Oh My Janey

KPOP Festival: Music Bank in Hong Kong 2012

Runner-up titles for this blog post include:

  •      Happy But Broke
  •      The 8-year-old Dream, Finally Realized
  •      My First Date with ChangMin
  •      The First of Many Meetings With ChangMin
  •      The Night I Cried in Public and Didn’t Care

But alas, I decided that a simple one will do, because a long and passionate rant of the most emotional night of my life will make up for it.

On June 22, I made my first overseas flight without my sister. It was exciting but a bit nerve-wracking as well. I had the entire trip planned out. Go watch the concert, and  get as close to DBSK as possible to give them my letters. I didn’t go to Hong Kong just to see them live. I went to Hong Kong to let them know I exist okay! /spoken like a true delusional fangirl

But seriously, when we arrived at the airport, the only thing on my mind was to look for a group of fans going crazy and follow the crowd. If a Korean celebrity (anyone of the artists performing for Music Bank) is nearby, then it’s definite that fans will be there. Sadly, the airport was so quiet and there’s not a single oppa in sight. As much as I wanted to stay in the airport and spend the entire day waiting, I couldn’t. Hehe.

We had the entire day to spend whatever way we like since the concert still the next day. So we roam around the tourist spots in and near Tsim Sha Tsui and be the best fangirls in the world. Hong Kong Records was our primary destination and hoarded DVDs and CDs! Hehe. Hey, shipping is expensive and it’s not always easy to buy KPOP and JPOP DVDs!

After our tiring first day in HK, June 23 finally arrived! But we didn’t directly head to the Asia World Expo because what were we going to do there anyway? We have reserved seats so we didn’t have to line up to have better seats. While waiting for the concert, we took a cable car ride to see go to Ngong Ping Village. And finally after lunch, we went to the bus station near the cable car terminal. From there, we took a bus to Asia World Expo. My heart went thump thump when I finally saw the arena! OMG THAT’S WHERE I’LL SEE MY CHANGMIN, my heart cried.

When we reached the arena, there were already tons of fans wearing fashion blogger outfits. There were multiple lines and Haszelle and I were so confused! Why are these so many lines? There weren’t any sign, indicating if the fans lined according to their seat number. So we approached one fan and I have NOOOOO idea how we understood each other. But it turns out that different fanbases were giving away freebies! Rich fans are rich, okay.

And you know me, whenever I hear the word “free” I rush to the nearest line and eagerly wait for my turn. Haszelle and I saw fans carrying the same DBSK banners so we knew Hong Kong Cassies were giving away something, too. But we couldn’t see any DBSK line so we lined for the CNBLUE freebies instead. But that’s perfectly okay with me because CNBLUE is my second bias! I am forever baffled at how rich the fans are. In my pack, I received a CNBLUE banner, CNBLUE photocards, candies, a Yong Choding sticker, and a guitar pick with a CNBLUE silhouette! I was a happy camper.

[Read more…]

The Heavy Feet

I would like to start this post with a quote from Meteor Garden (because it has been 10 years, you know?):

Everyone should have a good pair of shoes. The best shoes will take you to the best places. – Teng Tang Jing

I am not sure how true these words are, because often, the best shoes are expensive and I can’t afford expensive shoes. Often, I buy cheap ones that are comfortable enough to walk in, so I’m not sure if I got to good places because of my shoes. Maybe not. Teng Tang Jing is rich and graceful, both things I’m not, so I wonder if I really should be heeding her advice when it comes to buying shoes.

As a girl, it’s important to invest on good pairs of pretty and comfortable shoes. But being a girl who walks like a grade schooler, shoes don’t really last when I’m the owner. For some reason, I’m not just good at taking care of my own stuff, and that extends to taking care of my shoes. My sister says I have heavy feet that’s why my flats only last for a few months. When I used to go jogging with my officemates, they say they knew my footsteps pretty well because its loud.

This leads me to observe my way of walking, and indeed, I seem to walk loudly. *sob* I blame these for having small, hurried footsteps. Small, because I have short legs, and hurried, because the Elbi culture taught me to walk that way. Or maybe because the boyfriend is a lot taller so my footsteps have to compensate whenever we walk together. I don’t know. I’m just making it up here.

Therefore, I am resolved not to buy anything expensive for I know it will fall to ruins anyway. Heehee. A 500PHP doll shoes? Too expensive! A more than 1,000PHP heels? Walking along Dela Rosa everyday would make it look like a 300-peso pair of shoes. So yeah, no thanks. Unless it’s a gift, of course!

For the past couple of months, I have to live with only two pairs of flats (a black Solemate flats and a gray pair from my sister), a pair of  wedge, and three sandals (but one broke remember? T_T). I walk to and from work so I couldn’t wear my shoes consecutively, and as un-fashionable as I am, I still try to match my clothes to my shoes. Haha. And sadly, I always end up wishing I have more pairs because I read too much fashion blogs. No other reason, really.

I resolve on buying a couple of shoes for the next couple of months and it started last August. And thus, starts the shopping. [Read more…]

Goodbye August, Hello September

The worst way to spend the first day of the month that falls on a Saturday is by going to work. And that’s sadly what happened.

On September 1, instead of welcoming the Ber months with a smile and excitement, my officemates and I spent it cramming some more work for August. It was already September but our mindset was still on August. We had a couple of emergency day offs due to the typhoon last month so we had to offset a couple of Saturdays. The last one was last saturday ,and I’m just glad that it’s all over.

August was the month that I got so lazy at work that I had to cram everything on the last couple of days. I do not want to go through that torture again. Overt-time work for consecutive days? Waking up and feeling like an 80-year-old person? Feeling so tired you could collapse just by sitting? Definitely not me. So yes, I promise to work hard the first few days of September so I could finally relax as the last week rolls by. That’s the plan, anyway.

So last Saturday, my officemates and I spent the first day of September at the office. We were working on adrenaline rush during the morning, but once the clock hit 12PM, we were just happy to throw our hands in the air and say hello to September. We could finally smile and just laugh and eat and work at a minimum.

It’s been a while since we had a lunch out and after debating in the middle of the sidewalk, we settled for KFC. I definitely mind working on a Saturday, but I do not mind spending it with these people.

Buboy, one of my officemates, treated us to some Korean ice cream after lunch! I wish days like this would happen more often. Eating Korean ice cream everyday doesn’t really fit my budget, so I’m hoping that more good souls would think of treating me to one  every now and then. *cough*Kuya Abel*cough*

Here’s to hoping that September would be an easier month to tread. I definitely hope that I won’t be as stressed out. I’m having a pimple break-out since I had a tough and stressful week! But I’m definitely keeping my happy hat on. I started this month on a high spirit, so let’s continue it at that way.

P.S. All photos are from my friends’ iPhone, iPad, Blackberry. These photos further convinced me that I need (want!) a phone with a good camera. In short, I should seriously consider getting myself an iPhone. /wails

Tumblr Fair ’12

If you missed the Tumblr fair, I feel a bit sorry for you. Well, not really. But you definitely missed out a lot!

I wasn’t really planning to go since I had no idea where San Juan City is but I just really, really wanted to see so many bloggers. Jinky asked me why I know (they don’t know me, but you know what I mean!) so many Tumblr bloggers and I said that I’ve been a user since 2009. Let’s just say that I’ve been stalking quite a lot of Tumblr bloggers for the past 3-4 years. She then asked me why I still look normal (Jinky: Anong nangyari sa’yo?!) because pretty much everyone we saw in the fair are fashion experts or something. Well, I focused on KPOP, okay. Haha.

I digress.

Anyway, it was a rainy Saturday but that didn’t stop me from going. Jinky instructed me on how to get there since she actually lives near San Juan Gymnasium! It’s the farthest I’ve commuted alone excluding my Makati-Laguna friday adventures. Commuting alone still excites me especially when I’m going somewhere for the first time. Thankfully, I didn’t get lost because the lady who sat next to me on my Quiapo bus ride helped me ask the the bus conductor where Pinaglabanan is.

I was too happy not to get lost that I didn’t mind waiting for Jinky at all. Haha! From her condo, we walked to the gymnasium which happens to be a gymnasium of a local public school. If it weren’t for Jinky, I wouldn’t have found the place!

I was surprised to see that there weren’t that many people. I mean, it’s the first Tumblr fair and I’ve seen quite a lot of reblogs for the promotional poster. But then again, it was a Saturday, the place was out of the way, and it was raining! I almost didn’t go myself, but Jinky would probably hate me if I didn’t. Hehe.

I had a fun time people-watching. It’s quite overwhelming to see fashion bloggers in real life! I’d probably be awestruck to see the likes of Kryz Uy or Tricia Gosingtian! Bring the fangirl-ing on! Actually, there were 4 Tumblr bloggers that I wanted to see but I only saw 3 of them. Still, it was enough to make me all giddy! I wanted to approach them but I only ended up visiting their booth and looking around the place. Not even talking because I was too shy hahaha. I’m a sorry excuse for an “adult”. I can’t even talk to girls.

So many people were so well-dressed that I felt quite silly in my jeans and blouse. I didn’t know we were supposed to wear five-inch heels or combat boots when going to the fair. Haha. [Read more…]

Cinemalaya Opening Night

I don’t get to watch Filipino indie films as much as I want. Having lived and studied in Laguna most of my life, my only chance to see indie films were when they show it in Elbi. I remember watching only 2 full-length indie films in college: Kubrador and Manoro. I didn’t understand both. Haha! But when I attended a screening in UPLB of multiple indie films about kids (Andong‘s my favorite!), I decided to watch as many indie films as I can.

When I finally moved to Makati for my first (and current huhu) job, I thought I’d have more time to attend indie film screenings. That didn’t go according to plan. Though I had all the chances in the world, I have failed to go to screenings. But this year, I made plans with friends to attend the opening night of Cinemalaya and I’m glad our plans pushed through! Well, they’re regular attendees, anyway, and I just tagged along.

We braved the harsh weather and trekked our way to CCP. Jinky, Kimpee and Sarah were already there, and Ate Marco, Ayessa and I arrived later. I was just glad to arrive whole at CCP, wet, but whole. It was my second time at CCP and I felt as if my drenched self was a bit out of place. The place was lovely, of course.

We didn’t get to see the opening program but we were just in time for Laurice Guillen’s introductory speech of Mario O’Hara’s Babae sa Breakwater. I enjoyed the film but it gave me mini-heart attacks every other scene. It was just incredibly intense and incredibly depressing, too. I guess that’s what a movie reflecting the lives of millions of Filipinos can do to you. I talked more about it here.

After the movie, we saw tons of celebrities in the lobby. We had a picture taken with Sir Lou Veloso who was in the film. Laurice Guillen was doing an interview so we didn’t have the guts to approach her. I heard Tita Gretchen and Tito Tony Boy were there, too, but I missed them. Huhu. [Read more…]

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