Simplify

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.

- Hans Hofmann

And this quote spoke to me today. Simplify. De-clutter.

Focus and what's truly important to you and you'll find yourself amidst the luring charms of the world.

I've been thinking about self-worth. Sometimes, there are things that make you doubt yourself, but these are the same things that keep you grounded. The desire and need for self-improvement never wanes. It's just a matter of how dedicated you are.

I started watching "Nobuta wo Produce" last night. Got to keep the ears attuned to the Japanese language. And of course, I'll need to be stricter with violin practice :|

michael antonio

I discovered a new shoe store today - Michael Antonio @ SM Annex. It looked like one of those High Street shoe shops, similar to Steve Madden, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that the prices were in a more or less reasonable range (along the lines of Charles & Keith). Got myself two pairs of sandals (for the hot summer weather) and Zel chose a pair of studded turquoise sandals for herself. My sister's discovering her fashionista self :

Shots from Michael Antonio.

My dad bought me a new bag :D Hehe. For days, he's mentioned the sad state of the bag I carry to the office. Unexpected gifts have a way of brightening days too :)

Had dinner at Sakae Sushi. Ni and Zel downed plates of salmon sushi :)

The trip to the mall today was relaxing. It was nice walking around (and buying stuff *wink*) as there weren't that many people. It's nice to be able to leave work for a bit after "work hours."

book wish list

I want to read...

1. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2. The latest book by Sarah Addison Allen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon
3. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

when i look at you

Today was a pretty relaxing albeit uneventful Sunday.

Spent the morning cleaning up my room. Watched Gimik - it was like a trip down memory lane, remembering those Saturday afternoons when I'd be glued to the television cheering Melanie and Bryan on. Teenage years :| Hehe.

Heard Miley Cyrus' "When I Look At You" today. I love the lyrics. It's comforting to have someone to go home to, or someone to talk to. There are some people who just soothe.

Everybody needs inspiration

Everybody needs a song

Beautiful melody, when the nights so long

Cause there is no guarantee

That this life is easy

When my world is falling apart,

when there is no light to break up the dark

That's when I look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore and I

can't find my way home anymore

That's when I look at you

When I look at you

I see forgiveness, I see the truth

You love me for who I am like the stars

hold the moon

Right there where they belong and I know

I'm not alone

When my world is falling apart,

when there is no light to break up the dark

That's when I look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore and I

can't find my way home anymore

That's when I look at you

When the waves are flooding the shore and I

can't find my way home anymore

That's when I look at you

You appear just like a dream to me

Just like kaleidoscope colors that cover me

All I need every breath that I breathe

Don't you know you're beautiful

When the waves are flooding the shore and I

can't find my way home anymore

That's when I look at you

You appear just like a dream to me.

Headed off to Trinoma afterwards. Ran into Char's mom and Candee :) Shopped for Nini's dress (for H's graduation). Found a pretty black dress at [X]. Had dinner at Cyma, where I think I ate too much (>.<);

Thanks to D for being patient and for understanding my crankiness. I've been cranky lately, I think because of the combined effects of stress at work, the heat, and boredom. I should probably look into finding new activities to fill my weekday nights or weekends. Or, I should just come up with a three-month goal to work towards. Could be just the thing :)

resistance

I'm resisting my current work duties.

Is it because of my principles and beliefs?

Is it because I just dislike the work I'm being asked to perform?

Is it because I shirk away from responsibility?

Is it because I lack expertise or experience?

Or could it be all of the above?

All I know is that work is stressing me out. My mindset is stressing me out.

My LEAP mates would ask, "Where is the resistance coming from?"

I would say that it's because I have no idea where to start. All I have is a mishmash of internet data, past documents, and a vague notion in my head of what my work duties mean.

I'm working on my resistance though. I'm trying to. As my coach would say, just doing it helps. After all, the first step is always the toughest. Once made, the rest just falls into place.

D had dinner with us today at Banana Leaf. Zel and my mom got back from Fontana tonight :) Got KC's new album. It's a nice album to have playing in the background - mellow pop and soft tunes. My favorite tracks are Takipsilim, Breathe You, and Hulog.

Last night, had dinner at the restaurant beside bodhi (daifu?) with D and Ni. Enjoyed a simple meal of Taiwanese food and crushed ice desserts (with fruit, red bean, taro, and peanut toppings).

Sigh. Sunday tomorrow. Weekends just whiz by, don't they?

the day after

The day after the audit was so much more peaceful.

Had breakfast at Bodhi with my mom.

Then went to bpi to open a foreign currency account.

Pretty much whiled the morning away as I got to the office at 11.

I still have to do some documentation post-audit, but I can feel my muscles relaxing already as the actual plant visit is done and over with.

Got to churn those brain gears~

I wonder if milk tea will help. I've been craving :(

Had dinner at Oki Oki today with my family. It's been months since i last had crazy maki! Yummy! :D Nothing out of the ordinary happened during dinner. It was just nice to eat and laugh together. It's been a tough and emotional week for most of us :)

***

Current (and not-so-current) happenings have led me to question whether the s

aying, "Blood runs thicker than water" is true. Sometimes, there's not much difference between "blood" and "water." Heck, sometimes "water" treats you better than "blood" does.

Just an observation. Would probably make for a good psych case study.

***

Happy 5 months to D and me! :)

nanyang milk tea

Weekends pass by too quickly, don't you agree?

My weekend hangover includes craving for Toast Box's Nanyang hot milk tea. It has just the right amount of caffeine and sweetness to satisfy and sooth.

Spent the weekend with friends and family. On Saturday night, I had dinner with my high school friends, to celebrate the April celebrants - Mic and Meloy - and to see Honey! :D It was really funny how our old high school group got reunited that night. I would post before and after pics if only I could find the "before" pics :)

It was great seeing Jovi too :) Hadn't seen her in a long time. Dinner talk included doctors' penmanship, reading prescriptions, travel plans (Cambodia, anyone?). After dinner, capped off the night with green tea yogurt at Red Mango. Ran into Winnie at the cinema area.

The dinner at Felix was just okay for me. I liked the food presentations and how the dishes were named, but I found the place a bit pricey for my taste. It had a nice ambiance though, perfect for get-togethers.

Sunday was Nini's birthday. Uncle gave us a lovely caramel cake from Estrel's, which was just the right amount of sweet. I must admit that I enjoyed the caramel cake despite not being a big fan of caramel.

Spent the afternoon with D. Watched Kick Ass - which goes into my guy flick category but I'm just stereotyping :P The plot was interesting enough although I was a bit bothered by the profanity and the 11-year old girl taking on the role of a gun-blasting Angelina Jolie. What I loved was the music that was used in the film. Perfect choice of songs :) Apart from the "gory" scenes, I enjoyed the movie :)

Had dinner at Abe with family afterwards. Ama Lourdes ordered most of the dishes. I think she was craving dilis rice and pla-pla and gule magalang. Got some pretty nice photos of Angkong and Nini and their matching watches :)

----

There's a plant audit tomorrow. I've been fixing and organizing paperwork last week in preparation for tomorrow. We've got a couple more plant visits scheduled in the next months. Hopefully everything goes well tomorrow. I dislike audit activities but I find that it's good preparation for international accreditation applications and the like. Got to think forward, and it can't be denied that accreditation plays a major factor in international and local business.

laughing your heart out

Have you ever laughed so hard tears starting trickling down the corners of your eyes?

Have you ever laughed so much that your tummy started aching?

Laughing is such a wonderful thing. It eases stress, provides relief, and just makes you feel happy to be alive.

If you haven't laughed till you cried yet, put it on your bucket list!

Tonight was one of those special laugh-your-heart-out moments :D

Been back for a week now, more or less. I'd share about my trip but I find that photographs do a much better job at telling stories about travel so I'll let my FB pics do the talking :)

Girls night out today (+ the boyfriend, of course :P). Ni and Ai were supposed to catch a movie but we got there a minute after the movie started so they decided to just walk around with me. Got some casual sportswear for my dad. It's his birthday [tomorrow] - well, today (as it's past 12 as I write this entry). Then, went clothes shopping. I was looking for a red shirt/dress, but I ended up with a breezy floral skirt and bohemian white top from Promod. D helped me pick out the shirt ;) He understands my fashion sense now hehe.

Had dinner at CPK where we talked about Ai's "boys," and Ni's apparel choices for Howell's graduation. D offered that Ni should go to the graduation ball wearing a Cinderella-inspired gown :D I haven't laughed so much in ages :D Hehe.

Got some really nice pasalubong from D. My favorites would have to be the Uniqlo stuff :D I love ;) And the cheesy mochi I happened to eat today was pretty yummy too. I love pasalubong [souvenirs] from Japan :D

***

Last night, celebrated D's sister's birthday with his family at Aquaknox. Nice restaurant with a live band :) Dinner was yummy too.

***

And so another work week ends tomorrow. Birthday celebration dinner tomorrow. Need to prep camera.