1/30 - The Frankenprofile
In the wee hours of Saturday, as I agonized over what I wanted to say at the "Writing My Life" panel at #PLF2015, I called @tatiny. We talked about Keynotes and Powerpoints, activity pads and handouts. Then, her brilliant idea: "Why don't you give them a "Writing My Life" challenge?" That's what I did before going to bed—create a calendar of writing prompts for the month of September. The challenge starts tomorrow and anyone is free to join. The link to the digital calendar is in my bio. ⬆️ You can write in your journal or post on your blogs, your Tumblr, your Facebook, even Instagram. Tag us if you want us to see your work. And, if we all have fun doing this, maybe we will create an October calendar too. Ready? ✒️📓 #writemylife365
A photo posted by Pam Pastor (@pajammy) on Aug 31, 2015 at 8:02am PDT
Day 1 of the Write My Life Challenge from #PLF2015
I can't remember anymore how long ago my Facebook profile photo was taken (it was probably a bazillion Cheetos [Cheetoses?] ago).
Note to self: The fact that I can't remember when my profile photo was taken probably means I have to change it already.
I do remember that it was taken Halloween night. A photographer friend was going to a Halloween party; he wanted to go as Frankenstein and he asked me if I could do his makeup. We did the makeup at his friend's apartment in Manila. I was excited because I would finally be able to use my green face paint and black as a contour shade to get those dramatic monster shadows. Meanwhile, the photographers were excited to try out a green ring light that would give their Halloween photos a ghastly effect.
I remember our dinner--pita bread, hummus, meatballs, and these amazing potatoes from a nearby restaurant. I remember it well because it spawned a crazy adventure the weekend after Halloween.
As I was packing up my stuff, they asked me to pose in front of the eerie, green light and I almost said no. I may have forgotten when exactly this happened, but I'm sure it was pre-Instagram and definitely pre-selfie (what were we taking photos of then???).
I'm still not comfortable having my photo taken, but I realize now how important documenting memories are. Not just through photos, but through journals (or exercises like these!), videos, anything that'll help you relive the moment before the fog of forgetfulness sets in and all your recollections become hazy. All I have left of that night is a radioactive green-tinged photo. Well, that and the memory of yummy potatoes.
Those potatoes were so delicious that that Saturday, I dragged my friend back to Manila to find the restaurant, which was called Jerusalem. This was before Munchpunch, Looloo, Zomato, food blogs and Waze, and all we had to guide us was that it was kinda near the photographer's apartment.
We drove up and down the street, and went around and around, but we couldn't find Jerusalem.
I texted one of the photographers we were with during the shoot.
Me: "Saan nga yun Jerusalem?"
Photographer: "Sa Middle East."
Eventually, we did find Jerusalem, not in the Middle East, but in middle Ermita. The potatoes were fried, topped with chili and garlic, and tasted so good with pita bread and the magic white sauce from a squeeze bottle that all Middle Eastern restaurants have.
Stuffed from our trip to Jerusalem, we made our way back to Makati. About four blocks away from my house, we drove past a familiar-looking sign--Jerusalem's Makati branch.
