered by these cruel acne.

Christina Aguilera - Beautiful

Pink -Raise Your Glass

India Arie - I Am Not My Hair

Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Record On

Phil Collins -True Colors

Lady Gaga - Born This Way

Sugababes - Ugly

Pink - F*ckin Perfect

TLC - Unpretty

5. Lastly:

HERE

HERE

HERE

Monday Goodies 001: When I'm pissed off

Today is Monday but my level of annoyance is halfway in reaching its maximum mark and my patience is being tested yet again. It's definitely a good time to start my planned Monday ritual entry about inspiration and playlist for the week ahead. I know this entry should be all about good inspirations, something that can boost your days ahead so don't worry, I will use the negative energy around me to create a positive post. :)

But let me say my piece first:

HERE

 Di ako nagmamalinis, may mga kamalditahan din ako pero I definitely know I don't do what you do (THANK GOD FOR THAT!).

Bow.

Snap back to my happy self (thank you for the Golden Globes fashion photography therapy for helping me shove away the negative vibes):

When I'm too pissed off and I can't do anything about it to at least even out things or when I just opt to shut up and not to stoop down to their level, I:

- think of happy thoughts, do things that would take my mind away from that shit (Yeah, classic advice and it works).

- do retail therapy, if I got money to spare. :)

- look at the bright side. In my case, I'm the one who's laughing now because: 

1. Thank God, I'm not like her. 

2. I definitely know for sure I will never be like her. 

3. I don't know how she will mature more at her age right now.

- annoy them by my mere presence and my obliviousness to their presence. :D

HERE

- rant here. on Twitter. to my friends. to my Mom.

- sleep on it.

- listen to songs that will make me feel better. :) Here are some of the songs I listen to when I'm pissed off, annoyed or mad in general (Disclaimer: They may or may not be your choice of music. I have listed down first thing that comes to my mind so my list might be crappy for you. Hahaha!):

1. So What - Pink

2. Just like a Pill - Pink

3. Smile - Lily Allen. 

4. F*ck you - Lily Allen. 

5. Mean - Taylor Swift. 

6. Move, b*tch - Ludacris. 

7. Roll Call - Lil Jon and East Side Boys

8. Runaway - Kanye West

9. Piece of Me - Britney Spears

10. You Oughta Know - Alanis Morrisette

Then top it off with:

Good Republic, Coldplay or Katy Perry, Rihanna or whoever else you can think of and you will eventually...

HERE

A little later on, it will hit you...

HERE

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! :D

On an entirely different note, let me share an outfit post of something I wore for work. I went for something romantic and girly.

Regardless of the simple ensemble and textures that I mixed up in my outfit, the lace top definitely made my look chic. I added a pearl necklace with fringes and my DIY sequined sash belt to add more chic factor.

The bag I used is my favorite bag nowadays. It's spacious and it's perfect for me since there are days when I just throw in things inside it when I'm in a hurry. Plus, its taupe color seems to match into any color of my outfit. That ballet flats are, of course, my go-to shoes. :) And oh, that wasn't high-waist A-line skirt. It's culottes -- it's a short that hangs like a skirt -- a random find over a local thrift store! :)

I hope you enjoyed my entry for today! I do hope I brought out something bright and positive. :)

Have a blessed, safe and happy week ahead! :)

This is War: 30 Seconds to Mars in Manila

29th of July, 2011

second day of a twohelluvanight event in Philippines

"We were the kings and queens of promise. We were the victims of ourselves. Maybe the children of a lesser God between heaven and hell. Heaven and hell."

After watching Incubus, I wondered how 30STM will perform. No doubt, they wouldn't suck. But at some point I thought, "Would they top Incubus' performance?"

The concert hadn't started yet when it rained. Vinch, Jolo and I managed to fit ourselves under an umbrella yet we knew that sooner or later, even if the rain will not stop, we have to close our umbrella. We bought plastic coats being sold from a booth inside the venue. The rain just got harder that we have to open the umbrella again. We started to get annoyed because it was uncomfortable and our poor little shoes were really wet. As in squishy wet as if we walked through flood. I'm sorry Marc Abaya but we (my friends and I) really did wish you wouldn't have to do your front act and have Jared get on the stage as soon as possible so we could all go home and dry up. We said to ourselves that this better be one freakin, worth it, good show or else... We'll unfollow Jared and 30STM on Twitter. HAHAHA!

Kjwan opened the show that night. People still have umbrellas opened and wished the rain would stop once 30STM is on stage.

Then lo and behold, the 30STM went out and everyone just got wet and wild! For the first few minutes, there were funny yet mean bashing thrown by people who couldn't watch properly (due to the umbrellas opened) to the people who have their umbrellas opened. The former won! Hahaha! It was crazy that the organizers moved the barricade a few steps forward so we, on the Silver side, could see better (We were near the barricade so it really is better for us). we were literally soaking wet amidst the plastic coats (that was slowly torn towards the end of the show) we have on. We were a bunch of crazy, loud audience. Jared and the rest of the band made us go crazy! We were jumping as high as we could and singing and screaming with him, with our handfists thrown in the air. Maaaaannnnnn! Such a scene! Never in my 22 years of life did I imagine myself in and among a crowd like that! And I don't jump on concerts but Jared made me! Yes, I did jump under the rain. Oh, I, we, actually forgot that it was raining and we have squishy shoes! We just didn't care.

When Jared actually pointed to some people to come up on stage and sing with him (very MTV World Stage moment), I really begged my friends to throw me towards the stage but they couldn't since they were aching all over. I never wished to be thrown towards the stage UNTIL. THAT. NIGHT. UNTIL. THAT. MOMENT. I think the rain made it better and dramatic. I never enjoyed rainy outdoors until that night. Another thing that Jared did differently and only him was when he said, "IKAW NA!" instead of "Maraming Salamat" or "Mahal ko kayo" or "Kumusta." He loved our food and our noodles. He said he had noodles for breakfast yesterday.

These were some of the lucky people who got invited to come up on stage.
Jared asked a girl what next song to sing and she said, 'The Kill.'
The next moment Jared invited more people to come up on stage was for the finale song.

To answer my own question and I hate to say this (and I can't believe I am saying this since I love Incubus more and I can be biased) but I think 30 Seconds to Mars did it better. Production/'attack'-wise. Incubus and 30STM both had awesome performances but different 'attacks' to the audience, to their respective songs and on how they perform. Both are down right good bands. Jared's just crazier and more in touch, more interactive with the audience. I already stated the evidence above. I saw that scene on MTV already but I didn't expect that to happen that night and to be among the crowd of that same scene.

Few hours before 30STM's show, I swore that after that night, I will lose it. There is only enough rock gods and hotness I can take. I will already have too much by that night. And I did. We did. Twohelluvanights, man! Crazy!

THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU 30STM AND JARED LETO!!!!! You let me out of my comfort zone and it's good! Next time, our target spot would be that stage with you! :)

Anyway, here's a setlist of the songs they played:

Escape

A Beautful Lie

Attack

Search and Destory

This is War

100 Suns

A Call To Arms

L490

Hurricane

Alibi

The Kill

Night of the Hunter

Closer to the Edge

Kings and Queens

Anyway, my pictures were even poorer this time. I used a different camera since we will be standing near the bouncers and the usual camera that I use is always mistaken as DSLR. I don't want to be called and to be told to put my camera down and turn it off like what happened in Maroon 5.

After that two consecutive nights, Vinch, Jolo and I need painkillers and anti-pyretics and a good fan sleep. Akala mo nakipag-body slam. It was tiring as hell. My whole body never ached like this since cheer squad days back in high school! But boy, it was worth it!

Aftermath. Me (with my lame pose) and my concert buddies. 

"No, I'm not saying I'm sorry. One day maybe we'll meet again. NO NO NO NO! I WILL NEVER FORGET! NO NO! I will never regret. NO NO! I WILL LIVE MY LIFE!"