Baby Steps in Pursuing One's Dreams

The first quarter of 2015 is nearing its end. Time really flies! I'm just so thankful for all the good things that happened. Now, for the second quarter, my goal is take baby steps in making my dreams come true by reviewing for two of the most important (and expensive) exams that I would be taking thus far, GRE and TOEFL. I tried to do this in the past but now is the time to be serious and more focused. Have to exercise my brain cells again!

I'm not sure if I can make it (to be accepted in my dream school and dream program) but I have to take this first step because, as the song goes, but if you never try you'll never know... So yeah! Cheers to following and chasing our dreams!

Science Congress 2015

I never expected that I would be chosen as one of the judges at the Science Congress held last March 24, 2015, organized by my former high school. I am just grateful I was able to share my knowledge and, hopefully, inspire the students to pursue a career in the field of science.

with my former and the best teacher in Biology, Research, and Parasitology (in yellow shirt)

After 11 years, it was nice to be back again in the campus. It was so different when I was still a student and I can say the current students are so lucky they never experienced what we had to go through. We were one of the pioneer batches and the school was just at its beginning stages. When I was in third year, I remember on the first day of classes, we had to wake up at 3 am to fetch some water from the pump outside because there's no running water in the faucet. We also attended classes in makeshift classrooms made of of bamboos, plywood, and canvass sheet because the buildings were still under construction. We sprinkled water in the area where we sit in our classrooms because the flooring was made up of soil and during dry season, dry soil equates to a lot of dust. Those were the days!

former students with the Director and former teacher

Now, whenever I think of them, it really makes me proud because we survived all those things. It definitely made us stronger and more resilient individuals! The environment may not be perfect but everyone did their part to ensure that the mission and vision of the school was met.

Saturday Shopping: Perfume, Eye Cream, & Clothes

After such a long time, I was able to go shopping again at Mall of Asia (MOA) yesterday. My plan was to buy only a perfume (because my favorite, Incanto Charms, which I bought last October was already in its last drop) and an eye cream (which I've planning to have for such a long time due to my crow's feet).  Got them both and I even scored a discount on the perfume!

Incanto Charms by Salvatore Ferragamo

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus

But then again, I couldn't help but stroll around clothing stores. A girl's gotta do what she gotta do then. Haha! Went to Forever 21 and got these two, a dress and a blouse in the loveliest shade of red and blue. ♥

Forever 21

I never had a red dress so this is going to be my first official little red dress. Though it's really not that little because it's a bit bigger on me. It's already in the size S and the staff told me they don't have an XS. I thought this dress is perfect for ladies with curves but being the petite and "uncurvy" girl that I am, I realized, Oh, scrap that! I love it and I'm gonna buy it! The bandwagon NO TO STEREOTYPING is on!

Forever 21

I also got a long sleeve top from Mango. You know how I was craving to have a dress from Mango (from my previous post)? Well, I think this airy top would do for the moment. The blue and yellow stripes remind me of summer.

Mango

I also got a pair of sunglasses from the Department Store and a laced brassiere for the deep neckline of the red dress. Now, the usual thing I ask to myself, "Where do I wear the dress?" Geez, the first thing that really comes to mind is "On the first date". But when will that happen? Haha! Oh well, hopefully, soon. Or probably on a wedding or on a conference... Whatever! =)

Mango Spring Summer 2015

Sharing some Mango love over here! Mango has presented its Easy-going Spring 2015 and I have to say I am so in love with their dresses! Simple and sophisticated to printed and playful...you pick your choice!

images are from Mango.com


P.S. I wish I could own even one of them.

Madewell Spring Summer 2015

Dreaming of some easy breezy outfits perfect for the warmer days ahead and Madewell Spring Summer 2015 just got all of that - comfy and chic from head to toe!

images are from sidewalkhustle.com

Friendzone

I've never been in a relationship. I've never fallen in love. So I don't really know what it's like. But recently, I've been thinking about him, been wanting to see him, and been longing to be with him. He's a friend by the way. There's no romantic thing going on between us. But I fear that I'm developing some feelings for him already. Who wouldn't fall into someone who's kind and responsible and has values. He's probably one of the kindest persons I've known.

With all the stress that I encountered these past few weeks (theft incident and finding a new apartment), I am thankful that he was there helping me transfer all my stuff to my new place. At first I really didn't intend to ask him because I was kind of shy but due to some unexpected events, my lab mates called him and asked if he can help me. Sunday came, he arrived at my old apartment in the afternoon. Him, me, and my two housemates put all my boxes in his car. One of the moments I can never forget was when he carried my air conditioning unit up on his shoulders. It was heavy and I never expected he'd carry it like a kargador. He's one fine guy so I really couldn't imagine him doing things like that. We were able to transfer all my things (even my bed) in just a short period of time and everything went out smoothly. Then, together with a friend, we had dinner and went to a coffee shop after. It was filled with chit chats and I really treasure those moments because I get to discover a lot of things about him.

Just the other day, he helped me transfer a set of table and chairs in my apartment. After work, we met in Handyman to pick up the set. The chairs were assembled but the table wasn't because it might not fit in the car. We called our friend to help us. We had dinner first. It was like two hours of conversation. We, then, went to my apartment. Me and my friend carried the chairs and he carried the table. Only in the apartment, while screwing and assembling, had I realized that the table was heavy. And he was the one carrying it from the parking to the stairs up to the second floor. Had I known it was that heavy, I would have asked the guard to help him. We had to make sure that the stand of the table is placed at the proper corners but I had no ruler so he used a paper to make some measurements instead. And it surprised me again! I had no clue he knows some carpentry stuff. Haha! After assembling the table, we sat on the chairs and had some conversations again. We were talking about the location of his apartment and he drew a map. Guess what? I was amazed at how good he is in drawing a map. He's definitely way better than I am!

Okay, so I was over the moon after those things. But just to be clear, whenever I am with him, I feel comfortable. I'm just myself, no pretensions at all. I don't have to be ladylike or anything. Probably because we're friends, being with him is just light and easy and fun. Only after those moments do I feel kilig, like a high schooler who has been with her crush. Haha! Hashtag late bloomer!

Becoming friends before falling in love is my ideal relationship. In that way, you get to really know each other, there's no best foot forward kind of thing. I hate it when someone pretends that he's like this or like that just to please the other and then you'll know his true color when you're already in a relationship or when you're already married. When you're friends first, you get to know the other person really well -- up close and personal. 

But the problem is that, I can't confess my feelings for him because he's my friend. I don't want things to get awkward between us. And besides, he's not showing any hints so maybe he just sees me as a friend. Oh well, so this is what it feels to be in the... (refer to the picture below)

But then again, I am still hopeful that someday, somehow, my prince will come.

I guess I'm starting to like him more and more. ♥