You're so High School!

I got invited by a friend from high school for coffee . Though I'm not sure if we were really friends back then, he was more like my high school crush for 3 years. I was very discreet about him being my crush so he didn't know until we got to college, my friend dated his friend and since we were already 'adults' they decided that it was ok to out me on the guy.

Anyway, long story short, he knows. We both went to different universities, but we had a chance to meet up once or twice I think, I didn't really keep track.(I already had a different crush that time ☺). And recently, we reconnected again through facebook, exchanged our contact numbers and that was it. We never texted, not until today. He told me that he has a conference here in the metro and wants us to meet up. I don't know if I'm just being paranoid, but I feel like he thinks that he can just magically sweep me off my feet. I can feel this confidence in him. But hey its just me. But just so you know, just because I liked you back then, it doesn't mean I like you now. And truth is, I never really know why I even liked you.

So I think, I'll just pass on that coffee, for now. Sorry. ☺

Mockery(?)

I was browsing the local news' website and found out about Korean actress *Lee Da Hae imitating and mocking(?) the way Filipinos speak English. Honestly, I'm not affected in any way. Seriously, we Filipinos should lighten up! Every time the Philippines or Filipinos are mentioned in any international media we all can't contain our rages especially when we think that we or our country is being mock in any sort of way. We Filipinos are known to be sensitive people, we empathize and sympathize but I think we've gone to the point of being over sensitive. 

If you watch the video of Lee Da Hae it wasn't degrading to us, at all. She was just trying to entertain the viewers. Whether we admit it or not, at certain points of our lives we tried mimicking accents of different countries, and most of the time we exaggerate. Of that I am guilty. And I tell you when I'm with my friends I take on different accents and we all have a good laugh about it after. 

And even Filipinos especially those from the provinces of Visayas and Mindanao (like me) are not spared from the mockery. We are being represented stereotypically on television and movies, the very thick visayan accent, the provincial innocence, and the "manang" (oldmaid-ish) clothes. And you even coined a name for us, the promdis. But I tell you this, NOT all Filipinos out of Luzon are like those you portray on TV and movies. But do you hear us complain? No! Because we are better than that and we know how to differentiate real and reel. And who are we to take away your happiness? As we all know that sterotyped promdis are funny!

So please stop all the hating. Let's not forget that we Filipinos are also known to be happy people. So let's focus on it, let's just have a good laugh about it for a second or two and get on with our lives like we always do.

*Lee Da Hae is known for her role in the Korean series, My Girl

The Future of Shopping

I would really like to have this for Christmas!

I'm in love...

... with cardigans!

I've been in love with them since I had my first one. I got it back in high school, it was given to me by my maternal grandmother. It was so pretty that my mom and I shared it, we took turns wearing it! And up to now, I'm still addicted to cardigans, not just cardigans but to jackets in general. It's not like I get cold easily because I live in Manila where the temperature gets hotter than a sauna sometimes. Its just that cardigans/jackets add oomph to a really boring outfit! And I can just wear a plain tank top to work, granting that I have a cardigan on. It can turn a very casual outfit to something, business-y, and it can also turn a formal/cocktail dress to something casual! 

Cardigans are very versatile! So, to prove a point I made these looks from looklet.com. Honestly, I wasn't thinking of proving a point while making these looks, I just needed something to do to kill time. ☺

Anyway, here are the 3 looks I made using the trusty cardigan that I love.

A sparkly skirt and top is toned down by the cardigan to make it look casual, you can wear it to work or to the mall, then if you want to have a few drinks at a bar near the office just take off the cardigan and you're good to go!

You can getaway wearing a tank top to the office with a cardigan on. I use this trick when I can't think of anything to wear. I just put on a top, skinny jeans and cardigan and voila you have a smart casual look!

And the last look, you can wear it to a weekend getaway! Admit it, the outfit is just not complete without the cardigan, right?

So there you go... these are just some of the reasons why I love cardigans!

World Teachers' Day

Today is world teachers' day. I just wanted to take time to thank all the teachers in the world. They say that teaching is the noblest profession, and I 100% agree to that. Teachers are behind all professions, there will be no doctors, lawyers, engineers and other professionals if it weren't for them. They are our second parents, often times, kids, especially kindergartens and primary schoolers believe everything what their teachers say more than their parents. Teachers are a big factor to who or what we all become.

I can still remember all of my teachers, except maybe for my teacher in kindergarten since I only went for a couple of days or so. My mom said that I "quit" kindergarten because I said the lessons are just so easy and "paulit-ulit" or were done repeatedly which was for the benefit of the slow learners (sorry, I just can't find the right word to describe) which I didn't  know back then.

My favorite teachers were:

• Mrs. Zenaida Sayson, we call her Ma'am Zenny she was my teacher in first grade. She was just so sweet to everyone in my class and she always find ways to keep the class alert and happy.
• Ms. Judith Lagoy, she was our substitute teacher in grade 4. She was a fresh grad, very pretty and very full of energy.
• Ms. Derbie Geronimo and Ms. Fe Jandugan, our Science teachers in high school, they were the not-so-friendly teachers, my classmates would all agree to that but I still love them. Maybe because Science is one of my favorite subjects and I really learned a lot from the two of them.
• Mrs. Ludivina Salazar, she's my English teacher in HS, and my class adviser for 2 consecutive years (2nd and 3rd year), she was literally our "Mother of Perpetual Help", she was always there for us, her students, even when we were almost disowned by our school because our batch was the worst (their word) ever.
• Ms. Filsie Bualan, our PEHM teacher. She was pretty and very cool, and she has the prettiest hands! She's also a very good listener, she listens to all my rantings and musings. Until now we still talk to each other every once in a while.
• And I was in love with so many of my college professors, I can't name them here one by one because I love almost all of them except for 5, I think. About those 5, I don't hate them personally I just hate the courses that they were teaching, especially the very scary Math subjects!

And I will never forget the teachers in my family, my maternal grandparents are both retired public school teachers, my aunt Ida and my mom who are public school teachers. 

This blog entry is not even possible without you teachers out there. So to all the teachers in the world happy teachers' day to all of you. We owe you a lot!!!

Lost In Space and Everything Else

I posted this entry 5 years ago here : I'm posting this now because it describes exactly what I'm feeling now.

 This has been going on for the last couple of weeks. I felt like a zombie, hollow inside and been trying to drown myself with all the noise around me. I party hard just to forget this thing and it sucks! My system craves for wine and beer hoping it will dilute whatever trace of boredom and depression I had in me but to no avail. I felt like a miniscule particle floating in this god forsaken space with no direction and been bumping around on many obstacles that scar my already jaded mind. Ha! If it’s a fact of life that end with a K then it really sucks!

Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 29

I won't be telling you when this exercise should've ended because I can't. I lost track, this is way long overdue. If this were a utility bill I would have been charged 30% more. Great thing it's not, so no additional charges here.

Anyway, day 29: In this past month what have you learned?

 Procrastination at its best!

Aside from my procrastination magnified? Wait... I think I learned to share some of the things that I rarely or never talk about. And I did know myself better. I somehow got an idea what I want and do not want. Although most of those are just petty and silly little stuff but those define who I am. As a person. So love me, or hate me.

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 28

A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

March 2009

September 2010

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 27

Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?

At first I think that it would be fun doing this stuff, and aside from that I get to blog each day for 30 days without running out of something to blog about. 

But because I am just me, and I always procrastinate, it took me this long to get to day 27 when in fact I would have been done 6 days ago.

Even though I'm way too late, I'll just catch up with the remaining days and finish what I started. ☺

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 26

What do you think about your friends?

One sentence. They're the BEST!

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 25

What I would find in your bag?

Today, what you'll find in my bag are: my phone, mp3 player, my kikay kit, pens, coin purse, company ID, data cable, umbrella and Vicks inhaler. These are th stuff that I bring to work everyday, except for the inhaler (I'm having stuffy nose now). And I rarely bring my wallet to work because I get off at 4AM and I'm just avoiding the unspeakable possibilities if I bring my wallet with me.

Will post a picture later. ☺

I am Woman

This is my current LSS!

The song is self explanatory. ☺

Go Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte!

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 24

A letter to your parents

For Mama:

Momma,

I'm missing you now. I missed the days when you're here in Manila, our endless talks about everything. The way you rub my back so that I can sleep during my sleepless nights. And how you'll call me and ask me to meet you at the mall after I get off from work. Our pig out moments, our shopping together. I miss the little things we do together. I miss you momma. I hope to see you soon.

Te amo.

Ann

For Papa:

Pa,

The last time we saw each other all I ever said to you was "hi", and I really regret it. I hope a day will come when you'll call me or I can call you and we'll have coffee or something. I really missed you. And one of the reasons that I don't visit you it's because I'm jealous of my half siblings, they are so much closer to you. It pains me knowing that you tuck them to bed and kiss them goodnight. I'm also jealous because they get to spend time with you, and our communication is limited to text messages for special occasions like Christmas, new years and birthdays. I really hope we're going to be ok, someday, somehow.

Love Ann

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 23

Something you crave for a lot.

I crave a lot of food especially when it's almost the time of the month.

But I've been craving for frozen yogurt for forever, haven't had one for over a week now. And I think that this is the longest that I've gone without it. If I would wish for one thing this Christmas,  I would wish to have a yogurt machine at home. So I'll have unlimited supply of frozen yogurt in the comforts of my own home.

I'm also a chocoholic, and I don't want to go to rehab. Even if it's bad for my peptic ulcer, but still. I love chocolates. No explanations needed.

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 22

What makes you different from everyone else?

I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

But since we're on it I think I'm different because I am ME, flaws and all.

I may have fibbed a thousand times, but I am not the the type of person that will abandon a family or a friend in times of need.

I am different because I don't stick to the status quo. I deviate. Sometimes I think I'm bipolar in some ways. I like different things at the same time. I have no pattern, deciphering me is like reading an Anne Rice novel.

I may be the only person in the world that can't stand the smell of peanut butter but loves to eat peanuts. I don't eat egg yolks, liver and squash just because.

Often times, I'll be the biggest dork you'll ever know, but I can also be cool if I wanted to. I think the phrase that best describes me is that "I am anything but ORDINARY".

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 21

A picture of something that makes you happy.

I am kind of shallow in terms of happiness. Little things make me happy.

Being in a bookstore makes me happy. I love the idea of finding new books to read. And just the smell of the new books is like morphine to me. Although it kinds of trigger my allergies.

A clothing store, especially a ZARA store. It's like Christmas for me! I love that their designs are so much like the high end brands but of course it's way cheaper.

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 20

Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future

Honestly, I haven't thought about marriage, yet. If I had the choice, I won't be getting married within the next five years. For starters, I don't have a boyfriend. And besides, I still want to accomplish many things in my life so maybe I'll think of settling down when I finally got what I really wanted in life. And what I really want? It's yet to be discovered. ☺

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 19

Nicknames you have; why do you have them?

I have lots of nicknames! Not lots, lots, but I think I have at least 5.

Ann - what my family calls me

'ga - (from the Visayan word "pangga" means love) is what my mommy (my grandmother) calls me.

Tin - what most of my friends call me. For the most obvious reason, it's a shortened version of my name.

Tinox - the nickname I got from my college buddies, I don't know why they call me that.

Kriann - the nickname I made for myself as there are lots of Kristins (no matter the spelling difference but sounded the same) during my (I.T.) college years and it stuck till now.

KRISTINA - I'm kind of scared when my mom calls me this name, it only means one thing... I'm in big trouble!

Badids/Badiday - my father's family nicknamed me this, they said that when I was little I had very big/loud voice, I think until now I still do. Anyway, they said that I sounded like the late Inday Badiday. So the nickname.

Chelsea - what the people from my first job calls me, this was my American name. And it kinda stuck (also).

KristinAtilano in 30 Days - Day 18

Plans/ dreams/ goals you have.

I have no concrete plans just yet, but I'm already planning of quitting my job early next year. I think the I.T. world is not my cup of tea, never was. I already talked to my mom about the possible things I want to do next year. I would start a small business with my other girl cousins. They're both fresh out of college and doesn't like the idea of working for someone else. But they are oozing with fresh ideas and confidence.