I LOVE….

1. The rain. /cuesadsongs.

Just kidding. Who doesn’t love the rainy season here in the Philippines? It’s practically our Winter Season. And with the heat this summer has brought, for some of us who were not able to take advantage of it by lounging at the beach or by the pool, you’ll hear a chorus of “Thank God summer is over” as the rain falls.

2. My bed, when it rained this noon.

It looks warm and (for me) cozy. Perfect for cuddle weather when your only cuddle partner is a pillow. #ForeverAlone.

3. Garett Hedlund as Finnick Odair

Mara and I have been spazzing about him since last night.

4. Mixtapes

After reading Tiffannie DeBartolo’s How to Kill a Rockstar, I am seriously reevaluating my taste in music. Downloading some mixtapes from Nothing Spaces and EWWMixtape.

5. Google Maps

Because it hasn’t failed me yet. (Only my (lack of) sense of direction.)

Other things I love: Red Ribbon’s Ultimate Chocolate Cake, my recently revived big ass USB (currently thinking of a fitting name. Calling it Jesus would be sacrilege and Aslan is the only other name that comes to mind.), books that take me to Italy and optimistic people.

somewhat-adventurous:

The Pantheon at the Latin Quarter. Paris, France.

One of the things I wish I had done in Paris was visit the inside of this place. Instead, I let my sister drag me off to McDonalds.

More Paris photos on my travel/photo dump.

Untitled and Unwritten

Here’s the thing: I’m lazy. And that is a truth I’ve been denying for a long time.

Honestly, I think I’m creative. And I say that in the most honest and least arrogant way possible. I think we all are, actually. I believe in the so-called naive way of thinking that all of us were born with the potential to be great. Like what Picasso said (which I have a statement shirt of, a bit ironically),“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” And that’s the story of a lot of people, in a nutshell.

I love reading. But sometimes, what I read in books is not enough. The adventure is not enough. The characters are missing something. The ending was not as promising as the beginning. My head is filled with different scenarios and ideas that I would want to read, that maybe, I should write. But I was- I am lazy. And I’ve called this laziness “Writer’s Block”.

Writing used to come as easy as reading. The first “story” I have written was all full of dialogue. I was in the fourth grade when I had written it, and continued writing this story till I was in the 6th, when I had abandoned it to write for an “audience”. Two words: Fan fiction.

The story I had written played out in my head like a TV series (or an Anime series to be more precise) with a lot of “seasons”. I had managed to fill dozens of notebooks (of which I’ve hidden in the deepest corners of my room) with it. When I reread some of these writings last year (struck by a peculiar need to try to sort out my room), I realized how bad it was.

The grammar (and my handwriting) was atrocious. The main character was definitely a Mary Sue (something I learned from fan fiction.) and the supporting characters were bland. The plot was inconsistent and the dialogue can either be too dramatic, too cheesy and/or trying hard to be humorous.

But despite all that, I think my 10-year-old self was a much better writer than I am now. For one, she was actually able to produce something. Put ideas into words and daydreams into descriptive scenarios. And with time, patience and a lot of practice, my 10-year-old self would outgrow all of my negative comments and write all the bad writing away, till there is nothing left but good writing. (Neil Gaiman once said that, I think.)

As for my writing now, well, I haven’t practiced, have I? And my pen(cil) needs a lot of sharpening to do. My writing has probably grown worse over the years. And the only thing I can write now are research papers, most likely.

That’s not a bad thing, but it’s not a creative output, is it?

A year ago, during my Journalism 101 class, we were asked to write a feature story  about one of our classmates. It’s been a year since I’ve written a features article, and I wasn’t so confident in my ability than I had been in my Senior year of high school when I was the Features editor of the school paper. But I just let the words flow, and it had been surprsingly easy because I was forced to write. My grades depended on it.

I started my article with a visual narrative of stereotypes. Just simple sentences depicting random scenes of an outsider. And the rest of the article was writing from facts. And what do you know, my classmates and professors liked it. Sure there had to be a lot of polishing to do, but they’ve particularly praised my lead. They said it was a vivid description, and that they could see clearly what I’ve wanted to portray in words.

I was ecstatic.

But sadly, I haven’t written any sort of descriptive/narrative prose since then.

I blamed it on schoolwork, org duties and “writer’s block”. But I didn’t blame it on myself, on my lack of focus, discipline and resolve.

When I was young, I’ll admit I never imagined writing as a career. Writing was my escape, my favorite pastime, and, if it still applies today, my talent. One that I’ve forgotten to hone.

I didn’t develop skills in drawing, playing instruments, or athletics. But I don’t want to lose my writing. I don’t want to outgrow it. I want to be a writer.

So, like an alcoholic going to therapy, I say: “Hi, I’m Annick. And I’m a lazy writer.” Because admitting is the first step to recovery.

#Happiness #Geek #books

Realizations:

1. I’m a geek, and proud. 
2. A lot of my books are missing and/or borrowed. (Including 1 Harry Potter book (lecreyyyssss.) and New Moon (*croo croo*) and others… T______T)
3. I have to “update” some book series I am following. (Especially the Mysterious Benedict Society~!)
4. I have 17 books on my shelf I have not yet read/finished reading.
5. Mutant Geek and proud.

On a random note, try to spot the Twilight series! I swear it’s there :P :))

Photos of the moon last Saturday. I think I may be a lunatic. Or possibly, Artemis is calling me. #ridiculous

A Summer Day in a Photo: April 29

In which Sundays are for family… at the Church and then at the mall @-)

SO yeah. Malls are our summer destinations. #sad

OR

In which I study for Nat Sci exams at the last minute.

But let’s go with the former.

After mass, Tita Cath treated us to Wendy’s. It was heavenly.

All food photos. #priorities

It was around 8PM when we got home. But I started studying at 10. huh.

A Summer Day in a Photo: April 28

In which I take a break from window shopping with the family.

Because if you hadn’t noticed, the last consecutive weekends were spent at the Mall, away from the summer heat.

Well, today I endured the heat and lazed about like a sloth. #goodtimes

A Summer Day in a Photo: April 27

In which a day is spent doing simple things.

Today was relatively ordinary compared to a few days ago. In Nat Sci 2, we watched the documentary entitled “Home”. I got to class late deliberately, because I studied for my French exam, and left early, because of my French exam. #priorities

After the exam (which was okay), Joser, Miggy and I passed the time at Antas, the bookstore and coffee stand/shop at the AS. We had the place to ourselves (hooray!) and we talked about random things… like anime @-)

After eating lunch with them and Yanna, I headed off to Trinoma… because I wanted to cool off before heading home. I went to bookstores and Daiso and Saizen (I’m not exactly sure what these Japanese shops are called). 

I went home empty-handed —-> and I was able to save P120 from my weekly allowance. #achievement I’ve also decided to save up for a cork board I saw at Saizen. Before the summer ends and the school year starts, I’ll have my own “Inspiration board/wall”

When I got home, I finished The Beckoning Hills. It’s the 11th book I’ve read this year… I think I’m behind schedule for my 50 books a year goal. And I just know that come next semester (or the whole third year of college) will be… a roller coaster ride. :))

A Summer Day in a Photo: April 26

In which we finally meet again.

My forever friends and I finally met up for the summer (although we weren’t complete) We ate at Dad’s merienda. #SobrangSulit And we couldn’t help but reminisce about the last time we ate there, for Maxine and Mariel’s joint birthday celebration, a day before Senior Prom. #priorities.

Then we made plans for the rest of the Summer. And it wasn’t easy, surprisingly. We ended up making Plan A (beach) to Plan H (work out —> last resort). Curiously, we were more excited for Plan B (Hunger Games @ Charlotte’s barrangay) :))

I have no photo of all of us together… because when we asked a personnel to take a picture, it was too late when we realized the camera was on video mode. #fail #screencapnalang

I can’t wait to have more summer days with them! :)

A Summer Day in a Photo: April 25

In which I spend the afternoon with my original partners-in-crime.

I suppose it’s normal that most of Filipinos’ childhood friends are actually their cousins. Reese and Jom are actually my second cousins, but we treat each other like siblings and best friends. Of course, family goes first.

We spent the afternoon walking about Bonifacio High Street, after Reese’s review. We didn’t have much money with us (I only had P35 in my wallet :|) and so after eating @ MCDO (Because we can never afford Brothers Burgers), we just walked and talked and became our usual, crazy selves when we’re together. Most of the time, we argued (me and Reese against Jom) about the proper marking of pedestrian lanes around BHS. Long story.

Then we reached the end. And we found a fountain and the “Banaue Rice Terraces”.

I had a video of them running like crazy before the water hit. I ran too. #likeajeje

We spied these guards. Jom says it’s One Direction.

Then there was this dog. I forgot the name. But we spent another half of the time trying to find out which names he responded to. I think HE liked “Victoria”…

Today is also my Dad’s birthday! Mom ordered North Park’s Crispy Noodles for Merienda/Dinner. We’re celebrating your birthday miles away, Dad.