I'll be on a self-imposed hiatus.

I've been blogging in spurts the past days. So I've decided to just focus on my main creative outlet: my Charmed Life shop.

Not that I won't be blogging anymore. I just need to shift my focus and re-organize. I need to change a few things on my blog. I just don't think "isabelicious" is the right word or representation anymore (how the hell did I come up with that name anyway?).

I need some "cocooning" for now. Big things are coming in a month and so. I need to be in my full battle gear. =)

I'll be back.

Random thoughts, rainy day.

I was at a coffee shop, killing time before I go up for a doctor’s appointment when I overheard two people talking with much passion from the other table.

“…Then I told my boss in Macau to transfer me and never assign me again in that place or else I might kill the chef." The guy said in Tagalog. "He doesn’t like Pinoys.” He added with conviction.

I don’t listen to other people’s conversations, mind you. It’s just that the way he spoke, overset with so much emotion he might as well be speaking to everyone in the coffee shop.
In fairness to him, I don’t even know the whole of the story but from an observation of someone who’s practically living in two countries right now, he reminded me so much of the conclusion that I came up with sometime ago.

We Pinoys are an emotional lot. It’s a given, yes. It’s a good thing in many aspects such as being close with our families, wading through our issues more effectively, etc. but let me rephrase that: We Pinoys are emotional in the workplace especially overseas, IMHO.

It may be a bit of a contradiction to say we are emotional since we are also a passive-aggressive lot. Saying what we really feel and what we really want may seem a bit confrontational for us. This observation came to me while listening to my sisters’ and mom’s experiences in the US workplace. Although we don’t adhere to the Americans’ direct way of saying things, being frank and straightforward, we take criticisms too personally sometimes too hasty to conclude that its because they (foreigners) don’t like us (Filipinos). There’s not a word “Tampo” for nothing.

I may be making a hasty generalization, saying these things. After all, being emotional more than it being cultural also depends on the person’s character and personality.
It just bothers me that some Filipinos would think they are not liked in the workplace because of their race when, really sometimes (if not oftentimes) its just about the quality of our work per se.

This mentality just proves our misplaced notion of pride. We are sometimes too defensive for our own good. But when you think about it really, it only shows a lack of self-esteem not just a person but also as a Filipino. How we interpret other people’s notion about us should be based on our confidence with the quality of our work rather than our insecurity about our being different.
Only then we can assess our performance through that level of confidence. If you are not confident enough, then maybe you need to amp up your game.

Our auditing of ourselves should mainly (if not solely) depend on our ability and our performance as well as our outlook on life. I wouldn’t say race doesn’t count, because I admit, it would always have a role of influence to what extent depends on the situation. But then, it’s not exclusive to our race; after all it’s the just way of the world.

First and foremost, do what you have to do. Sometimes, it’s just all in a day’s work.
Sometimes, really it’s just all about work.

Yay for the weekend!

It's been a week since I got back but I haven't been doing much at all. The past week was a rest week and I felt the strains of a long vacay just after I got home. I'm still recuperating and sleeping the days away.
Save for meeting up with one my close friends, Maru, I haven't been up and about yet.

This weekend I promise to start my engines. But for now, give me 3 hours to sleep again.

What I'm loving right now: Sparkles for your ears!

I rarely make earrings but when I do, I make sure they are extra special. This batch is composed of Prasiolites, Green Amethysts, Beautiful hand painted beads, Quartz and Crystals set in Gold-filled chains and 14k Gold plated hooks. Love all of them.

My big welcome!

Flowers in every room. =) He did the simple arrangement---Paolo working on flowers meant so much more. Hehe.

This time...I am decided.

Goodbye for now, Chicago.

Leaving home and going home at the same time. I can never ever get used to this.

I realize our family are the very people who drives us to the edge, annoy us to high heavens...but are the same people we will do anything for, give up everything for.

Family is forever.

I'll be home, soon.

4th of July with family

I got a very "tote"-ful gift.

I got the best surprise in the mail today. One of my best friends based in New Jersey sent me a very thoughtful gift. She had always known I love bags and I love pink and she gave me a really cute Tote bag days before leaving my family. Knowing Therese, she must have felt I'm really sad and this was a great way of cheering me up! Thanks, Therese! You are such a great friend.

I love bags like ones made by Cath Kidston and Jonathan Adler, quirky, girly bags that I can use while running errands. I always see the Vera Bradley stores in our malls here and thought it'll be perfect carrying my accessories since its made of fabric.

And what do you know? I got one in the mail! =))


Thanks, Therese! I love it and I love you more!

Vignes Coucher de Soleil

What's more romantic than a sunset in a vineyard?
I was Inspired by the warm and rich colors of clustered grapes bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun.

A luscious necklace and bracelet set with Rich Garnets, flat smooth Black Onyx, Cut and smooth Amethysts, Glowing Crystals and Lovely Quartz.