Internal Sunset of the Restless Mind @peepaubau-blog - Tumblr Blog

Here I go, yo

I left but I was never gone. I went home but I never came back.

I’d easily share that Facebook Year Review but I thought my 2014 was better than that. So, here’s a quick attempt at looking back (while everyone is still at it).

You see, I have been away a lot in 2014. For example, in January, which only had four weekends, I visited two countries and three local destinations; I sang along to foreign acts in an international music festival and I street partied with fun people in an extremely fun Pinoy fiesta; I basked in the sun in two pristine beaches, trekked a local mountain that offered a picturesque view, and spelunked a dark cave. And that was just my January. I’d tell you about all my (mis)adventures but I didn’t want this post to be lengthier as it is. So, I’ll just say that, all in all, I have been to several places I’ve never visited before, and I’ve finally done things that I’ve been meaning to do for the longest time.

If I were to identify the most memorable out of all the places I’ve seen and the most rewarding among all the things I’ve done, it would be when I took my siblings - brotherbau and sisterbau - to Boracay (#Bauracay, I mean) last April. Growing up with little extra money for luxurious and leisurely activities, we have learned to appreciate all the blessings - petty or grand - that we receive. Family getaways, while very limited when we were younger, were always a happy treat. And admittedly, we haven’t been spending time together as much as we probably should. Brotherbau is a nurse in Laguna, my sister is a student in Diliman, and I work at The Fort. So, for giving us a happy treat and for allowing us to spend time together and gain new experiences, that #Bauracay trip meant a lot to us in so many ways.

Now, if I were to pick one adventure that provided me the most invaluable lesson this year, it would have to be my six-day solo trip to North Luzon that covered Vigan, La Union, Baguio, and Zambales. It’s where I allowed myself to completely open up to a total stranger. I told her all about my troubles and woes, and basically just shared my momentary life with her, and in return, she shared age-appropriate wisdom sans the judgment. While that could easily be a dumb move (know how our parents taught us not to talk to strangers?), it somehow showed me that I’m still capable of trust, which I’ve always thought I’ve already lost.

Going away alone presented some lessons as well. It made me look deeper into myself and allowed me to get to know me better. I know I’m not the best person here and I know I’m not exactly who I want me to be but at least I know that. This may be pushing it too much but I’ve become more self-aware, to say the least. I’ve learned to recognize my flaws and there’s a lot of them. I’ve even come so close to thinking that I’m a horrible person. But at least I know, and I’ve already started doing things to change that. I’m working on it.

And that’s what I like the most about traveling - it changes me. Every time I’d leave, a part of me would not come with. Every time I’d go home, a part of me wouldn’t .

I’ve been away a lot in 2014 and it changed me.

This is probably the only good takeaway from a rush-hour commute in Manila.

#manila

So, I just signed up for a free HIV testing by Love Yourself Manila. I remember signing up before (twice, actually) but I chickened out. I’m not entirely sure why but a good guess would be that I knew my actions - sexual dealings to be exact - weren’t very wise, and the fear of really knowing had consequently made me decide against wanting to find out my status.

I promised that there’s no turning back this time. This is me loving myself, I guess.

#hiv #love yourself

*me to cheeseburger and fries*

#taylor swift #Blank Space #Funny #diet #food #music

Tonight, I satisfied my month-long ramen craving without breaking the bank. 70 pesos got me a spunky bowl of miso ramen from Erra's Ramen in Malate. It's actually comparable to or even better than the more expensive ones. Best value for money, if you ask me.

Online Shopping Tips

A part of me is an online shopper. In fact, in retrospect, eight out of my last ten clothing purchases were bought online – two trousers, four button-downs, one leather jacket and a pair of boat shoes.

Online shopping makes going to the nearest mall or visiting my favourite retail shop (that’s just about a ten-minute drive away) seems like it is too much of a task. Why would I bother stepping out of the comfort of my own apartment and take a little bit of time to travel just to spend money when businessmen and marketers have already made it possible to do it at home?

While I think malls and physical retail shops will always be there and won’t ever be obsolete, online shopping is still a welcome innovation just as everything and anything that makes our lives easier and our day-to-day activities more convenient and more enjoyable.

Allow me to share with you some of the personal guidelines I follow whenever I shop online.

1. Just like when you’re shopping for grocery at a local supermarket, you also need to have a list for when you’re shopping online

List down everything that you need to buy. On a piece of paper, on your phone’s memo, or anywhere else that is convenient for you.

Aside from helping you not to forget anything that you must purchase, this list can also be your own strict online shopping police to remind you to veer away from all the products that may be interesting and compelling but aren’t really necessary. Remember that everything that you need (and probably also everything that you DO NOT need) is on the cyber space, and it’s easy to lose control any time.

2. Always have an idea of the original retail prices of the items you’re planning to buy.

This will help every online shopper to decide if buying the product at the price given by the website is a good decision. Some websites sell products at a higher price. While you may consider it as the convenience fee, some prices can be unreasonable. So, having an idea of how a certain product originally costs can be really helpful.

3. Look for price markdown or discount coupons

Discount coupons can help you make a good deal to be even better. Let’s look at sears coupons for example.

Sears discount coupons can offer free shipping, discount on appliance purchases, kids clothing and accessories, fitness and sports essentials, a discount on fancy jewelries, and many other good deals.

4. Be a careful online shopper and only buy from your trusted websites

It’s actually just commonsense that every online shopper should only shop at websites that they trust or have proven good track records for the sole reason that once you’ve been duped, it’s definitely impossible to get your money back.

If you have a hunch that the site may not be safe, you’re probably right. Small details such as wrong spellings and requests for excessive personal details can be considered warning signs.

5. Always use sites that have good return and refund policies.

Some online purchases may turn out to be a little bit different in real life than on the web. A shirt that doesn’t fit. A trouser that’s missing a button. A pair of shoes one size too big for you. These things happen, therefore, efficient return/refund policies should be a major consideration when shopping online. Think about it as your second chance at getting things right.

These are some of my personal guidelines. Feel free to holler if there’s any online shopping tips that you would like to share. :)

Look Good For Less

I’m a public relations practitioner. In this industry, it’s inevitable to meet different kinds of people in varied circumstances on a day-to-day basis. Today, I could be going to the hippest, newest and coolest bars in town with other twenty-somethings to grab a couple of drinks. Tomorrow, I could be presenting a PR plan to managers, VPs and CEOs of multinational companies, and I could also be sitting next to a reporter, editor or another top blogger for dinner at a Japanese restaurant.

If there’s one conscious effort I make before I step out of my apartment to go to work, it is all about making sure that I look presentable by wearing clothes, shoes and accessories appropriate for the day’s business. While dressing up is understandably mandatory, a 24-year-old young professional who’s just relatively starting in the world of the grownups, most of the time, finds it hard to keep up with this corporate must mainly because of two reasons –money and time.

Surely, my bank account doesn’t have endless possibilities. My time for leisurely activities is also just as limited, if there’s luckily any extra time at all. With my not so cooperative resources, I definitely could use all the help that I could get when it comes to updating my wardrobe.

Luckily, I’ve been recently made aware of the Nordstrom coupons.

I have always been on the lookout for more convenient and cheaper ways to shop. Whenever I hear about a price markdown sale at a nearby mall or on my favourite shopping website, I almost always instantaneously gravitate towards it. I personally think that discount coupons that I can use while I shop comfortably sitting on my couch or lying on my bed are heaven-sent!

The Nordstrom coupons are unlike any other discount coupons. It makes top brands such as Birkenstock, Cole Haan, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and many other top fashion brands more affordable, therefore, attainable by a young professional with a limited and tight budget like me. Allow me to lift a one-liner from the Nordstrom website that I think describes me and my shopping needs a little bit perfectly: “Shopping at Nordstrom, one can find everything they need to dress a man for literally any occasion - whether it’s a business meeting, a vacation, an important presentation and everything else one can imagine.”

The Nordstrom coupons, which can be accessed from here (http://www.photius.com/nordstrom-promo-code/), allow Nordstrom online shoppers to save a lot of money on their purchases at the site. These codes can offer up to 50% off on Burberry, about 60% off on Tory Burch, 55% off on Nike, and many more good deals with other brands. They can also be used to get free shipping, other special offers, freebies and more exciting stuff.

Whenever I shop, I look for the best deals without compromising the quality of my purchase. I’m all for savings and everything else that makes shopping more affordable and attainable to me. When it comes to shopping, I’m also all for convenience and everything else that makes it easier and enjoyable. As much as possible, I would like to be a practical shopper, and the Nordstrom coupons allow me to be just that.

#nordstrom #coupons

Noche Buena, (literally "Good Night"), is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas eve. In Spain, Cuba, Latin America, and the Philippines, the evening consists of a traditional dinner with family.

In the Philippines, this usually comes at midnight after the family has attended the late evening Christmas Eve Mass or Misa de Gallo. Some of the more conventional dishes served for the main course are any of the following: lechon, pansit, spaghetti, fruit salad, fried chicken, ham, queso de bola, arroz caldo, lumpia, rice, and adobo. Desserts include ube halaya, bibingka, leche flan, bibingka, different rice and flour-based cakes, ice cream, pastries and fruits, while drinks include tsokolate, coffee, soda, wine, beer, and different kinds of fruit juices.

Merry Christmas, everyone! :)

#LOL #Merry Christmas #Noche Buena #wikisourcing #pinoy #pasko

#LOL

MRT Chronicles

For almost two weeks now, I’ve been regularly riding the MRT to go to work. While I recognize that it’s not the most comfortable, I still take it because it’s the fastest and most practical option. Yes, queuing for MRT tickets could take a little time but that’s nothing compared to the hours spent in EDSA traffic when riding any city bus. At any given day, I’d rather get to work on time than sit in an overcrowded, air-conditioned bus for hours or spend at least 350 pesos on cab fare.

Please, don’t get me wrong. If I had all the money in the world, I’d buy my own car and probably hire my own driver, so I wouldn’t have to take public transportation anymore. It’s always such a pain in the ass anyway but not a lot of people, including me, have the luxury of choice in that regard.

Sometimes we just have to set a different outlook and shut out all the negatives to see all the amusing, the funny, and the entertaining stuff in every situation. Yes, riding the MRT, believe it or not, could be entertaining, and it’s definitely funny and amusing… sometimes.

Here’s five of the most memorable experiences I’ve encountered in the MRT.

1. That boner of a corporate dude pressed against my right hip.

Morning rush hours could mean a lot of inappropriate grinding, body slams, and man hugs. (You just have to choose the right people you’d stand next to for you to enjoy it.)

There’s this one time when I rode the MRT from Cubao. I was standing beside a corporate dude clad in long-sleeved polo and slacks. His torso was pressed against my right arm. His face, well, he was practically a few inches away from kissing my right cheek.

To lessen the awkwardness, I tried shifting a little to my left but since there wasn’t a lot of space to accommodate me, his body still ended up pressed against mine. At some point, I felt something strange touching (well, ‘poking’ would be the more accurate verb) my hip. That dude must have been really so fertile that morning that shortly after the train left Cubao, he got hard. His hard member was not just hitting my right hip; it was pressed against me for quite some time. It’s the kind of hard that could be pleasing if it happened at the right place and at the right time, if you know what I mean. I tried changing my position to avoid his dick, (believe me, I really tried) but since the MRT was too crowded, it was almost impossible to move. We stayed in that position until several people got off (pun intended) at the Shaw Boulevard station.

(Please know that it wasn’t my fault that he got hard. Or maybe it was.)

2. Two guys flirting (and touching each other) in front of me.

Well, not literally in front of me but I could totally see them. And hear them. They were just two total strangers who happened to be standing so close next to each other. They liked each other. Until, discreetly, they were feeling (as in really feeling) each other.

I heard one of them ask the other at one point, “Saan ka bababa? Gusto mo sa Shaw. (Where are you getting off? Wanna go down in Shaw?)”

So, there! They got off together at the Shaw Blvd. station. Whatever happened next I wouldn’t exactly know but a good guess would be they had a happy ending.

3. Urban Cinderello

This one is really unfortunate and funny. A guy emerged from a bunch of people who were pushing, elbowing, and man-handling each other - some to get in, others to get out of the train. His left feet had a black Vans slip-on (I remember) while his right foot only had a white sock.

He helplessly and desperately searched for the other shoe in the see of commuters’ feet of other, by the train tracks, on the passenger platform, and everywhere else, but to no avail.

He eventually ended up doing a Mentos or a Jose Rizal. He decided to just also leave the other shoe in the station. Then, he just shrugged the whole thing off and walked away… without shoes.

4. That girl who’s too sexy for MRT.

A girl in blue jeans and basic white top was talking to her friends. She was constantly ranting about how she hates riding the MRT. At one point, she said (maybe in jest, maybe not) in a fake American accent, “You know, I’m too sexy for this.” It is important to note that her looks weren’t really impressive. She’s just an average girl, at best.

She could be amusing. She could be annoying. But there was something that day that made me decide she’s a little entertaining. Hooray for self-confidence, yes?

5. That overly protective husband who went ballistic and blocked off everybody else to let her wife get in first.

Talk about love, passion, and dedication at the wrong place and time. It was around 6:00 PM at the Magallanes station. That man must have gotten a little too overwhelmed and threatened by the crowd that’s waiting to ride the train.

When the train arrived at the station, he started elbowing other people and shouted, “Oh yung asawa ko muna, papasukin nyo asawa ko. Ano ba! Sabi nang papasukin nyo muna asawa ko! (Let my wife get in first! My wife first!)”

Terrified and shocked, fellow commuters did exactly what the husband said. They cleared the entrance to let the wife hop on the train first, but the inappropriate and offensive actions of the husband had the other commuters taunting him. They were telling him off and saying, "Akala mo sa’yo ‘tong MRT (You think you own the MRT!)” and "Bumili ka ng sasakyan mo, dun mo pasakayin ‘yang Misis mo! (Buy a car for your wife!)

Whether or not it was because the wife was pregnant or had special needs that required special attention and VIP treatment, no one would really know. One thing I knew for sure is that the husband definitely needed an idiot’s guide to properly expressing your love for your partner.

#mrt #metro manila #pinoy #true stories

Getting around the metro is always such a pain in the ass. The traffic is bad, the means of transportation, worse. Not to mention the inconsiderate and ill-mannered ways of the people wanting to get ahead. It's like a jungle, really. The aggressive and the tough overpower the passive and the kind.

#Metro Manila #pinoy

Tagaytay Road Trip with Derek

How do you like the idea of getting away from the chaos of the metro to one of the most coveted getaway spots in the country with a celebrity of the now? As for me, I like it a lot.

The DDB PR team together with EastWest Bank executives and its ambassador (and my twitter follower) Derek Ramsay drove up to Tagaytay Highlands for a day of fun and recreation with some friends from the media.

This is work that I am talking about. And the work load included a smooth drive up to Tagaytay Highlands, a sumptuous buffet lunch, a perfect foggy weather, and a whole afternoon of fun. It's basically just a road trip. To Tagaytay. With Derek Ramsay.

The wasabi-flavored Kitkat is surprisingly really good. It's green but it tastes like white chocolate with a little bit of wasabi. No wasabi-sting, and it doesn't burn your nose at all.

#almostdan #wasabi #kitkat #wasabi-flavored kitkat #chocolates

Why PPUR is a true Wonder of Nature

Early this year, I went to Palawan with a couple of friends. Our trip involved island hopping, snorkeling, spelunking, playing sungka with foreign backpackers, watching fireflies (a lot of fireflies, actually) and of course, navigating the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Just in case you didn't know, the Puerto Princesa Underground River is the world's longest navigable underground river at 8.2 km.

It features astonishing formations of stalactites and stalagmites, which are the main attractions of the whole experience. Let me show you how wonderful it is inside the Puerto Princesa underground River.

#Puerto Princesa Underground River #Philippines #pinoy

Yes, friends, I thank god for giving me a crappy voice.

#crazy news #pinoy

#Landian2K11

After College, It's Called Alcoholism

Isn't it annoying when parents go mad about the things that COULD HAVE but NEVER really happened to you?

Like, that one inglorious Friday night, when I went out with my new workmates for the first time and I got real drunk, wasted, and shit that I didn't even know how I managed to go home at around 4AM, Saturday, without my mobile phone, any money, and ATM card. I mean, I got home safely no matter how wasted I was, but my dad still frets over the bad things that COULD HAVE BUT NEVER REALLY happened to me, until now. Please take note that it's already Tuesday.

There are four talking points here and allow me to lay it out for you.

#life #personal #peepaubau #drinking

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