I moved out of my folks’ house when I was 21 years old, back then I didn’t know that it’ll be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Moving out truly meant being on my own, I’m my own responsibility. But independency comes with a price; the reality of cooking my own meals, a budget I had to work with, and other home related things astounded me. I’ve lived a quite spoiled life at my parents’ home; with housemaids to clean and cook for me; being on my own left me baffled about the littlest of things like cleaning the bathroom and organizing my stuff. Though little by little, I learned from past mistakes (that I’m too ashamed to blog here).

For me, living alone meant that I could stay up until 5am working on design projects without anyone bothering me or being awakened by the noise outside my room or eat in my bed. It meant I could stay curled up in bed for an entire day, eating whatever I want, fart under the sheets, and going home (I now call it my home) at whatever time I like. Being independent almost feels like being a rebel, but with your parents’ consent. I manage to support myself financially and turn down every offer to move back home by my parents. I felt so invigorated.

Though at times I get lonely, and hopelessness envelops me when my tiny place is so messy I couldn’t see the floor. And when I wake up from a severe hangover and I couldn’t find a decent breakfast or food, and when I can’t stand to eat another fastfood meal, when I terribly miss my dog (and when I think that he’s growing older without me around), sometimes I long for my mom’s nagging and bickering with my brothers over who misplaced the remote control; I think of coming back home. But I realized that I have subjected myself these feelings and issues when I decided to move out, that’s why I have to move forward.

One of the lessons I learned from living alone is not taking any crap from anyone else, and also I wouldn’t let a 24 years old who still lives with his or her parents to talk down on me. And the most important realization is that I will discover life at my own pace, and through the decisions, that I, and not anyone else, makes for me. 

The OC Interior Designer

Reg Rodriguez

Bought a bracelet from Antler, live indeed. 

Jonathan Tolentino and Stanley Estrada rocking out Flying Dutchman’s shirts. 

Rocking the navy blue rucksack and bought a shirt, this guy is probably one of Flying Dutchman’s most loyal patrons. 

Free Cotton Candy from Chocolate makes Helloweathergirl cray-cray. 

Probably the most adorable creature who dropped by. 

Kelly Medina

Two ways to rock Flying Dutchman’s bullhead pair. 

Every human being has the inherent right to life.

Five Romantic Moments in TV

Summer and Seth’s Coffee Cart Moment

The O.C. was my favorite TV series back when I was in high school, so you could just imagine how I adore Seth and Summer, I was even ecstatic when I learned that they started dating not just in reel but also in real life, although sadly it didn’t last. There are a ton of Seth and Summer moments that had me screaming like a 5 year old girl like the one when they shared a “spiderman kiss”, or the one when Summer said that “You can’t fight Fate” to Zach right before they go to Italy to attend Zach’s sister’s wedding. So, I chose this “acknowledge me now lose me forever” scene since it was pretty adamant that Seth adores Summer that he was willing to compromise his already dork reputation on the promise of a blissful future with Summer. They also have another coffee cart scene wherein summer is the one professing her love to Seth but it ended up badly. Seth and Summer will always be the most adorable couple in TV history for me. (Also, don’t let go of the girl who dresses up as Wonder woman for you). 

Dan and Blair’s Secret Valentine’s Day in Bed

Like Seth and Summer, Dan and Blair had a love and hate relationship (I’m sensing a pattern here, Josh Schwartz) that is just too cute for words. I think that there are perfect for each other (sorry, Chair shippers) because for once Blair is her real self when she’s with Dan. Also, amongst the Gossip Girl couples, the Dan and Blair team-up seems to be the most realistic one since I can’t imagine anyone having the energy and time to scheme like Chuck Bass does. Anyhoo, the reason I chose this over the “underrated goodbye kiss at the hospital (which I find so sweet)” is because this scene captures what love for me is, it doesn’t have to be tangible. You could be miles or a few boroughs apart but when you know it’s love, it’s love.

Santana’s love for Brittany

Santana: When I’m with Brittany I finally understand what people are talking about when they talk about love.

Love is genderless. And it is impossible to put into words what love really is, what it makes us feel and what we are willing to let go off for it. Santana and Brittany are amazing, really.

Chandler and Monica’s Wedding Proposal

Chandler: You make me happier than I ever thought I could be. And if you’ll let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way.

Chandler had always been, for me, the epitome of an awkward guy that just doesn’t get the girl. I mean c’mon he’s roommate with Joey, the pretty one. So when he was surely going to end up with Monica, I was happy for him.  How could you not squeal when Joey mislead Chandler that Monica left and just when you thought that Chandler will be forever alone, Monica surprises him with so many candles you could light up a whole city.

Sheldon asked Amy to be his Girlfriend

Sheldon Cooper is a very stubborn lad while Amy is socially naïve, so when you put this two together, you’re bound for some literal relationship compromise. ShAmy is just adorable.

Five Heartbreaking Moments in TV

Ted and Robin’s Breakup

Robin: So where does that leave us?

Ted: Well, we could stay together and pretend this stuff doesn’t matter or we could give back the blue French horn.

Robin: You stole a blue French horn for me.

Ted: I would have stolen you a whole orchestra.

Breaking up is never an easy feat to do. So when Ted and Robin’s breakup scene happened along with the heartfelt dialogues that came up with it, it was truly one of TV’s most heartbreaking scenes. Also, The 88’s No One Here (Acoustic) helped made the scene more heartbreaking than it already is. I’ve always pinned for Ted and Robin and still do until now, they were so perfect together.

Christina tells Teddy Henry Died

It took a while for Teddy to meet someone right for her, with all the online dating she had to endure, so I was extremely happy for her when Henry finally showed up in her life. Hence, I was also extremely sad when Henry passed away and how Teddy found out. They were so cute together. And I know it’s irrational but I started to loathe Owen since Henry’s passing and also because he can’t let go of the fact that Christina doesn’t want kids. 

Alaric and Isobel’s Confrontation

Isobel: You’re not going to remember this. I loved you, I did and when I think about what I gave up it hurts. But now your heart is free of me, it’s easier this way. Goodbye Rick.

This right here is an epic example when a TV show’s sole objective is to make their viewers cry and unleash their inner cry-baby self. Though they achieved it but not that subtly, this is one of the few moments wherein the “compel” thing is quite rational.

Marissa Cooper’s demise in Ryan’s arms

I never really liked Marissa Cooper’s character in The O.C. since I find it so tiring to like her amidst all her issues, though Ryan’s character is pretty okay. I’ve never said it out loud but I had never forgiven Kevin Volchok portrayed by Cam Gigandet for Marissa’s death (hence ultimately making the season 4 of The O.C. terrible) right then when everything seems to be getting better for her. It was just sad to see her die in Ryan’s arms. And the song Hallelujah blasting from the background doesn’t help either, though I think Jeff Buckley’s version would’ve been a better pick.

Barney broke up with Nora to be with Robin but Robin rejected him

Though I’ve always pinned for Ted and Robin, I must admit that Robin and Barney were awesome together. So it was a sad scene when Barney broke things up with Nora to be with Robin but Robin rejected him for Kevin. It is always sad when you give up something you want for something you want more but you end up with neither.

1. The Underdog -Spoon

2. The First Day of My Life -Bright Eyes

3. Up Up Up -Givers

4. Chasin’ Echoes -The Lonely Biscuits

5. Animal -Javier Dunn

6. Sweet Disposition -The Temper Trap

7. Four Love Songs -Ellie Goulding

8. I Found A Whistle -MGMT

9. I’m Sticking With You -The Velvet Underground

10. You Wouldn’t Like Me -Tegan and Sara

11. On We March -Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

12. Baby Missiles -The War On Drugs

13. Happy Kid -Nada Surf

14. Abel -The National

15. We Used To Wait -Arcade Fire

16. Bookends -Simon and Garfunkel

17. Dream -Priscilla Ahn

18. Heart In Your Heartbreak -The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

19. Don’t Carry It All -The Decemberists

20. Monuments and Melodies -Incubus

I apologize for the long hiatus again. It had been busy since we’re working on a new campaign pitch for some alcoholic drinks brands and some other work we have to finish before March. And also I’ve been sick for the last few days, this flu is killing me. So to make up for the long absence, I decided to participate in the game above. I must admit that I do have a horrid playlist in my itunes pigeonholed as “Guilty Pleasures aka 90’s songs”. Anyhoo, hope you guys are having a productive February. Photodump for this month will be posted soon. Cheers! 

Have you ever been in love? Horrible, isn’t it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens your heart and it means someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses. You build up this whole armor, for years, so nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life…you give them a piece of you. They don’t ask for it. They do something dumb one day like kiss you, or smile at you, and then your life isn’t your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so a simple phrase like “maybe we should just be friends” or “how very perceptive” turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It’s a soul-hurt, a body-hurt. A real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. Nothing should be able to do that. Especially not love.

I was able to squeeze a personal work last week (I can’t this week, too much work but I ain’t complaining) and was able to finish it in one day. I got the inspiration since I will always be a fan of comics and graphic novels especially the ones from Chris Ware, Craig Thompson and Neil Gaiman. I guess this affiliation with these awesome things started back when I was a kid and was (still is) a fan of the Power Rangers. I was never pedantic on which superhero shows to watch as long as I get to have my save-the-world-and-rescue-the-girl-from-the-boiling-pot fix and then I’m good to go. There’s a certain charm superheroes have, heck even some villains look way cooler than some superheroes (Hi, Harley Quinn!). I assume that all of us are fans of these fictional characters at one point in our lives, ‘cos there is a certain comfort in believing in something even if it involves masks, capes and some ridiculous tactics to save the world from oblivion.

P.S.

Hope you can guess the corresponding characters from the poster (Hint: it’s arranged alphabetically). Ruds by far has the most right guesses with 11 correct matches. Goodluck and have fun! 

Chuck was the name my girlfriend’s father mistook as being my nickname after the first time we met but Chuck is also the title of the TV series I watched religiously since it started 5 years ago. I wouldn’t claim that it is the best show on TV but I can vouch for it for being one of the most charming ones out there. I was originally interested of it because I heard that Josh Schwartz was doing it who also gave us shows like The O.C. and Gossip Girl (don’t judge me for my TV show choices, Haha).

Chuck being portrayed by Zachary Levi is the typical charming nerd guy who falls for Sarah Walker portrayed by Yvonne Strahovski, Sarah is this gorgeous blonde who also happens to be a spy. Chuck really is just the typical TV show that you would’ve pass up cos it seems boring but I guess where Chuck really nails it is knowing who their audience is and building a storyline around that. References about video games and movies are just common when you’re watching Chuck, the show also happens to have nice song choices. And from time to time they manage to surprise us with special guests like when Rachel Bilson portrayed Lou, a deli owner who had a brief romance with Bartowski; Brandon Routh as Daniel Shaw who has undeniably good chemistry with Walker; Kristin Kreuk as Hannah who charmed Chuck (and the rest of us); Firefly’s Summer Glau as Greta was still hot after threatening Grimes to leave her alone; Community’s Danny Pudi and Yvette Nicole Brown also did a cameo for the show.  I could go on and on listing Chuck’s pros but I wouldn’t bother to list its cons since it is a terrible way to bid a TV show you love for 5 years. I don’t want to make a big deal out of it but if I could and if I have the resources I would produce the show myself to keep it from bidding us goodbye but I’m not filthy rich so I guess I’ll just look forward to that 2 hour finale this coming thursday and hope that it will give justice to the show. Here’s to the awesome cast and crew for keeping us entertained all this years! You did a good job! Cheers! (I’m weeping inside cos I’m going to miss it a lot and also because I watched the cast and crew’s message to fans during the final night on set). 

Being recognized for something is, for me, one of the best sentiments one could have. Today, I felt more alive. It probably came from the fact that another person or individual acknowledges that I exist, that I occupy a little space in this mammoth of a land. I mentioned in this blog before that I was busy with a new business a few friends and I are putting up, it’s a creative agency. And yesterday we started to send out our portfolio to potential clients and some colleagues; it was really pleasant that we got replies and a handful of congratulations for putting up a business and for producing a high quality portfolio. It was nice to be recognized, to be recognized for something you’ve worked hard for. I know a few individuals that hit rock bottom because they thought that no one recognizes their effort or even their affection. Early on I realized the importance of recognition, since I had little of it growing up. I don’t know what the big deal is, it’s not difficult to say to someone “hey you did a good job!” or “thank you for being there”. Showing recognition isn’t difficult either; it may be a gentle touch, a smile or a kiss. Lucky are those that have people in their lives that recognize them, so if ever you’re one of the lucky ones don’t take it for granted. I have no idea why this topic speaks to me greatly, maybe because I have suppressed frustrations about it since whenever this topic pops out of my head I would constantly remind myself that if you’re honest with what you want out of a relationship whether it be a platonic or a romantic one then you’re good to go. You and I don’t have to settle for anything less than that. We need not to convince ourselves to be with the kind of people who sucks the happiness out of us or conceals us from their worlds. You and I deserves more, a lot more. Recognize someone today, it’ll do wonders. 

Pardon me from my 3 weeks hiatus. It’s been crazy since January kicked in. I was busy working on a new business venture with just the most amazing people (more on that in the coming weeks). Also, I had to deal with my back strain that’s been bugging me for almost 2 weeks now, I already feel like I’m Snorlax (pokemon) whenever I had to drag myself out of bed. How’s your January so far?