Outdoorsy

It has been a month after Christmas yet the city is still enjoying the "holiday air". The wind is still cool (it can even feel ice cold in early morning) and intermittent rains make up most of Davaoneos days. In a city which usually has a balmy climate, this change in atmospheric condition is one of the best reasons to dress up. Since Mr. Sunshine has been hiding for the past couple of days, I found myself donning my favorite fashion staples for a chill weather such as this.

1. Hoodies


I am a jeans and shirt person which is exactly the reason why my number one fashion staple is hoodies. They are very casual and are usually the most common choice among the relatively young people. Men and women alike are so into them these days as they enjoy the wide variety of colors and prints that these hoodies offer. Most of these are made from cotton or polyester thus giving both the warmth and comfort that this cool climate requires. They also give protection against drizzle which makes it most convenient.

2. Jackets


They come in various cuts and sizes and people can chose any design that best fits their body type. Jackets are very versatile as I can pair with them almost everything. I can wear them with jeans, slacks, dresses or even skirts for as long as I get to pick one that blends well with my entire outfit. To make this fashion piece gel with my ensemble, the material that they are made of is probably the biggest consideration.

3. Blazers





Being an office lady, the company I am working with requires me to be in formal attire. To match my office get-up during cold days, blazers are my best friend as they keep up with the formal theme. I like them because they are very classy and structured which displays just how elegant they can make an office wear look.

News has it that this kind of weather is going to last until mid February. Until then, I would be oh so happy to be wearing my favorite fashion treats for the shivering climate.

The cool air of the ITCZ is covering the entire city. It was a Saturday evening yet the gloomy and rainy weather is hindering a night out. On a case such as this, a cold night’s best friend is warm and comfortable bedding and a good movie to boot.

There were a few other movies available in the disc but for that night, I chose to go musical and watch a film I have heard so much about. It was shown a few months back. However, I was not able to see it in the big screen so for that evening I satisfied myself with a motion picture that stars Merryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan … Mama Mia.

Mama Mia tells of a story of a girl who knows nothing of her father as her mother never talks about him. On her impending wedding, she desperately looks for her father for him to attend the occasion and walk her down the aisle. Thus, with the help of the diary her mom kept during the year she was conceived, she found out that her mom had affaire d'amour with three different men and that any of them could be her dad. So, she invites all three men not expecting all of them to come to the island where she grew up for the event. Nevertheless, all three did come and the entire circus begins.

The entire movie was set in a beautiful island with lush green and blue setting. There were trees with rich green color and a deep blue sea. The scenery is truly an eye candy, which makes the film really interesting to watch. The environment depicts of a simple living where people seem to be satisfied with their lives revolving around the place. Overall, it was the location that makes the movie distinct.

It also offers Abba songs from start to finish. Growing up with those melodies make the film something I could really relate to. In fact, I was even singing along when familiar tunes are being played. Perfect!

It was also the very first movie where I saw Ms. Streep singing and shaking her booty to the groove. It was also refreshing to see Mr. Brosnan in a different light apart from the macho persona he often flashes on screen. In Mama Mia, he is this romantic lover who has waited for 21 years to marry his ladylove. Sweet!

Above all these, the movie tries to convey that true love can wait. It is something that does not try to imprison the people involved in the relationship. It communicates that couples need not rush into a marriage because it will come at the most perfect time.

If you are out to have a whip of romance and musicality, you may want to consider watching Mama Mia. The raves I have heard were true. The movie has not failed me and for sure, it would not fail you too.

I feel so refreshed after having a twelve-day holiday break. It was much needed. I felt that having that break was the best Christmas gift I ever had.

By mid-December last year, I felt so burned out. I got admitted in the hospital, struggled with my preliminary exams and stressed over deadlines at work. With so much to attend to, I was already having difficulty breathing. Stress took its toll on me.

When the break was finally confirmed, I was just so elated to do whatever I want to with such a huge length of time.

I was really so happy to be spending most of my time during the vacation with the people who matters most to me. Thus, a big chunk of my time went to my family as well as to Weng and his family. I got to spend time with Papa, Mama, Tatay, Nanay and CJ at home …doing basically nothing. We were just there talking about all sorts of things. There were also times when we would just watch DVDs; of course the choice of which movie to watch is always CJ’s prerogative. I also had a quality bonding time with my brother CJ as we went jogging or playing badminton almost everyday of the break. There were also days Weng and I would go to his parents’ place to join them, his brothers and their families in celebrating the season. Being with them could be like a having a rumble with kids running and shouting here and there while the adults were unleashing their singing prowess in the videoke. It is a wonder how that big mess could turn into a delightful treat.

My friends also got their share of my time. After not seeing them for months, I was able to reconnect with my long time friends Bergette,Jen, Grace and Remo. We were like kids again. We had our photos taken, ate at one of the metro’s better restaurants, checked out the sparkling decors of Mana de Davao and drank coffee at my favorite café. My best friend Cheche and I also got our girl bonding. It was a way of strengthening our almost 22 year old friendship. We may not talk that often anymore yet that does not change what and who we are
to each other.

Weng and I also allotted time for shopping. He and I may not have that much money to spend yet we made sure that we spare some to buy things for our families simply to show we remember them and that we care. We also saved to buy stuff for the both of us. After working so hard for the entire year, we deserve to reward ourselves.

Finally, mall rats as we are, we often went malling. Going to the mall gives me a sense of relief. The mall to me is a like a different world where I can escape to. There is just something about window shopping, playing games at the arcade, watching movies or eating at my favorite fast food chains. It is a feeling that is totally unexplainable.

The break may be over. I am back to my reality. The long vacation we had may never happen again yet I am so grateful to have had that opportunity.

Its been a while since my last post. I had to admit that because I had my hands full of so much to do that I was forced to sacrifice one of my most favorite things in the world ... blogging. Since I have been a way for quite a long time, I owe this update.

For the past year, my life took great turns.

I finally enrolled in law school, which I have been wanting to do since I was in grade 5 or so. Indeed, it was a dream come true. Initially, I got caught up with the hustle and bustle of the College of Law yet I finally managed to handle it. I could vividly remember my first day in class. I was sitting in the second row trying to understand the stuff my professors were saying but nothing seems to sink in! To top the provisions of the law they were talking about, they were even speaking Latin Maxims to give emphasis to important provisions. I thought I was going to give up on my third week as there were a lot of people dropping out of the class already but my urge to become a lawyer was that strong thus I chose to stay. After braving one school and a semester, I am still struggling but soon enough I hope to write how good it feels to be called attorney.

In October of 2007, my Lolo Liling died after almost two months of being confined in the hospital. He was 92 years old. It was one of the most heart breaking experiences I have ever had. We were so close that losing him was like losing a part of my self. I could not explain the grief that haunted me that time. It was a feeling that was paralyzing. I know he had to go but I just wish he did not leave that soon. I was at that point where I was trying to give him the pride and honor any grandfather would have wanted from his grandchild yet he did not live long enough to see me conquer greater feats. To this day, I still nurse that feeling of longingness for my Lolo Liling. True, there are still a lot of times when I cry simply because I miss. However, the thought that he has moved on to a better place where he feels no pain gives me a sense of comfort. He may have left but his memory lives and it will forever be cherished.