My 2013 in Summary

Oke,  I felt so much better after my last blog post and the distraction on the web worked too.
Let me present in the blog my year in words [since I haven't posted much of them in the recent months].

Beware: It is one lengthy post. I'll try as much as possible to summarize the events per month so please do stick till the end :D

So here's what happened in 2013:

January

Back after 13 Years

Oke~, aside from it was the start of the new year, I had lots of fun with my officemates. We had lots of bonding moments together. One of the highlights of my January is the trip to Iloilo, my good officemate Don's hometown.

We went there in time for the Dinagyang Festival 2013. On 01.26.13, we arrived in Iloilo then stayed for Guimaras for a day to enjoy the beach there. It was not my first time to go there since I was part of my school's delegation to the 2nd Paulinian Summer Leadership Seminar held in SPUI back in 2000.

On 01.27.13, we went back to Downtown Iloilo to witness the festival itself. Here's some of the vids that I took in line with the event:





Thou I didn't able to go with my officemates to Boracay as I had to leave that night for Manila [it was, after all, my Mom's birthday], I had so much fun. It turned out that this was just the beginning of the many bondings that our team will be having for this year.


February
The highlight of this month really was my birthday but since I do nothing about it [just some simple celebration], the other occasions happened during this month became the highlight.

Just some of the Rushers Present

One of them is the Book Launch and First [of many] Book Signing of the Book Two [hence, #TeamBookTwo] my favorite Morning Radio Show, The Morning Rush. It happened days prior my birthday in Robinson's Galleria. I was somewhat late for the event since I came from Bulacan. What made this book so special to me that time was that I have two entries of of hundred and thousands of Rushers [the listeners] who sent theirs worldwide [yep, we have a cult over here haha]. It was good to see my fellow rushers towhich I am badly missing right now; I haven't been able to attend any EBs recently. (╯︵╰,)

Next up was the suddent [shotgun] wedding of my cousin Badeth in Paniqui, Tarlac which coincided with the 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark Air Base in Pampanga. I was able to attend both but I only got to stay on the latter event for just an hour or so.

Here's a photo of me with the Bride:

She was, I think, 3 years younger than me but she was the first one [bet the two of us] to marry hahaha. Also, I serve as her godparent [towhich I am still puzzled till now].

I did serve as the Maid-of-Honor of the wedding [since I was still single and too young to be part of the Sponsors (((( ;°Д°))))]. Look at how beautiful I was. Hahaha :P

Here's a video of my quick trip to the Hot Air Balloon Festival:




March
For this month, the highlight was my first Cosplay Group Photoshoot that I had with my group, Cosplay Le Familia. It was also my first time to attend a photoshoot outside conventions. I was nervous at first but then after some clicks and some warm-ups, I got confident with them.

This is the Family that I love hanging-out every otaku conventions and events

Also this month, The Cosplay Goddess of the Philippines, Alodia Gosiengfiao, graced The Morning Rush with my tweet paving the way. My rusher friend Daniel and I was also included in the Epic Pic the Kikay Barkada had. Here's the photo:

We're going moe and kawaii yet Chico stays kowaii hahaha

April
This month, various events happened. There was The RX Summer Stick-on [happened just outside my office here in Eastwood], Ozine Fest [thou I didn't stay too long], then my office Summer Party, then also another cosplay group photoshoot happened in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Let me share to you some pics from there events:

The Monster Van as seen from my office

Cool Booth Set-up in Ozine Fest

Some of the pics in IBM Mobility Neon Nite [I'm the one with the wig on]

The Epic Cosplayers and Photographers of Cosplay Le Familia

May
Nothing much happened during May, aside from the Birthday Party for DJ Andre of RX and the One Piece Movie Z showing in SM Cinemas.

The Weeners, listeners of the [now defunct] RX Afterhours

Andre with my Rillakuma gift

movie date with fellow Rusher and otaku, Ron

June
This month's highlight is my First Anniversary as a Cosplayer. I already posted about it sometime this year so let me just share to you some of my pics during that event. (´∀｀)♡

Credits to Raymond Sison

Credits to Chuck and Christian [again and again]

July
This month's highlight was that of my Okaasan's hospitalization. Only a few knew about this [not even our relatives knew about it] since we want my Mom to avoid unnecessary stress. She had Hysterectomy, after finding out the real reason of her bleeding for months. No pics will be shared here since it was a private affair. Hope you understand.


August
During this month, I got sick, really really sick, for the first time due to overworking, overfatigue, and stress at work. I thought I'll get hospitalized too, if my temperature didn't go down on the third day.

Also, another highlight was the Fantasy Quest 3 held annually in Fernwoods Garden. It was my second time attending FQ but what made it more special was the people I was with: my CLF. I had a chance to wear a full furisode kimono thanks to Kuya Archie. (∩_∩) We even stayed in one of the member's place after the event so we had a house party!

September
What made my September one of my busiest months was the fact that I had to go to the province in So. Leyte with my Otousan then had to return to Manila after just spending some hours there at the same time attend a convention since I had to meet some people there.

Here are some pics from that tiring yet fulfilling trip:

I'm very much weak to any body form of water

Doing the #Shundere pose hehehe

October
Highlight of this month was the Cosmania 2013 wherein we got to do a first group cos [by the form of Sket Dance] and got to meet and greet Reika. Also, met some cosplayers which in turn became my new friends.

Reika and [the close-eyed] I

Group Cos with CLF

Poor Sket Dance, being bullied by The Student Council

My Cosplay for Cosmania 2013 Day 2

This month also left a mark to me due to the sudden demise of one of my Aunts from Okaasan's side, which was so close to me. Tita Flor, I'm missing you so much. We all miss you.

November
This was the most-awaited month of the year due to two things: First, it was the 10th Anniversary Dance Concert of Mapua Makati DanceCom, the dance group that I belong to back in college; second it was the trip that my team and Apple's team had come up. We booked a flight to Cagayan de Oro during our Thanksgiving holidays [since we're all in US Account so we follow their holidays]. Guess what, we all enjoyed the trip so much! So much that we wanted to set another trip with the teams involved! We tried the White River Rafting and the Ziplines in CDO and Bukidnon respectively.

Here's some of the pics and vids that we had during our trip:

December
Well, nothing much happened during this month, except for the endless parties and get-together that we had, left-and-right.

And oh, I attended the Christmas Toycon and the Ozine Year-ender Con and had fun with some old friends, met new ones, and err, just basically had fun.

Some pics with some people during this month:

☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆

My 2013 is indeed a roller coaster ride, with full of ups and downs. Four hours and 45 minutes to go, I'll be saying goodbye to the year that was.

I just want to extend my gratitude to the people that I got to be with for the past 365 days, be it everyday, during otaku-related events only, be it once a month or just once this year. You just made my 2013 a colorful one and I hope you won't get tired of this girl, err, lady, err, whatever you thinks of me! Hahaha

Let me end this post by a simple prayer:

Lord, I thank you for the wonderful life that you have given me

You've given me a good family thou there are some conflicts at times

You've given me wonderful friends from different walks and paths of life

You've given me a good shelter to live on

You've given me something to earn a living

You've given me countless blessings that I myself cannot fathom anymore

I thank you for the endless opportunities

For the never-ending travels and tours that you allow me to be in

For the hundred todays and thousand tomorrows

Lord, I ask you to guide my family and friends

To teach them hope and faith

Tell them to forgive one another as we have forgiven them

Tell them to let go of the past to be able to embrace today

and to welcome tomorrow

This we ask, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

☆*･゜ﾟ･*\(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆HAPPY NEW YEAR MINNA! ☆*･゜ﾟ･*\(^O^)/*･゜ﾟ･*☆

明けましておめでとうございます｡

The Last Post for 2013 [Or So I Assume]

Eight hours and 15 minutes to go before we say goodbye to 2013 and welcome the year that is 2014.

But somewhere inside me I'm not happy.

I'm not in the festive mood.

And I don't know why.

Maybe because I'm at work right now and not at home, unlike the previous years?

Maybe because I got lots of things to do yet I haven't started anything?

Maybe because... ugh. I'm just making excuses.

Outside of my office there'll be a New Year Countdown that will happen tonight yet I won't be able to even have a glimpse of it since after staying in the office I'll be flying away to Bulacan. I have to ride the bus before it gets too dark.

And before the firecracker-happy people starts their much-awaited moment.

Oh well, I should start looking for myself again before I welcome the new year with a gloomy face.

I Really Should Get Back to Blogging ASAP!

As I type this words I am headbanging along to the music the online J-Pop streaming site named Armitage's Dimension is currently playing [The song is Reireireireireireireireimamamamamamamama from Maximum The Hormone. Kinda long title, eh?  (゜▽゜;)].

I was trying to gather my thoughts as to what to type in. Honestly, I just rode a roller coaster with the sudden shift of my moods from morning till now. This morning I was like ready to challenge someone to a fight, then come lunchtime I got focused on my "work" then now I'm trying to blog. Maybe I could give some credits to my monthly visitor. (　-。-)

I am lost in my own train of thoughts. I really don't know what to blog and where to start. Maybe because I got lots of pending posts that I haven't started typing yet, be it my travels since last year [yes, I haven't blogged about my HK/Macau trip wholly until now], or some other activities that I have [cosplay, dance concert, work, et al.]. I just don't have the leisure to do them all! ﾍ(;´Д｀ﾍ)

Or am I just making excuses? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe because it's easier to post in my FB profile and page than post them here? I don't know.

But I really do have to go back to posting my adventures here, especially that in two days time I'll be flying in to Cagayan de Oro with my office mates. I must finish blogging them before I leave.

How I wish the drive to blog would come and possess me. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow...

Pre-Cosplay Mania 2013 Post

Barely less than 24 hours left before one of Philippines' biggest annual cosplay conventions take place in SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia Complex.

What event is this? I'm talking about Cosplay Mania 2013, also known as Cosmania 2013, presented by folks from Cosplay.ph.

Every year the organizers present something different. For this weekend's event, they have prepared lots of surprises too! I won't elaborate much what were those and what they will offer us this year. They're in-charged of those things hehe.

What makes this cosplay event more exciting for me is the fact that for the first time, my very own cosplay group, Cosplay Le Familia, will engage in a group cosplay! 

Guess what anime will we cosplay tomorrow..... it's Sket Dance!

For those who are following my posts on my Facebook Page and/or Twitter, you might know already who I am going to cosplay for tomorrow. But for those who don't, better start liking the page and hit that follow button now!

Just kidding. ;) Of course, I'll present her to you guys. But better start following me there or else, I'll let you meet your grave. LOL. :P

Meet Asahina Kikuno, my cosplay for Cosmania 2013 Day 1. ^_^V

Expect me to glare at you
and poke your eyes

For complete details on Daisy-chan, you may visit this Wikia page.

So far, I only have a concrete cosplay plan for day 1. I still haven't decided who to go as on the second day. I do have some costumes prepared at home but it's just me who's still hesitating to use them. I might decide by tomorrow after day 1 ^^;; #certifiedcrammingcosplayer hehehe :D

What makes this event even more exciting for me [aside from the fact stated above] is the reason I'm gonna see Reika up-close and personal! Being one of the lucky winners of the extra meet-and-greet passes, some of my ka-Familia and I will be able to meet one of our idols in the cosplay scene. Rei-kyaa~!

Also, I'll have a glimpse of the uberly handsome Kaname thou I don't have the pass for his meet-and-greet. It's okay for me at least I'll get to be in the same hall as him. :">

As I finish this post I am getting more and more excited for tomorrow and on sunday. I just hope I don't get starstruck once I see them and the other international cosplayers.

And oh, before I forget, I crammed awhile ago [while working on my items; Please don't tell it to Manager-san ^^;;] and created 3 designs for my coscards. I really do suck in designing and styling so I opted for simpler designs. I'll post it some other time once I have them printed later.

Gotta practice my spiels also later. D.O.S! hehe :D

Just One Simple Work-Related Rant

This post is a work-related rant so it's up to you to read it or not. I won't give in too much information as for the specific process and/or the people concerned as this will be a downgrade in my 'office grade', oke~?

I work for a big BPO company. If you're following me on my Facebook profile you definitely know what company I am in. And if you're following me on my Twitter account you'll get a hint of what process I am handling [or handled before].

Recently, my team was forced to merge with the other account's team of the same nature. I am in NA Account and was previously in Night shift. To be merged to the AP Account means that we have to come in the office during daytime instead of night and the shift allowance will be pulled out from our salaries.

Aside from those, we've encountered so many other changes that it seems we have a new mandated transformation every week! This was all promulgated by our Manager and some of them are not comfortable to us anymore.

It's as if they're holding us already by the neck, purposely not letting us go for us to be controlled totally, which is not good in any sense.

As I type these words I'm on the look-out to see if that guy [yes, it's a he] is lurking around and looks if we're working or not. I'm currently working, at the same time thinking the statements that I should be typing in. Multi-tasking at its finest!

To be honest, I'm really waiting for that special thing that's why I'm hanging onto my job tightly. Also, I have my monthly dues to pay so having no job right now is a no-no for me. But having this kind of management nowadays really sucks bigtime!

I need more reasons aside from my current ones to work harder, perform better, and stay longer in here. Negative factors around this office is starting to pile up in front of me and I don't think I have the capacity to shove them over now.

So far, I can still stay put and fight this battle silently, doing the daily jobs that I have in my own way without their guidance or oversee. I just don't want to feel that one day I'll be waving the white flag and say 'I quit!' to them. I still have faith that everything will be alright soon.

I just hope the management will try to open up their ears and minds to our please. If not, there's a thing called escalation. ;)

Into The Cosplay World

Checking my posts here on blogspot makes me realize one thing: I haven't posted anything about me entering a new and creative world since last year!

Yes, I have started this new venture to the cosplay world last year. That was June 16, 2012 to be exact. But prior to my cosplay debut, I always attend cosplay events. Well, it might not be as always as now, but I do attend those that irks my interests.

My First Cosplay. And yes, I had also my first cosplay
catwalk during Toycon 2012

When I first tried attending an event in full cosplay [Megurine Luka geisha cosplay], I can say that I really am a newbie, compared with the more experienced ones that I was with that day.
I had a hard time putting on the make-up since I am not used to do it. I was somewhat conscious with my costume, wig, and poses all the time! I thought only few will recognize who I was cosplaying. Thank God that people appreciated it. Some even had taken a picture of me. I just don't know if they posted it. But I grabbed some. Hehe~

Months after, I attended a cosplay ball event. Of course, I went in a full cosplay, in red gown, depicting Madame Red from Kuroshitsuji, thou my version is somewhat different with the original one. But that's a different story.

Thou I did skip some events, as much as I could, I did go to the major cosplay conventions in town. There's Best of Anime, Cosmania, and some other else. Eventually, I met fellow cosplayers [who are much more experienced that I am] and welcomed me to their 'family' which became mine too.

My First Cosplay Shoot with CLF

Joining Cosplay Le Familia paved my way of attending cosplay shoots organized by the cosplayers and photographers themselves. I was shy at first but then after some clicks and shots, I became at ease with the concept.

I'm enjoying every minute that I am cosplaying. It's as if I'm not the usual me who's always working stressing out. It's seems that the character that I was portraying possessed me for awhile to properly convey her. And I hope I still get to do it more, even though I'm encountering financial problems with it.

The next time I attend an event in a full cosplay on, I will blog it right away. I just have been very much busy with work that I tend to forget to update everyone about my activities.

Join the 30-Day Abs-and-Core Challenge

Hi guys!

I know I've been absent again for long. Well, not really long. But yes, I'm back!

credits to owner

And as for my comeback, I'll be joining in a fitness challenge recommended by my good friend Lara Novales, blogger of Thinspirational Journey.

The goal is to follow routines of exercises she has made for 30 days. The intensity is pretty much easy that even noobs can do it on their own!

Since I've been having troubles with my abdomen area after my hiatus on dancing, this is the perfect time to
try this one out. Also, the timing is perfect as I am setting my mind to cosplay some well-fit characters soon.

I will keep you posted probably on a weekly basis as to my progress on this challenge. I just have to remind myself to jot down some notes that I'll be posting up here.

For the list of routines to be done, you may refer to the post on Lara's blog here or you may ask her on her Facebook page for more details.

For the proper execution of the exercises, you may first seek help from Google-sensei or Youtube-sensei to avoid casualties. Also, remember to stretch a little.

Let's aim for a leaner body and we should start now!

I Am In A Quarter Life Crisis And I Am Not Gonna Conceal It Anymore

Since I was on-leave at work due to excessive OTs and stressed brought by my work and what else, I decided to somewhat surf the net and make myself busy, even for awhile.

Basically, I got nothing to do but to rest.

But the more I realize I am alone in this house the more I feel sad, to which I am afraid will lead to depression if I haven't opened my TP and began surfing online. Thank you for technology!

I stumbled upon 25 Pictures That Will Make You Believe in True Love [see it here] that was on my Facebook timeline then saw another set of pictures before finally seeing this incredible post that summed up all the feelings that I had these recent months.

"Are You Having A Quarter Life Crisis?", so says the post. Hesitant as I may be, I decided to click on the link, provided that it's not some phishing site [I have to make sure of that first] then it brought me to a video post. I played it, waited for it to load, and finished it. I even replayed it to see that I understood what the video is trying to tell me.

Then I stopped what I was doing.

And there was an Eureka moment.

That was just moments ago.

It made me realized that indeed I was in the middle of a crisis.

My friends tweeted me about it, saying that I am in a midlife crisis or some sort. I disagreed to them, saying that I am just questioning myself about my life, my path, and my what-ifs and what-nots. Yeah, they all seemed to be excuses I made because I really do not grasp the fact that I am having a crisis.

Not until now.

The video opened my eyes, as if it was really talking to me, as if it knows me personally and knows what I am going through right now.

Its end note? Relax. Take a deep breathe. Everything's gonna be fine.

And I did.

Sure it didn't give any concrete solutions to what I am going through. Sure it did't give out any nicer  or better advice [or more appropriate, if you know what I mean], but having it say those encouraging words, it made me turn around.

Somehow, my perspective changed.

And I found myself writing about this here in my blog.

Yes, I now admit. I do have a crisis that I was hiding for so long that it does want to burst out from me already. I even blogged about it indirectly in my previous posts but only now do I say that I am in the middle of the crossroad to which I do not know where to go.

Letting it go out here won't change anything, I know. But what matters the most is that I am not concealing it anymore to avoid any inner complications. Maybe because I am more attracted to get sick because I am sick from inside and I do not even acknowledge it.

To end this post for now, I'm embedding the video that made me awake to this crisis. And yes, I'm sharing it to all to help, since I'm not alone in this boat.

Lost and Lonely

I find myself typing words that I commonly share to others personally, either via SNS or thru phone calls and messages.

Due to rapid changes in my life recently and never-ending activities that make me dead tired, I wasn't able to update this one channel I have. And now, I see myself alone.

Don't get me wrong. I am literally not alone. It's the emptiness within me that makes me feel such. I've already expressed this a number of times to a handful of friends that I could confide to. They gave me various responses to this dilemma that I have. Yes, I tried them; they made me feel ok, but only for a short time.

If only there was an available Lactulose for such emotion then I would have probably bought it already from the nearest pharmacy.

I see myself standing in a long, dark, and winding road, with no one beside me. I am alone in this journey. Yes, I have braved the previous walks for me to be able to be in my current position, but I do not know if I still have the capacity to move forward without someone guiding me.

I have friends and family to confide to but I don't think they're pretty much enough to make me move even just an inch from where I am right now. No, I am not losing hope that they would make me do so, but I think this is far from the filial touch that I have.

I do know how to read route maps and compasses but currently, I do not possess any, nor do I have a GPS on-hand. If only I have a guide to where I am supposed to be then everything will be easier.

I am longing for that helping hand to safe me from this misery. I do not want to be stuck in this situation for long. I am not good handling depression and loneliness that's why I have to get out from this road immediately.

I just don't know how.

Hoping It's Just a Dream, Only Just a Dream...

I had an 'apocalyptic dream' again this morning...

My mom and I were currently in the wake of my close cousin at the time of my dream in Bicol. We were the only person inside the small house of my Aunt that time. As creepy as it is, he suddenly started to move inside his coffin, came back to life to warn us that there's an approaching asteroid that will hit the country any moment, that we should evacuate that moment immediately! As for my other relatives, they were outside the place as we were told about this.

I began fixing some things, bringing only the most essential necessity that I could grab: toiletries, some money, nearest clothes that I could get, emergency kits, the likes. Mom was skeptical about it but when she saw it in the news (that time she was using her Tab computer to surf the net) she hurriedly picked us up, left my cousin in his coffin who's back being motionless again, then rode the nearest jeepney that we saw. Of course, I called out my relatives to ride with us.

I told them what happened inside, as I cling close to my very cute niece, my brother's daughter to be excat. Initial reaction was disbelief but when my Mom told everything they were dumbfounded. As we drive along the highway, far from the lowland place that we had, I saw in the news that the asteroid fell somewhere north of us, thou not really a direct hit to our place, but there will be effects. Then the satellite feed showed us that the highway near my Aunt's place were already flooded.

The last thing I could remember on this dream was that we're still moving forward, not stopping along the highway. What we rode was a public vehicle who can still pick up some passengers but upon hearing our story he didn't stop to pick some other and just continued driving.

The end of my dream.

My initial reaction upon waking up to this? silence. I checked my current location to see that I am not really in that dream, to check that I am still in my bed, making love to it.

I am not new in this kind of dreams. In fact, this is the nth time that I had such, but it was a different scenario this time.

What bugging me the most is the dead close cousin of mine. Currently, that close cousin is living somewhat near to my place. Even though we weren't able to see each other recently, I know he's okay, with his family.

I don't know the reason for such dream to come to me. And I really hope and pray, just like in my other apocalyptic dreams, that this is really just a dream, and that, nothing will come to life from this dream.

Iron Man 3 Epic Trailer

Iron Man 3 has started to be shown in the Philippine cinemas. People can't get enough of the Playboy, Philanthropist, Arrogant Billionaire that Tony Stark is.

Now, let me share to you a very epic and great trailer only Asia has for the 3rd installment of the Iron Man series. Credits to its rightful owners. Just found it here.

Enjoy watching!

P.S. I read that it's a Thai Production. If it is, kudos to the whole team for the job well-done. :)

Virtual Holy Week

Have you been troubled with what to do during the Holy Week? Do you want a hassle-free tour of different churches around the Philippines without even spending thousands for it? Do you want a worry-free but solemn commemoration of Our Lord's Passion and Death on the Cross?

Worry no more for Rappler.com has come up with their own way for the Holly Week: The Virtual Way.

This concept is not new to anyone. In fact, CBCP has also released their own Virtual Visita Iglesia two years ago. And hopefully it will still be continued this year.

Check out this link for The Rappler's Virtual Holy Week here.

Also, you can check their article about it here.

For CBCP's Lenten Presentation which includes their own virtual Visita Iglesia, visit this link.

Go and hit that bookmark icons for easier browsing by Holy Thursday.

May everyone has a solemn holy week.

The Reason Why We Don't Have Sailor Earth

 Do you know why we don't have Sailor Earth? The reason is shown below.

Come on, click on the link and know the truth.

Real Reason Why We Don't Have Sailor Earth :D

Confusion

I really don't know what you're doing to me
your words, oh so sweet
your actions, so contradicting

One day we're ok
the next day we're not

I don't know where to place
should I stay within
or cross the line?

If I do will this change everything
or will it worsen it?

Can you please clear this out
make me feel ok
make me feel  happy