Day 273: Happy Faces

Sometimes, no matter how down I feel it's difficult not to put on a brave face, because you know there are probably other folks who have it worse than you do.  I think about that, and I feel foolish about my own sentiments.  It doesn't make it go away, but it somehow puts it on the back burner.  That's why there's no way I can hate my job.  Not when you encounter faces like these that smile despite everything.

If you're wondering what commotion happened, they were so excited to have their picture taken that half of the bodies fell down.  It must have been painful, but no one was crying.

This song reminds me of this class: Won't Go Home Without You (Maroon 5)

Day 272: A Vague Discontent

This is my take on em.em's Slow Down post.

I guess it's time for me to face my demons.  I have been feeling a vague discontent for some time now.  I blame it to quarter-life crisis.  I try to shove it to the gutter, because I wanted to take charge of my happiness.  However, there are times when you just have to give in to the distress.  High time, too.  All this finding different ways to keep me cheerful is beginning to make me feel bipolar.  I just hope I get to figure it out this time.  I have never been able to point a finger at whatever is making me anxious.

Just in time to mix it with a video premier for Adele's Someone Like You.

Day 271: Noodle Breakfast

I had a noodle breakfast with a friend at North Park today.  Shrimp dumpling and 3-kinds of mushroom on empress noodles.  Yummy!

Day 270: I Need A Drink

There are those challenging days when you just want to end it with a drink.  Hopefully, something strong and relaxing.  This is one of those days.  I can't even tell you when my day started because it seems like the last one never really ended.  After showering and feeding myself, I decided to hit the sack because I had an early start.  I didn't think it would be difficult to sleep.  Not in bed weather.  However, I did not count on having the window of the apartment above mine to be left open.  Given that the wind was on a 93mph rage, it just banged the window repeatedly against the shutters.  It would have been a blessing if that window broke, but it didn't.  It kept me awake the entire time I was supposed to be sleeping.

Now, work, no matter how stressful, is more or less enjoyable for me.  I was dead on my feet, though, by the time I hit my ninth hour.  So, off to home I went.  I decided to drop by an ATM to withdraw funds.  Taxi fare do not come cheap, after all.  Well, what do you know?  The stinking machine did not dispense!  The bank, also doesn't seem to be picking up.  I do not know how this will get resolved, but I'm drinking a glass and getting in bed.  The worries can be bothered with tomorrow.  I'm so tired I can't  even get angry.

Day269: Smoked Tanigue, Dill Sauce and Bed Weather

Here comes the rain.  I went home nearly soaked through.  The wind even broke my umbrella.  Good old sturdy one that lasted me nearly four years.  One blow from that wind, and there she goes.  After showering that typhoon off me, I'm now relaxing with a plate of smoked tanigue, a serving of dill sauce and some nice old 80's music.

Playing: Upside Down (Two Minds Crack)

Day 268: Conversations Over Coffee at UCC

I spent a humid Sunday afternoon with a friend at UCC, drinking blended coffee while watching the light of the sky change.  We talked about major life changes, quarter-life crisis, living a healthier lifestyle, trying out new things, getting over bad habits and learning new ones.  I told her about getting into boxing and running, and she shared about wanting to take language classes.  There were so many things we wanted to do, and so many places we wanted to see.  I guess, it does prove that this is the age of restlessness.  I do not know why our generation seem to think that we do not have enough time to do everything we want.  It's as if we have somehow projected our mortality to be shorter than the rest, so we have to do everything now.  Which isn't really the case.

There were several things we talked about and some things we decided on.  It was an enriching discussion.  The conversation somehow inspired me to plan for several things.  Things I really want to do, and places I really want to visit.  Overall, it was a satisfying way to spend a laid back Sunday.

Wouldn't it be nice to have more Beautiful Days (Arashi) like this?

Day 267: Garden Tomato Toner

Lazy Saturday.  I had nothing interesting to take a picture of.  This is my toner, then.  A daily necessity.  I like it because unlike other toners I have tried, it doesn't sting.  In fact, it kind of cools down the face after use.

Day 266: City of Blinding Lights

"Oh.  You.  Look.  So.  Beautiful tonight!" - City of Blinding Lights (U2)

Dusk facing Manila harbor side of the city.  This view definitely makes me happy.  A little bit of trivia.  I was born in a building included in the frame.

Day 265: Rice Crackers

I snack on rice crackers on days when I can't think of anything to eat.  Sometimes, I don't even realize I finished an entire pack already.

Day 264: Run, Baby, Run

So, I also started running.  There must be something wrong with my brain cells right now, because it's encouraging me to live a healthy lifestyle.  Seriously.

A friend and I decided to run on the days we don't box.  It's more to compensate for the days we don't get to workout.  I agreed.  I don't know why I did, but I did.

Day 263: Gloved

Finally got my own boxing gloves.  Yay!

I honestly did not think that I would enjoy boxing.  I don't even watch Manny Pacquiao's fights.  It's a good way to work out, though.  It's also a healthy way to vent.  Lest I end up getting stressed enough to get murderous, I can vent through boxing.

Day 262: Tricycle

A domestic mode of transportation.  Like the jeepney, these little vehicle is a byproduct of the Filipino ingenuity. To accommodate more people, why not put a sidecar to a motorcycle and charge folks for riding it?  I personally find it a brilliant idea.

Day 261: Tower II

This is probably one of my favorite buildings in the city.  Primarily because I spend a lot of time here.  Incidentally, this was the exact same building where I first worked.  Talk about deja vu.

Day 260: Keys

This keys got me running around like a duck on Friday shift, which I'd just like to share.  I needed to go home halfway through my shift because I needed to change (don't ask why).  On the way down, I realized that I left my keys in my bag.  So, I ran back up to get it.  I took a cab and rushed home so I can be back before my next meeting.  I asked for the cab driver to stay, so he can take me back to the office.  I rushed back to work, and when I got there, I realized I didn't have my keys with me.  I was trying not to panic, but was advised to go home to check my apartment.  I left, nearly forgetting to take my wallet with me, and found my keys inserted in the lock.  How Stupid (Sarah McLachlan) is that?

Day 259: Snow Cones

Snow cone from Mercato.  It was such a humid day, and the snow cones were calling our names.  It feels just like fourth grade again.

Day 258: Blisters

I got my first blister from boxing today.  It hurts like a papercut, too.  I will still box, though.  It's to fun to abandon. 

Day 257: Salmon Quiche

I got an entire pie of salmon quiche from my mom and have been feasting on it.  I love salmon.  I love fish.  I love food, period.

Day 256: Listen

Okay.  There seems to be a lot of other things I'm getting into lately.  ergo, the poor quality of this photo.  I took this photo in response to the theme of the week.  I realize, however, that it made me think of how little I've been paying attention to this project.  Maybe I should look into finding more time to devote on this project.

Day 255: Abaniko

A learner from work got this as a souvenir from Bacolod and gave it to me.  I've been usin it as a decorative piece in my apartment.  It fits the entire wicker theme. 

Day 254: Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate truffles from my mom.  I love them.  I'm not a huge chocolate person, but I love truffles.  You can't go wrong with them.

Day 253: Criminal Minds Marathon

I spent the day watching season 6 of Criminal Minds.  This has been a favorite ever since I watched the first season.  I love the entire cast.  They each bring something different to the table.  This season kept me glued to the TV so much that I forgot the day was over.  The entire Ian Doyle arc was fantastic.  I loved the twists in this season and I'm looking forward to the next one.  BAU for the win!

Day 252: Lucas at Halftime

This is Lucas, Basti's Yorkshire Terrier.  He went to Mercato with us and attended the company sportsfest.  The little thing is so adorable.  I'm tempted to get my own dog, too.  

Day 251: The Girl Who Played With Fire

So, I haven't really been following my reading list.  Given the number of things I have to do, it's a little difficult to find time to just lie down and read.  I say lie down, because I prefer reading like that.  It has never impaired my vision in any way.  Anyway, I've been trying to finish the Millenium Trilogy, and I'm on the second book.  I've seen the Swedish films, and I have to say that I find Lisbeth Salander such an amazing character.  I also think that Noomi Rapace is fantastic.  In fact, I think I girl crushed on her playing Lisbeth.  I hope to finish this book by the end of this month and work on the third one next month.

Day 250: Muji Pens

I love my Muji pens.  I had hoped to collect all colors, however, I do not think that it would be possible.  There's just too many colors to choose from.  It's almost as if they want you to get broke trying to complete the set. :P

Day 249: Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon

I got these lovely reds as an early Christmas present!  I will try not to touch it until Christmas.  Key words are: I will try.  Just so you know, I failed the marshmallow test the first time.

I got to box again today, too.  Yay!  I'm beginning to really enjoy this sport.  I don't know how long I'll enjoy it, but I'll take it for as long as the magic lasts for me.

Speaking of magic while it lasts, I'm getting addicted to Rock Mafia.  Fly or die is currently on loop.

Day 248: Lit Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

It's was a pretty nice sunny day.  What's nicer is that I didn't have work.  I met up with some friends from work to watch Zombadings: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington.  The title itself is worth a laugh.  It was pretty hilarious, with a heart-tugging twist.

On my way home, I tried using bokeh on the street lights.  It looked just like Christmas. :)

Day 247: Peek-A-Boo

My family came over to visit this Sunday, and I was too busy playing with my nephew to take a decent picture.  He won't even sit still for a photo.

We spent time watching Disney movies.  The only one that fascinated him was Beauty and the Beast.  Maybe because all the other movies are of Disney princesses.  Hahaha...

Day 246: Bead Up

This Saturday was pretty boring.  I spent it indoors watching movies hoping I get another feel good similar to Crazy, Stupid, Love.  No such luck yet.

Anyway, here's an earworm for you: The Big Bang (Rock Mafia).  The whistling reminds me of Twisted Nerve from Kill Bill, and it's just as rattling to the psyche.

Day 245: Mixed Ravioli

Met some friends for breakfast at Bizu.  This is my mixed ravioli.  Rewarded myself a little after working out three days out of the entire week.  Maybe all that delayed gratification/marshmallow test does amount to something.

Playing: Shimmy Shimmy Quarter Turn (Hellogoodbye)

Day 244: An Exercise in Boxing

I have been ranting about getting some exercise done for some time and have resolved to live a less lethargic lifestyle.  Finally, after much dilly-dallying, I wounded up working out with a very unlikely sport - boxing.

Yep.  I am taking up the sport that has made Manny Pacquiao famous.  A colleague is into boxing and has been using the sport to workout for about three months now, she's been encouraging us to try it out.  We finally found a gym near where we work that can accommodate us at a very early hour.  So, off to box we went.

I find it an interesting sport.  You do something else every three minutes.  Literally.  Stretch, run, speed ball, spar, punch bag, heavy bag, jump rope, stretch, cool down.  The cool down was my favorite.  It comes with a massage.  How fantastic is that?  I ached all over, but it felt great.  I guess, I like working out more than I lead people to believe I do.  I actually like the endorphin Rush (Dean Geyer).