The magic stays with you, they said.

October 24, 2012.

A Wednesday that dawned without a cloud in a blue blue sky.

I, along with a group of friends, went to a theme park thinking that we would have an awesome time. That perceived awesome time was spent waiting in long long long lines. We spent 2 hours in line for an awesome roller coaster, only for the ride to malfunction just when we were about to get launched into outer space! Talk about wrong timing and bad luck (not that I believe in luck). But still! Getting asked to get off the ride when you didn't even experience it is quite maddening.

After that, we stayed clear of any lines because we couldn't take anymore queuing! Some of us we're cussing out the staff of the theme park for heartlessly shattering the opportunity to experience what would've been an awesome adrenaline rush. I wish they gave us candy for consolation or something. Two hours!! No, it was almost three hours! THREE HOURS OF OUR LIFE. For three hours we anticipated a ride that would blow us away but all we got IS NOTHING. We stood in line for three hours for nothing. It took a while before we got over it. That means we wasted more minutes to cope with the stress? No, it wasn't stress. I don't know what to call it. Disappointment? Misfortune? That's it. I'm going to call it a misfortune.

After that, more misfortunes came. It started to rain really hard. We were ten in the group but only three people had umbrellas, it would've been four but I lost my umbrella in the horror house. We were supposed to play paintball but because of the rain, the field is now muddy and it would be a hassle to play there. The ticket had a stub for a soft drink, and we were all craving for something to drink after waiting for nothing. When we got the drinks, viola!, they gave us a brand of soft drink that tastes like mothballs.

Misfortunes in life are inevitable. You go through it once in a while. And that's the point...you go THROUGH them. You fall down, then you stand up, learn from it, and pick up where you left off, stronger and smarter. I feel that the best response to those misfortunes is faith. We need to trust that a higher power is working behind those misfortunes we are experiencing.  Maybe it rained hard so that some of the park goers would go home. Consequently making the queues shorter so that we can enjoy more rides. We weren't able to ride the roller coaster, maybe because the ride isn't safe for one of us. Maybe because it's not yet the right time for that. Faith may bring an ability to accept the things we cannot change. Faith can help us to move on and to stand in a long line for another ride, with the strong conviction that it will be an awesome ride.

An hour before closing time, we managed to squeeze in 3 rides. That's not bad at all. It brought a sudden rise to our spirits. Indeed, the end of something is better than its beginning. You just gotta have faith.

Feels like I slept all day.

Yup. I feel like I just woke up from a 24-hour sleep. But that's just a feeling. I probably just slept for 14 hours or something. And also, I feel like I wanna sleep now, which is strange because I usually sleep at 3am and it's only 12am. Ha.
So, I'm reading this novel by David Nicholls... I've seen some parts of the movie. I'm telling you, some books are not as fun to read when you've seen some parts of the adapted movie. But I'm still reading it. I don't want to waste such a good book. So far, I'm having fun despite the fact of, you know, seeing some parts of its movie.

SPOILER ALERT. SPOILER ALERT! Do not read if you haven't seen or read the movie or the book and you still want to see or read it.
There's a part in the story where Dex writes an 11-page letter for Em. A love letter that's not really a love letter, asking Em, his best friend to be with him... And guess what, he fails to mail that letter which would've been the start of something so beautiful and right for the two of them. AAH! Dex and Em. Em and Dex. The book probably would end sooner if that letter got sent. That part of the book lead me to thinking of all the "what ifs" and "what could've beens" and the like in my life. It's mind-boggling to think of such things. I think it made me more sentimental than necessary. It's all too bittersweet to take in. I had to write something about it. One is not meant to think of things like that if you're past seems more promising than what you have now. It is the past. Sure, you can keep those wonderful memories, but you can't keep coming back to the past. It's the past. It's past. Get over it! Better things are coming.I'm sure of it. If you don't believe me, just read the 40th verse from Hebrews chapter 11!

This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.

Whenever you feel like what you have now isn't as good as what you had in the past, just remember that the future is bright. Remember that. God knows it. He has a great plan for you. Plans for you to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) 

I would probably write a book review once I finish the novel. That's something to look forward to.

I am not ____ enough.

Here comes my insecurity again. I've always struggled with it. I'm very insecure when it comes to my artworks. I feel so down when I see other people's great works. I feel like I will never be as good as them. That I'll never be good enough. Some days would comprise of wishing that I was as great as others and beating myself up for not being as great as others... It's becoming a cycle. I make an artwork, I stare at it for a while, then I look at other people's works and just feel so inadequate about my work. I hate it. I want it to stop. I need it to stop. I don't think there's any benefit to it. I know negative thinking has its perks but I want to stop believing in it so much.

I'm just so appalled at how insecure I can get when my Maker created me in His image. I cannot tell you, I do not know where to begin. I cannot fathom God's love for you. For me...For us! He really wants me to believe that I am enough. I am good enough. Thank You so much for giving me this message to meditate on for today. From now on, I will not give in to my enemy (insecurity). I will look at You if ever the enemy comes close. He who empowers me, amazes me, motivates me, loves me, cares for me, and forgives me. I have been equipped by His love and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to do whatever He called me to do. Therefore the mentality of not being good enough should be eradicated from my life. It will be eradicated. He loves me and knows what's best for me and that's all that matters.

I am enough.

Strokes of the day

I've been trying to break the routine of drawing girls.

It's always been a part of me. A comfort zone, you could say.

I've got a secret.

I'm trying to stay away from it.

Hopefully, I can resist.

That feeling of my strokes being too messy.

Is it really a feeling? Or a seeing?

I'm not sure if that's good or bad.

I don't want to think about it.

I do what I do the way I always do it.

If I can change that, would it be nicer? 

Or am I taking away something that's me from them? Like a signature? Like my personality?

I'll be posting more artworks here. 

I hope you appreciate them. :)

You can see my other works in Behance.

It's only love?!

I stumbled upon Matt Cardle's single, It's Only Love. What an outrage it has caused inside me. You don't say it's only love! You don't say that love won't carry you, hold you, save you or see you through! I hate the lyrics of that song. Love is everything. God is love. He is everything. He will carry you, hold you, save you, and see you through. So you don't say it's only love... You say: it's all about love, it's all for love, it's all because of love. Because love is everything.
God is supreme, all-powerful, wonderful, He knows you and He loves you. Don't ever forget that.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

October 9, 2012

The book was courtesy of a friend who likes to underline or book mark the parts of the book that she liked. I think should do that too. Haha

It was the last book I read and I'd like to share my thoughts about it before I forget them. ;) ;)

The story is narrated by Naomi, the teenage amnesiac. She forgot 4 years of her life when she "tripped/fell" down the stairs of Tom Purdue, her high school. Along with those years, she also forgot her best friend, Will and the reason why he calls her "Chief," her popular tennis player boyfriend, Ace, her parent's divorce, her mother's new family, his Dad's fiancé, even her skills in driving. Then she also meets James, "the boy with the questionable past and the even fuzzier future" (that's what was written at the back of the book).

I don't know why but I really liked the book. Or maybe I know why and I'm just not ready to tell you yet. Or maybe you'll know why after reading this book review. Sometimes, I feel like I can relate to Naomi, but I can't pinpoint which parts I can relate to. Weird, I know. I'm not sure if it's just me or it has something to do with Gabrielle Zevin's way of writing. It felt like I can feel what Naomi was feeling. In a way, sort of, I guess. Reading that novel made me realize that I don't completely imagine the face of the characters. I just imagine a face when needed, e.g. when the character is crying or smiling, or when their face is being described. Weird, I know. I guess I just imagine them as a whole person; I imagine the personality, not the physical appearance. Wow! (Sudden realization!) I should really apply that in the real world, seeing what's inside, what's significant; instead of outside appearance. Seeing or looking? Should one look for what's inside or see what's inside? Hmm. So many thoughts to ponder... Okay, now back to the book. I really liked Will, Naomi's best friend. He's just so...passionate, and geeky. He's a very likable character. He inspired me to make my own mixes for every important event in my life or maybe for a friend?

"Too much to say with none of the right words to say it. I'd rather just pick the perfect song to do the work for me."

That's what Will said about making mixes. Maybe in the near future, I'll be posting mixes in this sweet blog o'mine. Okay, so at the beginning of the third/second paragraph, I told you I'm not sure why I can relate to Naomi, but I think I know now... I think it's because the book was written in the first person which makes it easy to feel, think, or even act like the character. That's pretty amazing, isn't it? Another realization. I'm realizing a lot of things as I write. That's pretty amazing for me. BACK TO THE BOOK! Another thing I liked about it are the songs/mixes within the book. The mixes that Will made for Naomi so that she might remember some of the things she forgot. Music can have that effect on you... There's this song...every time I hear it, I remember the first time I watched it on MTV - the moment, the feeling, the weather that day, the arrangement of the furniture in the room, everything (sort of). The things that you don't normally remember unless you're subjected to the song. Kinda like nostalgia, I guess? Hahaha. I'm rambling now.

I highly recommend that you read the book. You'll not only enjoy Zevin's "sensitive, joyful...heart-bruising love story;" you'll also get acquainted with songs that you might like or even love...or not.

Here's a fun photo of the book (those stars and flowers are meant to encourage you to read the book. I hope it works)

For the love of school and food

Creativities made a video blog about three restaurants in Dapitan-UST area. Watch as we review these awesome places and feast your eyes on the sumptuous meals that we tried! :)

We really enjoyed making the video and I hope you enjoy it too! I highly encourage you to go on a food trip with your friends especially during stressful times. Eating good food is a great way to de-stress.

Also, watch out for our next episode as we take you on a food trip in P. Noval street!

Two Saturdays in One

Manix Abrera - the genius behind Kiko Machine Komix

exhibitors in THE Clothing

The official poster for the festival

Me with MALL's works :)

Me and @RosyBleu

Me with some artworks at Pen Pen's

Last Saturday (September 30, 2012), I attended the first Bloom Arts Festival in Cubao X. 70+ artists contributed their blood, sweat, and tears (figuratively, I hope). Artworks were displayed in selected shops and restaurants in Cubao's art haven. There were also special merchandise around for everyone, Bookay-Ukay, Designers of Asia, Moonleaf and others set up booths to sell their products. Some artists were also selling prints of their artworks, some were giving away stickers. A raffle promo was held during the event where lucky attendees won prints and artworks from some artists who exhibited their work. I got to meet artists whose works serve as an inspiration for me, like Tokwa Peñaflorida and Manix Abrera. I got to tell them how much of a fan I am. Haha! I love doing that - fangirling. I feel when someone has a positive effect on you, you have to tell them to pass on the good vibes all around. Quoting what a newspaper article said about the event, "art blooms all over Cubao X." It was a great event for artists and art enthusiasts. I felt great about the art scene here, it just goes to show that we have a ton of talented artists here in our country. I hope art will bloom even more 'cause I've always believed that art can make our country, if not the world, a better place. I hope they make it an annual event so that more artists can be showcased and the art scene here in the Philippines can grow into a big beautiful garden!

The awesome stage setup

The view from our seats!

Last night (October 6, 2012) was the first ever concert I attended in Araneta Coliseum! And it couldn't be better to have Foster the People be the first band that I watch live in that arena. I can't remember the name of the opening act but they sure got me pumped up for Mark Foster's wild dancing, beautiful singing, and his band mates' wonderful playing. The first song they played was Miss You. I can't get over Mark's electrified dancing while playing the piano, it's like some wild spirit has taken over his body. I love it. I keep looking back on that moment because I really felt his passion for what he's doing. FOSTER THE PEOPLE IS SO MUCH BETTER LIVE. The songs come alive with more personality than the recordings. And you have to see the band dance! They are truly passionate and you have to watch them live to see and feel that. During that concert, I released the stress I was feeling regarding school, and my insecurities. I head banged, jumped, danced, and sang my way out of those negative feelings and it worked!! Big thanks to Midas Promotions and Dayly Entertainment for bringing the band here in Manila, and especially to Foster the People for giving me an awesome first concert! And bigger thanks to God for the blessings, for being the motivation and for giving me the strength in finishing schoolwork so I can attend the concert. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW AWESOME OUR GOD IS! You just have to experience that for yourself, and I pray that you will. :)