Wedding theme: Watercolor

Sharing some wedding inspiration here. Disclaimer: I am not yet getting married. I haven't met him yet so I guess it will still take a long time before our paths cross but, as of now, it's just nice to look at these pictures and have some idea on what that special day would be like.

wedding gown

bridesmaid dress

invitation

table setting

feather details (preferably faux feathers)

Image source:
1: here, 2: here, 3: here, 4: here, 5: here

PMCP 2015 (Day 4)

For the last day of the conference, I wore this little red number. It's the smallest size but it is still a bit big for me. But...I really like the fabric so I still got it! Haha! The neckline was kind of revealing, thus I got a little help from a black lace tube. And of course, to make things look formal and business ready, I added a black blazer.

dress - Forever 21

blazer - Forever 21

bag - Charles and Keith

shoes - Charles and Keith

watch - Calvin Klein

PMCP 2015 (Day 3): Samal Island

The third day of the conference was spent island hopping in Samal island. I've been to Samal before but this was my first time exploring the different areas of the island. We went to several coves where one can see schools of fish and other marine organisms, corals, and reefs. Unfortunately, we didn't have an underwater camera. But then again, it's the experience that counts.

Excited and nervous at the same time... That's me when I was about to take a dip.

But I get the hang of it and I have to say I really began to enjoy being there, swimming and looking at the rich marine sanctuary.

We also went to the beach. It was noon time and as you can see (in the image below), the water was very, very calm.

The obligatory jump shot with the girls. Hihi! Good thing it only took two shots to capture this.

Posing with some posts. Yes, everyone had a moment with these structures.

The one thing that I really like with this beach is that a few walks away from the waters, you'll see some trees and the ground covered with green carpet.

Before returning to exploring coves, a group shot is definitely a must-have.

It was indeed a day well-spent. Even though I got a bit sunburned, it's nothing compared to all the fun and amazing underwater view that I saw and experienced.

Nature is definitely a lovely piece of creation!

PMCP 2015 (Day 2)

Here's my look for the second day of the conference. Hello to blouse + midi skirt combo! I'd like to refer to this as "conservatively stylish". I super love the pattern of the blouse and what's more? It's vintage! And I only got it for only P185 (~$4.30). Definitely a real bargain! I may have told it before but I was never the one who is skilled looking for items in vintage shops and I easily got stressed just by merely looking at all the racks and racks and endless racks of clothes. But there's this one small shop near my place and they only have few items so it's not overwhelming for me. That's where I got my blouse.

blouse - vintage

skirt - bought in Korea

bag - Charles and Keith

watch - Calvin Klein, gift from mom

shoes - Charles and Keith

Below is my only picture with my poster but I'm really glad I had one taken because I never really expected that my poster will win 1st place (Plant Phytopathology category).

When we're not attending sessions, me and my colleagues obviously loved taking pictures. Haha!

PMCP 2015 (Day 1)

The first week of May was spent attending the Pest Management Council of the Philippines conference (PMCP) in Davao City. Since I am working in the Plant Pathology group, PMCP is the main conference that they attend to every year. This is my first time and it's definitely an amazing experience.

Day 1 - May 5, 2015

with our Project Leader and one of my colleagues

Outside the sessions, I tried to get on honing my photography skills. Hehe. Mirror shots, anyone?

And outfit photos were never to be missed. =) Presenting my "business meets chic" look.

dress - For Me

blazer - Forever 21

bag - Charles and Keith

watch - Calvin Klein, gift from mom

shoes - Charles and Keith

'Cause When You're Sick

Yesterday, I felt like dying. It was one of the worst days of my life. My throat was burning, my fever was up to 38.1 degrees Celsius, my head and muscles and joints were all in pain, cough ad colds were consuming me. I didn't have an ounce of energy. I just lay in my bed the whole day and slept and took Biogesic tablets (paracetamol for fever). In the evening though, I had no choice but to go out and buy some food. Geez that's the art of being alone. You had to do what you got to do even if you're sick because no one else will. I don't even want to bother my friends and ask for some help. I don't want to look like a sickly, pity me, kind of person. This morning, I went to the doctor and got some meds - antibiotics, something for colds, and Biogesic. I still feel sick but it's a bit better compared to my situation yesterday. I just hope that this upper respiratory tract infection and allergic rhinitis would be over soon and that I'll be able to get back to normal.

Burst of Random Thoughts

It's a few minutes til midnight but here I am. Here I am again. I seriously miss writing something deep, as if I'm a writer but I'm afraid I am not. This is just me spilling all the thoughts in my mind right now. This is gonna be so random and spontaneous and brutally honest. Uhm, so where do we start?

These days I have to admit that I am not really happy with my life. I feel like I am stuck here, not moving where I need to go, not moving up, not moving anywhere, just stuck. I used to say I need an adventure. But never mind that adventure, I just need something new. I feel bored and simply not moving forward with my life. I suddenly remember a line in a movie, "Aren't we supposed to be great by now?" After twenty eight years of existence, I'm proud to say I have accomplished some things but I'm not there yet. Greatness? What greatness? I think I would achieve that if I have already pursued my lifelong dream... Doing what I love while having an impact in this world. That would be greatness for me. But I am still here. Still far. But I do hope that I'd get there soon.

Now let's talk about love or rather let me talk about love. But I haven't experienced being in a romantic relationship yet. I used to think that someday my prince will come. But what if that day never comes? What if our souls never meet? One thing's for sure, I don't want to settle for less. I've seen people live life being with someone, being married to that someone but never really being in love. And I don't want that. I don't want to have someone just for the sake of a marriage contract. I don't even want to marry someone just because the clock is ticking and I'm getting old and he is getting old. I want to experience that real, genuine love. The love that will do everything to make you happy. The love that you can feel even by just looking at each others eyes. The love that will never get tired and that will last a lifetime, even beyond. Now, I do sound like a hopeless romantic. But I really want a genuine love, deeper than physical affection. A love which can be felt in the deepest part of your heart and soul.

From greatness to love. Then, what's next? Okay, so as random as it gets, here are some of the things I've been wanting to do.

• read a novel
• talk to a stranger (but not in a creepy way, okay?)
• make a new friend
• try a new hobby
• be honest with myself
• cry if I feel like crying
• laugh until tears fall from my eyes
• be so mad I wouldn't even care what other people might think of me
• disconnect myself from others that are not bringing joy to my life
• meet my soulmate
• fall in love
• take that one bold step
• make my dreams come true
• live in a place where not one single soul knows me
• be whoever I want to be
• travel the world
• deactivate my facebook 
• save some money
• invest in something worth investing
• grow my investments
• drive my own car
• drink a beer or wine
• learn to cook (uhm no thanks!)
• be friends with a fellow blogger
• have a pet dog

Wish me luck!

3101: A Decade of Friendship

It's hard to find real friends in this world but when you do, the bond that is formed is something that will, definitely, last for years...or even a lifetime. 

And I'm just so thankful I found them! We were roommates in college. We met in 2005 and I'm glad that even though we live in different places now and pursued different career paths, we still make it a point to meet even if it's just once or twice a year.

Last April 18, we had our catching up in Cafe Juanita located in Capitol Drive, Pasig City. I really felt like a grown up because we're not meeting in the mall or in Los Banos anymore, but we're meeting in a famous restaurant in the metro. Cafe Juanita, based on what I've read, has some good reviews going on. So, my curiosity got the best of me and we just have to try it!

It's a restaurant filled with quirky things. When you get inside, there's just so much stuff you felt you're in different era or something.  I've read that those were the things/souvenirs got by the owner from his travels. One reviewer, Christine Aranilla, perfectly describes it this way, "Each and every spot is exploding with something interesting to admire at, eclectic and eccentric; yet, boldly Bohemian, is able to fuse with one another to create a romantic, vibrant ambience! But it's not merely the awesome design and interior! This place serves "ohhh-ssssoooo-delish" food!" via zomato

And the food is definitely so, so good! We ordered Sinigang (Salmon), Bagnet, and Garlic and Pepper Squid. Those three dishes really taste good but my favorite would be the sinigang! I just love the sour taste of the soup and the vegetables (sorry this girl is not a fan of fish though).

(counter clockwise direction: rice, sinigang, bagnet, garlic and pepper squid)

And I have to add that the waiters are so polite. They even volunteered in taking our picture. And being always the last to finish food (yes my friends know that I'm more of a talker and less of an eater), a waiter thought that we're already done, he asked us if he could get the plates, etc. but I told him I'm not done yet, I requested to just let the plates (of my friends) stand there because of a superstitious belief, and I'm glad that he obliged.

So yeah, good place, good food, good friends, what more can you ask for?

To the other roommate, who is currently on the other side of the globe, we miss you!

homemade ice cream at Mad Mark's

We may be all grown ups now but there's still a "kid at heart" in us. We may be eating in a fancy restaurant but at the end of the day, we still want to have an ice cream! Haha! =)

Cheers to a decade of friendship girls!

For our 2014 bonding, see post here.

*all pics are from my cam except for the second to the last image which is from Shayne

P.S. For further information about Cafe Juanita, you can check their Facebook page.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated to Cafe Juanita.