Day 13 (After Two Days)

Your favorite musician and why.

I remember seeing Only When I Sleep on MTV and wondering how the hell did these people manage to hoard all the beauty genes in the world. Unfortunately, the video looked a little too old-fashioned for me so I used to change channels whenever it came on.

And then my sister bought a copy of their CD, Talk on Corners. I heard Intimacy and No Good For Me, and I was hooked for life.

I love The Corrs for a number of reasons. Andrea's voice is pure and powerful without being too exaggerated. The violin parts are hypnotic. The lyrics cut through the heart. And basically, they're very easy to listen to. Of course, the number one reason why I love these Irish siblings - I met my own band mates/life partners because of them. If it weren't for their music, KAZE would never have existed.

Here's one of my favorite songs from The Corrs. Enjoy!

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I wasn't able to post for the past two days. So much for the challenge. Still, I will complete the thirty days no matter what happens, although I can already see the gaps between my posts when September comes in. Gahd. Kerigofight! 

Day 12 (BF)

A photograph of the town you live in.

We moved here two days after I had my first birthday back in19xx (paki-kaskas nalang yung mga 'x' para makita niyo yung year). I can vaguely remember what our house used to look like - large front lawn, black grilled gates, white walls, red roof. Since then, our house was renovated twice, broken into, attacked by termites, flooded inside (not outside, galing no?), and attacked by cockroaches (something I will never ever forget). Still, I love it here. So many memories to keep and share.

The street where I live. I was bored then so I brought out my tripod and camera to do night shots.

Sometimes I can't help but think about how much BF Homes has changed since we came here. Back then we had to go to Southmall or as far as Megamall to buy stuff. Now, you can just drive along the Aguirre Ave. stretch for anything - food, school supplies, appliances, groceries, even car and motorcycle parts. Restaurants and bars have lined up the main street, repair shops have sprouted everywhere, and mini-malls are being built one after the other. If someone were to build a cinema and an airport in here, we can shut ourselves off, stay here forever and call ourselves a country. The Republic of BF. Naks.

I just hope we don't get too commercialized. It'll really suck if they tore down the Tropical Hotel Ruins and all the other scenic, forest-y places so they can make more houses and buildings.

Day 11 (Makeup? Haller.)

What's in your makeup bag?

So I'm sure you guys understand why I crossed out the word "makeup". I mean, HALLER. Me? Makeup? Nuh-uh.

I remember one of my students peeking inside my bag and said something like "a glimpse into the life of Ms. K!" It actually made me wonder what was inside my bag that would give her a glimpse of my life, so I guess it's great timing that I get to write about this today and see if she's right.

So without further ado, I present to you my very messy bag.

1. House Keys - I don't leave home without it. Sometimes I don't know if I'll get home late (I let my workaholic self take control or I get bouts of spontaneity and end up having dinner with friends) and since they usually lock the main door, I have to have these with me so I can get in without waking up people.

2. Perfume - I have two Bvlgari bottles, which I use sparingly. These were just given to me, but I heard they were a bit expensive.

3. Cellphones - I'm using my dad's old Nokia E71 China phone (Smart) and an LG Cookie (Globe). I use the former for personal stuff, and the latter for work.

4. School supplies - I always have to have a pen and a whiteboard marker for my classes. Sure, we have e-classrooms now but there's something about writing on a glass board that makes me feel like I'm a teacher. LOL. As for the highlighter, it was just there in the bag.

5. iPod and charger - I take this with me everywhere I go so I can drown myself in music when necessary. Bought this from a co-worker last Christmas as a gift to myself.

6. Earplugs - I use this in gigs, when I have to do backup vocals. My hearing kinda sucks, so I can't quite hear my voice coming from the monitor speakers. I need these so I can hear myself and try to sing in key.

7. Brush - I think this is self-explanatory. LOL.

8. Medicine - I just recovered from a bad asthma attack a couple of weeks ago so I have to bring with me my trusty Ventolin inhaler. Having asthma sucks; no matter how deep you try to breathe, it's like there's an elephant sitting on your chest, with a cat trapped in there with all the wheezing going on. I take this with me everywhere I go (like my iPod haha) because I never really know when and where it'll attack.

9. Flashlight and matches - your basic emergency stuff. But to be honest, I really don't know what a box of matches is doing in my bag.

10. Alcohol - I gotta keep my hands clean, right?

Okay, now what do these things say about me? I really don't know, but I guess it does tell people a bit about me when they do get to peek inside my bag, assuming they can see anything through the mess. LOL.



Day 10 (Omnomnom)

A photo of your favorite place to eat.

I love food. I'm sure it's pretty obvious by now with  my food blog and ever-growing waistline, which is why I (with my sleep-deprived and barely functioning brain cells) am having a hard time composing a good enough entry for today's topic. But I'll keep this short. I really need to get some sleep.

My favorite place to eat is our dining room here at home, especially during the weekends when my whole family is complete and we all get to have lunch or dinner together. Here's a picture of a typical weekend lunch.

My mom's Pork Kare-Kare and my dad's Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Yep. Goodbye, diet.

Okay, I hope I get to write something better tomorrow. Right now, I just really need to get some shut eye before I stop functioning altogether.

Day 09 (CGS)

A photo of the item you last purchased.

Aaaaand I have no choice but to skip another day. I am so sorry, Blog Challenge, but I've been really exhausted that I fall asleep almost as soon as my head hits the pillow. First semesters are always toxic for our department, and our schedule can get so intense to the point where I even have to schedule when I'm going to get sick.

One of the activities lined up for the sophomores is the CGS, or Comprehensive Growth Series, which is basically a retreat of some sort. My boss and I went there this afternoon to support our students and get to know them better. And yes, the food. Who can resist CGS food?

The 2nd year AB-Comm and AB-MMA with Ms. Juliet, Sir Aris, and Ms. Felma

It's a good thing I had my cameras with me (I came from a photoshoot in the Elizalde campus) so I got to document their activities - hand painting using colored gawgaw, and house building using newspaper, leaves and twigs. I must stay it was fun watching them get down and dirty (and basically having fun), and I suddenly wondered why CGS wasn't as interesting as this back then. LOL.

This is a photo of one of newest babies, my Canon 600D. I bought this about a month ago, and though it kind of depleted my financial resources, it's sooooo worth it. One of the features that I really love is the bigger, vari-angle LCD screen. I don't need to lie down on the floor or strain my neck to peek into the viewfinder to take different angles of my subject(s).

Next item to purchase - a cellphone. I'm choosing between a Blackberry and an Android phone (HTC?). My  Cookie's phonebook is driving me nuts.

Day 08 (Crazy)

A song to match your mood.

I spent most of the day helping my students record the vocal track for the PR song, and I have to admit it turned out pretty good despite the technical details we experienced earlier. It's always fun to work with talented people who are full of energy and ideas. Makes me feel younger, haha.

Right now I'm waiting (with Tim and Dan of the production team) for them to come back from shooting the music video for the song. I'm not really sure what time they'll be back, so I'm taking the opportunity to write because I'm sure I won't be able to later due to a 9:30pm to 12:00mn band practice at Cherry Studios.

But before I write anything, I have to figure out what my mood is. I'm tired, happy, frustrated, accomplished, amused, and restless. Too many things happening and running through my head. I've been entertaining a lot of "what if" thoughts lately, and I think it's starting to affect my life. This is so not good.

And for some reason, this song started playing in my head.

Day 07 (One Week)

Your plans for today.

It's been a week since I started this blog challenge and I'm having fun so far. Sure, I've missed a couple of days because it was just physically impossible for me to write anything, but at least I make it a point to catch up. That's an improvement, right?

For today, I decided to change the topic from "your dream wedding" to "your plans for today" because it's simpler. And yes, I'm avoiding the question. Like I mentioned in Day 03, relationships are not my priority. I'm focused on my work and the band. I plan on having a family, yes, but not anytime soon so I don't really think about that stuff right now.

On to the challenge.

After a particularly grueling week, I finally get the chance to unwind this weekend starting with the band practice we had last night. We learned a new song for a gig on Wednesday, and I can't wait to hear how it's gonna turn out when the arrangement is finished. And as promised, I had a full 10-hour sleep and woke up around lunch time. Later in the afternoon, Chevy and I will record the guitars for the PR song I mentioned yesterday, and then it's off to the cinemas with my sister and our friends to watch the last full showing of Cinemalaya's Best Picture, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank.

I am so thankful that I get to find the time to spend with people who matter and get my mind off certain things. The idea of doing something fun with my family or my friends at the end of the week (or if this isn't possible, then doing something really productive with my students) is what keeps me going because they make me feel that everything I do is and will be worth it. I know it sounds kinda corny, but it's true.

Next week is going to be another busy week, with the PR deadline coming up, plus the CGS, org meetings, and the usual paperwork. It'll be stressful and toxic, but I know I'm ready. Bring it on, beachez!

Day 06 (We Gotta Be Sneaky, Charlie)

A photo of an animal you'd love to keep as a pet.

Spent the whole day in school today helping the PR Team with the song they're going to use for their campaign. We managed to lay down the chords and finalize the arrangement in about three hours I think. The talent these kids have never ceases to amaze me, and working with them was quite an experience.

When the song was done, I tried helping out with the rest of the team and was instantly reminded of why I was in production. I am so not cut out for research. One of them was so drained from all the thinking, she decided to take a break by letting her other teammate watch Charlie the Unicorn.

Yeah. Bad idea if you're in the brink of having a mental breakdown.

Speaking of unicorns, I've always wanted one of these as a pet. If I remember correctly, unicorns are "mythical" creatures that portray purity and grace, and can heal sickness or something. That could come in handy when I start feeling crappy but I need to work. If I can't get a unicorn, a Pegasus would be nice. I'd bring it to work and bypass the horrible traffic. I'm not sure if they allow mythical creatures in the office, so I gotta be sssssssneaky.

Argh, I can't write anymore. We just finished band practice and I've been playing the guitar since this morning. My fingers are dead.   

Day 05 (No Reason)

A photo of yourself two years ago.

Photo taken by Nimrod Lozano

So I just got home from sessiOnroad's last gig before Hannah goes on "maternity leave". It's already past 3AM, but I'm still high from that awesome, awesome set. I'm supposed to be getting ready for my class tomorrow later, but I thought I'd make a quick post to save face. I don't want to put too huge a gap between my entries so that challenge wouldn't go to waste.

Aaaaaand that was as far as I got before I fell asleep. LOL.

Two years ago, I was fulfilling a dream. I've always wanted to be in a band, make music and play for a crowd. I was lucky enough to have found six other people who shared my passion for music, and after years of challenges and hard work, it finally paid off in the form of a 7-track CD. We called it "No Reason" to celebrate how we got together as a band - wala lang. We were just a group of people who loved music and never really thought we could pull off something like releasing an independent album.

I still get goosebumps every time I watch videos from that night we launched our EP. The feeling you get when you hear people singing along to a song you wrote is indescribable - I wanted to cry, jump for joy, roll on the floor and laugh my ass off, hug Justin Bieber...I was in an all-time high. August 1 will have a special place in my heart forever and ever.

So what's in store for the KAZE, now that two years have passed? Gigs and events with our other band friends, usually up north. It sucks that we don't have a decent bar here in the south. We've also written more songs and recorded demos, which we will work on until the end of the year. Hopefully we get to release another CD by next year, and I can barely contain my excitement.

Day 04 (Bes Pren)

Your favorite photograph of your best friend.

Before any of you ask, I'm going to explain the picture later. Gotta do some kind of intro first.

I don't know why, but proctoring the validating exam always leaves me drained to the core. It didn't help that my head started pounding and I started feeling nauseous an hour into the exam, and there was nobody there to take my place. I managed to get through the three-hour exam in one piece (I'm not sure if I can say the same with the students who took the exam), and I was lucky enough to find one of my students who always had medicine with him.

Anyway.

Last December, my HS girlies and I went on a grand Laguna getaway where we ate, drank, slept, and had the most competitive game of Jenga, Scrabble, and Pinoy Henyo. This photo was taken during our second day while we were checking out the grounds of Casa San Pablo. Add a little bit of Photoshop and voila! Instant movie poster! I love this pic because, well, it's funny as hell. I can so imagine her in that role - responsible and eager house help by day, con artist, drug lord, and murderer at night. Like in those slasher flicks. LOL.

Yes, this is my best friend. No, her name is not Inday (it's close, though).

I've known her since grade school. I was jumping from group to group, trying to find people who had the same interests, goals and ideas, when I met her and her group. I was a huuuuuuge fan of Sailormoon at the time, and it was nice to meet and talk to people who also loved the show. I remember us talking outside the classroom about the latest episode and speculate on what's going to happen next and other stuff. Who would've thought our friendship would grow from anime?

We've been best friends for more than a decade. We don't get to see each other that much anymore because we have to live our own lives, but we make it a point to meet at least a month for dinner or coffee and pick up where we left off. Our friendship has gone through its own ups and downs, and though we did not survive unscathed, at least we've become stronger.

And I have to go back to work now. That one-hour nap became a three-hour power nap, effectively throwing a wrench in my schedule for tonight. :|

Day 03 (Suspension)

Your idea of the perfect first date.

Photo taken from here.

Classes were suspended today, and it was kinda weird because it wasn't really raining hard when they made the announcement. Most of my students asked why when there was no rain, and I told them the guys up north are having a hard time with the weather and that we're lucky we don't get to experience really bad floods here. My prayers go out to those badly affected by the non-stop downpour.

Anyway, on to the challenge.

I have to admit, this is a weird topic for me. I'm not one to go out looking for a romantic relationship just for the sake of having one (unlike some people I know, haha). I'd rather love find me when the time is right. My first plan was to change the topic for Day 03, then I realized that describing my perfect first date couldn't hurt. Plus it's a chance to step out of my comfort zone a bit. So, here it goes.

There are three things I "require" for a first date: good company, good food, and a reliable mode of transportation.

Going out on a date with someone basically means you want to get to know each other, right? You talk about a lot of stuff like school/work, the latest TV series, what movies you like, how Twilight really sucks, and whatever else you can think of. My date should be able to carry a good conversation with me, and not just sit there silently and wait for something to happen. I was told recently about a friend who went on a date with this girl he likes but was silent and brooding the whole time. Uh, no. That just won't do. I can be very talkative when I want to, and my date should be able to keep up and compete with me.

No date is complete without food. The place doesn't have to be really fancy and expensive-looking, as long as they serve really good grub. I'm probably gonna go with tried and tested restaurants instead of trying something new, because I wouldn't want disappointment over food put a damper on things especially when the date is going really well.

Lastly, a car. It may sound a bit materialistic on my part, but I don't really like commuting (I do know how, just so we're clear). I'd rather be stuck in traffic in my car than in a van/bus full of strangers. And I think my date and I can talk more freely that way.

That's it. It actually took me a looooooong time to finish this post, and I'm almost tempted to erase everything and change the topic but I won't. Haha. Here's to hoping tomorrow's topic is easier.

Day 02 (Back to Work)

A photo of something you ate today.

It feels so good to be back in the office after being stuck at home for a week. I missed my desk, my chair, the office couch, lunch with the boss, lunch with co-workers, talking to a random student in the hallway, making my students' lives harder, and laughing with my more insane kiddies (our meetings end up longer than usual because of all the non-sense). This week started out great, and I hope the good vibes will last until Friday.

Today's lunch - Breaded Fish Fillet, two pieces of longganisa, and 1 cup of rice from the cafeteria downstairs. I was supposed to get something else but the "Tartar" sauce got my attention. It's not your usual tartar; the sauce was made of hard-boiled eggs, mayo, onions, and something else I can't quite place, but it tasted so much like what you would put in an egg sandwich. Interesting twist to a fish fillet sauce, but it didn't quite do anything for the overall flavor. The longganisa wasn't that good too, but since I didn't eat breakfast and I had to drink medicine, I ate them all anyway.

I remember back in college when the cafeteria was the most popular place to avoid. I didn't really understand why people didn't like eating the food there until I tried their tortang talong one fateful day. Now I don't eat eggplants but I love tortang talong (yes, I know it's weird) so I was very much dismayed when I took that first bite. It was so oily and bland, not even huge blobs of banana ketchup can fix it. I swore off cafeteria food ever since. I mean, how could they botch something as simple as tortang talong?

On my first year of teaching, they changed concessionaires. The cafeteria looked cleaner and the food looked and smelled edible. They were the ones who introduced the "mutant" fried chicken (as in really big portions of chicken) swimming in gravy, which I ate every single day for one semester until I started sprouting feathers. I also absolutely loved their cassava cake, sopas and sisig. But eventually, the school had to change again because the food wasn't worth the price anymore, and the menu wasn't as diverse as it once was. Bye-bye, nyamy cassava cake and sopas. :(

The new concessionaire, the ones that served my lunch, is from the neighboring foreign university. They offer Culinary Arts there, so I guess it makes sense that they cook food for the entire school. The cafeteria has become their training ground and they made a few interesting changes. The walls are painted with drawings of food and kitchen appliances, music can be heard through small speakers mounted on some of the posts, and I don't have to go to the far side of the cafeteria to buy drinks. Their menu is diverse too - they have sandwiches and pasta now. Unfortunately, it's a tad bit more expensive than the last concessionaire, and though they do have good food sometimes, the rest is somewhat...blah. I'm sure they could do better, but until then, it's fish fillet a la egg sandwich for me.