In a burst of rare courage mixed with extreme idiocy, I decided last week to do something different with my hair. It has been the same for so many years already: Long, wavy, naturally tousled. A bit messy, if you will. But I believe my hair was my security blanket. In a society where super-straight hair is all the rage, my big hair is my badge. I got compliments with my hair mostly on days when I didn’t do much with it.

Then the urge to do something new hit me. I’m now contemplating hard why I didn’t just buy a shirt or maybe shoes to feed this need. I was thinking maybe, as a married woman, I need a change (as if changing my own address and name aren’t enough). So there goes the 7 inches of my crowning glory. Not realizing the aftermath will be painful enough, I had hair treatment that zapped all the natural waves gone. Gone. Gone.

I. Miss. My. Big. “Messy”. Hair. Now I’ve learned albeit the hard way: don’t fix it if it ain’t broken!

I had a wonderful afternoon (until late evening)last Friday with my dearest UPM friends, Therese and Aika.

Therese is one of my college bestfriends whom I've known since grade school. She's currently based in New Jersey and its a treat everytime we see each other. She gets prettier each time. I remember how I used to tease her back in high school because she never gets mad. ever. I love how she grew up to be that same sweet girl but with better sense of who she is not to mention she now does her own make-up better than I do. =P I'm going to miss you again Therese, don't forget our next date after your exams. mwah!

Rocking our world

I have the cutest nephew ever. He's thriving and doing well. I can't wait to kiss those chubby cheeks!!! Looks like he's begging for it. =)

I’ve been doing my charms for quite a while now and I’ve been thankful that it’s been worthwhile. I get so much reward by doing something that I love. When I get bulk orders for resellers and events such as weddings, I feel such fulfillment getting paid for something that love doing and more importantly, something that I created. But I think getting compliments from direct buyers is the most gratifying of all. It may not recompense as much but the joy of seeing someone appreciate my designs and my work is very, very heartwarming.

I recently got an email from an American whose boss went to the Philippines for a business trip and purchased a bracelet from one of my resellers. She was so smitten that she had to get one herself even though shipping actually cost a bit more than the actual item itself. These are the times that really make my day and actually make me even happier than getting a month’s worth order in a week. For reals.

My friends ask me how it all began. My little hobby turned to a budding business had a very organic growth. From making bag charms and simple accessories for my families and friends, I now sometimes get overwhelmed with orders and at times, I still get nervous thinking if I’m compromising my own tastes. I’m slowly attending to the business side of it all because it’s hard to reconcile both commerce and quality. I did invest a lot; there were times before that the capital was more than the actual selling price just so I could deliver better. But more importantly, I think it’s the sense of fulfillment and love for anything we do that make it all worthwhile.

I’m hoping to do this for as long as I can.

I’ve come to a rather dim conclusion that people lose a bit of their “cool” factor (whether really in existence or imagined) once they get married. No matter how happy the union is. I had this epiphany while I was happily whiling away my time this afternoon, marveling at the nice crochet trimmings of our bedspread.

Ugh. I remembered about my plans with Paolo before we got married: Go on trips every month, pretend we don’t know each other in a bar (lame-o), go on weeknight dates. I began recounting my activities the past few days: gardening with my husband, check. Cooking (or at least attempting to), check. Redecorating the house, check. Discovering my own “style” for a bread pudding, a proud check… Somehow, the activities that I was most excited for before are eclipsed by the fact that I just have someone to love me at my “coolest” and at my “dorkiest” (which happens more frequently, these days).

Now, I rather like the evolution of my activities that are in consequence with my civil status. Just recently, I’ve caught myself enjoying the great task of researching the merits of creeping figs on a garden wall. Going out is fun but coming home to your own place is much, much better. Somehow, I imagine what my “cool” 18-year-old self would say to me today...

“I can’t wait”, probably. =)

Quiet Weekends...

Look at my man go. Nothing's better than a guy who can cook. ;)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

To my bestfriend Jana and Pafa Joe! They got married in L.A. at last! YAY to the newlyweds!

My bread pudding turned out quite well. Well, really well considering its my first attempt. Overall, I would say: A-. My “lanyera” presentation in consideration. The sauce was really sinful. Yummy. Next time, I'm going to try nutmeg instead of cinnamon.Maybe some applesauce on top. Perfection, aylavet.

wishing and hoping...

I am waiting for the last 15 minutes. My bread pudding should be perfect. If I cant have bread pudding from old country buffet, I am going to attempt to make one myself...

musings over coffee

I am all about trying new things. I think of all my sisters, I was the only one who changed careers about a gazillion times before really finding that right ONE. This one trait, I believed actually produced a paradox in my nature: when I come across something that fits happily in my life, I find it hard to venture out of my comfort zone.

I remember when I was unmarried, I have these criteria, my sort of principle tape to go by in doing things: 1. it will not kill me. 2. It will not make my parents kill me and/or kill my parents. So I believe it is safe to say, I only have number one to worry about now. Not unless I have to replace the word “parents” with “husband.”

So. I am looking for something new, something to focus my energy on other than managing my parents' business, my husband’s life, blood pressure and fashion choices, my little hobby that rakes me in more hobby moolah, my studies and everything else in between.

Lately, I’m a bit underway with my projects but somehow I’m bored with the Step A to Step B progress. I guess I have always been the type to twirl in between steps. During these semi-hypomanic episodes (that I gallantly self-diagnosed) I am most inspired. I have racing (not racy) thoughts that I have yet to organize and compartmentalize to little segments of do-ability.

**I just have to tackle the hardest part: start the ball rolling.

I'm determined to have a blast this weekend. I'm a lot busier during weekends because that's when I have my inventory and new orders mostly come in during these days. This time, I just want to have fun.

Fight Days call for my Fierce Shoes. and yes, my toes have daisies on them.

I woke up feeling a bit sad today. I miss my Grandpa. It has always been like this for me. Whenever something big happens in my life especially in a bad way, mornings hit me the worst. I guess it’s because you wake up to your reality and know that no, you aren’t dreaming at all. It isn’t a nightmare you can get up from. Then I went outside and it's such a quiet, quiet place. I guess I'm not so used to a quiet house.

*Sigh. Afternoons are better, I guess.

*random-thoughts-in-the-morning-while-the-husband-is-away-and-there's-not-much-to-do-in-the-morning

I’m relativeley new in facebook. Just like with everything else, I find it hard to veer away from my comfort zone but since nobody’s using friendster anymore I might as well start from scratch again. I’m finding it more fun and “informational.” That kind of scares me and that coming from a regular blogger, yours truly. But the thing with blogging, people won’t know much not unless they seek your blog out. Sometimes when I take the quizzes in FB or write something about what I’m feeling or doing, I get a bit uneasy knowing It’ll be posted to some 300 or more contacts, whether they like it or not. Ick. I’m amused though about the things I’m learning, that much I can say. ;)

Is it possible to be homesick, when you are in fact, home? I’ve been feeling that way for quite sometime now. I guess home is where your family is. I miss my whole family so much especially my “imbentor mills/house elf,” my little bro Josh. I miss Downers Grove, if I can fly to Illinois right this moment, I would. I still have to finish something very important and although I have to concentrate all my clout in this coming endeavor, I can’t help but focus on December when I can finally be with everyone.
I’m reaaaally craving for a bread pudding from Country Buffet, waffles from Egg Harbor, Beef tenderloin pasta from Olive Garden and ribs from Famous Daves. I guess I really am homesick.*sigh.

My therapy

Lately, I'm making stuff for my beadbar that's a bit different from my usual. Making things like these pretty little nostalgic pieces is my therapy. That and a lot of laughter.
It's nice being married to a man who makes me laugh my tears away. =)