Quarter Life Crisis (for the nth time)

There are good days but there are also bad days. As much as I wanted to make this blog a collection of happy thoughts, sometimes I just need to let out what I truly feel. I thought I was done with quarter life crisis. But last night, it hit me again. It hit me hard, I tell you.

My life is full of uncertainty. I thought by the time one reaches his late twenties, he has already figured out what he's going to do with his life - pursuing a promising career and building a family. My main goal is pretty simple: to have an impact in our society. But the roads leading to that are the ones that make me confuse. Until now I'm still not sure which one to choose. Either to 1) live and explore and study PhD in a place that I haven't been to or to 2) study medicine and become an inspiring and best doctor I could ever be.

It's hard to pursue both and there are conditions that I've set-up. If ever I become a scientist, I don't want to do research just for the sake of publication. I don't want to spend years and years of research just so I can publish in Nature or other top notch publications. I want to do research that can help people and improve their lives. And if ever I become a doctor, I don't want to treat people just for the sake of having a high income. I want to treat people because I want to help them. I've been in their shoes before, I know what it feels to be sick, and I'm just thankful for my doctors. And I want to do the same to others.

When the time comes that I have finally decided which one to pursue, I have to stand on my own and not rely on my parents for financial support. I don't want to burden them and exhaust all the money they worked all their lives at the expense of fulfilling my dream.

Another goal is, of course, to have a family of my own. I'm not getting any younger. Time is kind of running out. But sad to say I still haven't found that person who will love me and who is deserving of my love. You might say there are lots of fish in the sea but I don't want to settle for less. I want to be with the one God has destined for me. I want someone who is fears and loves God, responsible, hardworking, kind, and who respects me. An added bonus is if he has "good genes" to contribute for our future offsprings.

I'm still hoping that one day I'll be able to pursue my dreams and have a happy family...to face the mirror and smile and tell myself, "You finally did it!"

Chill

Sometimes it's just nice to take a moment to be away from the daily grind of life... to be in a place where you can just sit and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. 

Rosa Clara 2014 Bridal Collection

Hello to these gorgeous, intricately embroidered wedding dresses from Rosa Clara! The ball gown silhouette definitely makes one feel like a princess on her special day. Loving all the dresses but if I have to choose one dress for my wedding, it would be the Maldivas dress. 

Camboya

Maldivas front

Maldivas back

Mallorca

Marabu

On Dreams and Taking Risks

Ah, it's been a long time! But I'm so glad I am once again back here. I've been quite busy with work and I still don't have a fix internet connection in the apartment, thus the lack of posts. Anyway, we're just a few days away from Valentine's day. Though it will only be a normal Friday for me, no date whatsoever, I still feel a bit excited about it. Just a bit. Haha!

On other matters, I have finally decided to take the plunge...to take another shot at my dream.

It took me six years to think whether I would pursue it or not. So much happened in my life within that duration but at the end of the day I still find myself wondering about that dream. Then, I came across this quote, If it's still in your mind, it is worth taking the risk. 

Six years. It probably is worth taking the risk. 

It probably is worth pursuing for.

image source here

3101 Bonding

Two weeks ago, me and my college roommates had our 3101 bonding. 3101 was our room number when we were still staying in the dorm so whenever we meet-up we just refer to it as 3101 bonding. We had the first one back in 2010, the second in 2012, and the third this year,2014. It seems like there's always a two-year gap but we don't really intend to have a pattern.

We usually meet somewhere in Manila but this year we decided to have our bonding in Los Banos, Laguna, where our university is located. We had our lunch at Isdaan. I've been staying in Los Banos for several years now but it's my first time to try Isdaan, a restaurant which serves sea foods and native Filipino dishes. We had sinigang na hipon, inihaw na tilapia, and kare kare. The food was good but I think the price was way high. However, the setting was really nice. I love that they have small huts where people can dine, different statues of Buddha, and a pond where you can also ride a small boat.

Then we headed to our university campus. It's a Saturday so the Freedom Park was full of people playing sports or just having a picnic. Our dormitory is just situated near that park but we realized that we didn't really spend our Saturdays outside the dorm when we were still students. We all wondered why but obviously the answer was we're all busy with our assignments/projects. Talk about being a UP student. ;)

with the Oblation, an iconic symbol of UP, depicting selfless offering of oneself to his country

We had our last stop in a coffee shop called Cafe Antonio. Latte + frappe + pizza + bread is a great way to end the day. It's just nice to be in a place with a relaxing ambiance and of course, with good company.

We also celebrated the birthdays of Ussel, Jonna, and yours truly. We got a small Mernel's chocolate cake, made by the famous homegrown cake house in Los Banos.

the birthday girls =)

It's been almost 10 years since we first met. Whew time really flies! I am definitely thankful for the opportunity of meeting and knowing these amazing people. Hurrah for a decade of friendship!

2008 and 2014

We may have walked through different paths but we keep coming back to that crossroad where our special bond was formed. Almost a decade of friendship and still counting. -U.J. Bravo

Twenty Seven

The start of the year is a new beginning and it's also a celebration of my existence here on earth. Yesterday, 4th of January, I turned twenty seven. There were no parties, birthday cakes, nor balloons but the greetings and well wishes I received from family and friends are already enough. It's just a simple day but it's also a special one for me. Twenty seven. I am no longer a youngster, I am already a full-pledge adult and I'm happy about it. This year is going to be the year of making my dreams happen. Of making my ambitions come to life. It's going to be a long process and will involve lots of decision making along the way. And with that, my birthday wish (yes, who says birthday wishes are only for children?) is for God to give me wisdom and courage.

And lovelife.

Haha! Actually the last one was my mom's wish for me. =)

Welcoming The New Year

Happy New Year everyone!

Au Naturel

Give me BB cream, pressed powder, lip balm, and lip tint and I'm good to go. I'm not really the type of girl who wears all those eye makeup, mascara, blush, lipstick, etc. everyday  but let's face it, makeup is a girl's armor. I do love watching Michelle Phan's makeup tutorials but once in a while it's nice to see something different.