Pens and Lens

Garette ♥ Guidance Counselor ♥ High School Educator ♥ Entertainment Media Analyst BS Psychology graduate ♥ Taking up Just finished taking up education units ♥ Pinoy Harry Potter Hufflepuff Prefect Alumni Officer ♥ Has a love-hate relationship with Twilight Saga ♥ Addicted to True Blood ♥ Adores Mean Girls ♥ Social Networking junkie ♥ Is in love with a guy named John Kenneth ♥ Team[HAX] ♥ can be very delusional ♥ Gamer ♥ walking contradiction ♥ hopeless romantic ♥ Heath Ledger & Francis Magalona fan through and through ♥ Agnostic ♥ Aldubnation ♥ Love is Love

[garette]

I am upset that my mom is not supportive of my wedding plans.

I mean, they pressure me to get it done already and now that it is happening. She does not seem to care.

[garette]

I am struggling to control myself.

I want to seek help but I know people around me would not be able to provide me with the help I needed.

Please let this be over.

[garette]

I am resurrecting this little space to be an outlet of my thoughts.

Since no one hardly ever goes here to check and most of my friends do not know this exists.

I would like to vent here to keep my head clear.

[minka-pinka]

My favorite moment in this drama Scent of a Woman (:

[muhyul]

Me realising I’m now an adult with actual responsibilities

[kdramafeed]

[garette]

Onting tiis pa, gagaling ka din... 🤗🤗🤗😘😘😘 #maximus #maligator https://www.instagram.com/p/BpM0uxSn2jJmNnyhCuLLuqmR3vCKTjtJ1Ns_Co0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j5k795llbuuz

[garette]

Of being clueless, treadmills and losing weight

Almost three weeks ago, my sister video called me and to my surprise, she said that I’m getting rounder and that I need to lose weight or else her pasalubongs won’t fit me.

Well, no shit? I know I’m getting fatter but being told straight to my face actually hurt me.

Then once I came to my senses, I realize that I needed to do something about it.

I took it as a challenge to lose weight or at least be healthier before the year ends. The first week, I tried cutting my rice intake to one cup per day, then week two I stopped drinking sodas and avoiding coffee and this week I tried something I never thought I would do.

I went to the gym.

Yeah sure, it’s free since it’s a perk of my current company. Is two or so weeks enough to help me lose weight? What is my current goal?

Because let’s be honest, I don’t even know what I am doing. I went to the gym, clueless on what to do. I started with warm ups, a couple of minutes planking and then I tried my turn on the treadmill.

First a brisk walk, then it gets faster and holy shit! I am almost sprinting. This isn’t hard for me since I am used to walking and running with my dog but I haven’t been doing that for a while because of the weather and the feeling I got after 30 minutes on it is both tiring and challenging.

How long can I keep this up? I honestly don’t know, but I hope I have enough will power to continue what I started.

So here’s to me, trying to improve my lifestyle! Yay progress!

[garette]

On public speaking, meeting new people and what defines me

Yesterday, I attended a public speaking workshop.

And boy was it a huge mistake...

Well... not really!

I never grew up to be a confident speaker. I always keep my thoughts and agree passively at everything. I have a case of stage fright. Enrolling myself in a workshop like this is a challenge for me just because it is something I rarely do.

I mean sure, I used to teach, but I’ve got ample time to prepare for the lesson and it’s really something that I know. Plus, they’re kids! I’m more comfortable talking in front of kids than full-grown adults who could either take you seriously or as a joke.

I am an introvert and most of my insecurities come from prejudice from other people. I guess that’s why I don’t want to let my voice be heard because I am afraid of criticisms and rejection.

During the course of the day, I we were given activities to challenge our oral skills and techniques on how to overcome stage fright, mental blocks and dead air. 

We also had the chance to watch videos of public speakers. One of the speakers talked about what defines an individual. And that made me wonder. What defines me? At that moment, I don’t know what does define me.

Is it my glasses? My physical appearance? My humor?

Then it hit me. My defining trait is my persistence.

Yeah sure, I procrastinate. But when I set my mind into something and give myself a deadline. I will work non-stop to finish and perfect it. No matter how many challenges and trials there are.

Overall, it was a fun day. I get to meet new people, too!

Though I can’t assure that I won’t buckle and stutter the next time I speak in front of other people, I will try to remember the things I’ve learned from this.

[garette]

Of adopting out these puppies...

My preggo foster dog just gave birth to six puppies. Unfortunately one didn’t make it and now I am left to foster five of them. One of which will has been adopted out by a very caring neighbor.

I do hope I could provide shelter for all of them. But no, I have been coordinating here in our community who will be willing to adopt them. I do hope I could find them permanent homes.

[garette]

10 years ago I was blinded in a shitty relationship.

Now I am so happy to be out of it. 8 years later, I am happy to be in love with the same guy who saw me at my worst and yet never stopped loving me. <3

[garette]

Of becoming a godmother...

I may not be a fairy but I have been a godparent for the fourth time today. I mean sure, I’m fine with it but I hope I could live up to the expectations of being a godparent. I hope I could guide these kids to be productive young individuals.

Here’s to hoping! I am an adult now. :D

[garette]

Of leveling up...

SO surprised me with this. I never knew he has that creativity. Lol

Soooo... I just turned the big 3-0. 

I’ve celebrated my birth month with a lot of people. First are my workmates whom I am happy to be working with.

Next is my SO and mom who are both celebrating the day with me.

correct spelling! YAAAS QUEEN!

I hope I don’t blow it! Or wait, I did! Hehe. :p

[garette]

Of museums, heavy rain and catching up

So it has become our habit to catch up and do something fun whenever time permits. So this month, we’ve decided to visit the newly opened National Museums. 

We’ve managed to visit three, we didn’t get the chance to visit Planetarium since we don’t have much time left as they close by 5:00 pm.

There’s a storm or a typhoon? I can’t remember but all I know is that it’s raining really hard. We wanted to cancel at first but Jenna’s already in Pasay, I’ve just met up with Joan and we’re headed there to meet her so there’s no going back.

We braved the rain and the gusty wind to walk from one museum to the next. I thought they’re gonna be so pissed because we lack sleep, we’re cold and we’re tired from all the walk, but hey, no one complained and everyone enjoyed it. It’s an amazing experience.

Lovelies! <3

Spolarium!

The marvelous collection of Fernando Amorsolo’s sketches

The creepy yet interesting Manunggul jars.

I have lots of photos from this trip but these are just a few that I could filter from over 400 photos I took! Til next time, perhaps?

I know I’ve been here before but I never thought I would enjoy this better the second time around. Maybe because I wasn’t that much interested in history back then? I don’t know, all I know is I had fun learning and braving the monsoon. Lol

[garette]

Of trying oysters, shrimp cocktails and a huge wheel of cheese

Food has always been something I enjoy. Whether I  make it, consume it or share with others. It has always been a passion of mine to learn more about its culture, rich history and of course other varieties of it.  So when I got a chance to be invited at the Manila Hotel, I didn’t think twice about trying out new dishes or food that is new to me. I am not outgoing and I’ve only been to a couple of restaurants. Though I enjoy food, I often enjoy cooking them in the comfort of my own home.

I can’t even begin to describe how amazing the place is!

With the SO. Awkwardly posing. Lels.

Happy kiddos!

And now the food...

Smoked  salmon... Mmmmm 

This shrimp cocktail.

I have never really liked oysters but this... I can never say no to.

This slab of steak and...

This Parmesan! 

I enjoyed everything. The ambiance, the service and of course the food. I didn’t get to try everything because there’s so many options and since it’s intercontinental, I didn’t get to try most Filipino dishes because, you know, I get to taste them more often than the others. Their indian and Halal section is a must try. I didn’t get to take a picture as I was too busy trying out their biryani.

[garette]

Of my DFA experience

Imagine how lucky I am to have booked this MONTHS (yes, MONTHS) before the scheduled appointment just to have my passport renewed. Though my scheduled time is 12:30 in the afternoon, I managed to finish everything by the time it’s past 4:30. The process is painstakingly slow, the amount of staffs needed to accommodate these people are not met. I hate long queues but it’s either this 10-year ID or that PRC renewal that I have zero CPD units to list. I’d choose this one.

[garette]

Post Infinity War. 😊 @pe_gene @simplyjoan11 . . 📸@kenjikun6