I’ve mentioned before that I’m probably not the best person to go to the beach with, but this particular afternoon was a really good one. I think I even enjoyed it and didn’t mind the sand so much. I won’t go as far as to say I’m a beach chick now, but I’ve definitely become more open to it. I’m probably saying this because I know I won’t be going anytime soon. Oh well, what can you do…
I do need a set of things for next time though. Preferably ALL of the following: a boombox, a huge (and fluffy) blanket, a bucket of fried chicken from KFC, binoculars (don’t ask why), hand sanitizers, and some reading materials.
I want to stop worrying about so many (stupid) things — my short hair, my belly fat, this girl who rips off almost everything in my blog/Tumblr, calories, people…
I’ve decided to just stick with this rule: Eat well. Live well. Enjoy life. That’s it. Eating well of course doesn’t mean running to the nearest McDonald’s for a box of Chicken McBites. That is NOT eating well at all. It means going for that extra piece of cookie after a hearty meal and not having to feel bad about it. Living well means taking the time and effort to be good to yourself and walking a mile or two everyday. Living well means reading good books, listening to good music, and doing awesome things. Don’t let ANYONE make you waste your time worrying about them. Worry about yourself and how you can live better.
On the subject of good food, I suggest you visit Now We Are Hungry, Sarie’s food blog (which I assume, because she is a cool chick, was named after Dave Eggers’ short story collection). It’s an awesome read.
I decided the first time I visited Pasadena that I’d live there someday. I mean, Old Town Pasadena is just way too charming. I can imagine living a few blocks away and walking to Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast or brunch every weekend. Or maybe running to Noodle World for dinner or just a cup of boba. There’s J. Crew as well so I wouldn’t have to go far to buy a new coat or a cute skirt. A few stores away from it is Barnes and Noble where I can get the new issue of McSweeney’s or just sit at Starbucks for coffee with a good book. Seems like the perfect set up, wouldn’t you agree?
I just turned twenty two. Wow. So, I bought that watch for my birthday. I also got a new jacket! I’ll post more about it later. For now… sigh. Time, slow down a bit.
The sad truth is my feet have been sporting band aids for weeks now. I find myself carrying a box with me whenever I leave the house because leather shoes take quite a bit of time to break in. My Clarks have yet to feel 100% comfortable although it fits way better now than when I first got them. I also have a pair of Steve Madden combat boots which I got in 2010 and it’s become my go-to shoes when I just don’t feel like wearing Toms.
I discovered recently that my mom’s pink boat shoes are the shiznit. I walked five miles that day and did not feel a thing. Sebago shoes are awesome and they last a really long time too. When I first got my brown pair, I don’t remember having to break them in. The material’s naturally soft and comfortable and it looks great too. The leather still looks very polished even after a year. I think I’m going to invest in another pair soon to save my poor feet from falling apart.
I am very happy to report that the first couple of weeks of January have been quite productive. My band, Vicious the Boat, with Erwin will be releasing an EP in February full of original songs. Two days ago, we uploaded our first original entitled, “Love Song” which was recorded with the help of Shinji Manlangit and Francis Cabal (two awesome boys from The Strangeness). I guess it’s fate that paved the way for me to become friends with Erwin who happens to share the same taste in a lot of things (most importantly, music). I’ve always loved to sing since I was very young, but traumatic experiences had turned me into a very shy girl. I also had a band with close friends back in college, but we never got around to playing in public (we played rock music). Another thing I really like to do in my spare time is write lyrics. Erwin and I have been sending lyrics back and forth for months with the intention of turning them into real songs one day. I guess that day has come! I’m just so lucky, really, to be surrounded with amazingly talented and creative people.
Another dream project that I’m working on: Today From Far Away. 2012 is turning out to be a really incredible year for opportunities. TFFA is going to be a blog about the daily activities of people from around the world. Weeks will be themed and submissions are welcome from anyone at all. Also, there’s no set medium: anything is okay. Photography, illustration, graphic design… even written works! It’s a supplementary blog for Spaces and will be updated daily. I’m so excited about this.
Let me (and the rest of the internet) know how your day went. The first theme is “My First Day”. Email me for more information!
People often say this about their mothers, but my mom is one awesome cook. She has the best versions of everything – chicken adobo, spare ribs, carbonara, etc etc. We’re a very well-fed family and we consider food as one of our most important indulgences in life. We don’t mind spending reasonably well for a really, really good meal. It is our fuel, as they say, so might as well make sure only the good kind gets in our bodies, yes? Otherwise, won’t we end up not functioning very well?
The other day, while my mom was preparing Pork Giniling, a Filipino dish that’s an absolute favorite of mine and my sister’s, I decided to snap every step (except for one wherein she put her secret ingredient). There are many variations of this dish – some add boiled egg, some put raisins to add sweetness (which my mom does sometimes as well), and some add beans. Another good thing about this dish is that you may put in anything you like as long as it doesn’t put the taste out of balance. Enjoy and if you decide to try it out, let me know how it goes!
NOTES: 1.) Season to taste. Some like it saltier than others. You may also try adding fish sauce or catsup. 2.) This goes well with steamed rice or bread. But go with steamed rice first THEN some bread.
Other shows worth noting: Sufjan Stevens and Raymond Raposa for “Beyond This Place”, Chris Colfer opening for Dashboard Confessional, George Sarah and The Strings, Ken Camden, Ha Ha Tonka, and Letting Up Despite Great Faults. Also, note: The photos for Moscow Olympics and The Radio Dept. are actually screenshots from videos I took. I didn’t bring my dSLR that night. 
I’m looking forward to seeing even more shows in 2012. A little useless fact: I’ve only been to two shows my whole life before 2011 (Jens Lekman and Paramore). Crazy, right? I had a pretty traumatic experience at the Jens Lekman show in 2010 and I dreaded the idea of squeezing myself in a crowd for a long time. That ended when I watched Sufjan Stevens (also in 2010) and felt the most amazing feeling after. I’m really thankful that I get to combine two of my biggest passions in life: music and photography. More of it in 2012 please!
Bloglovin’
