SuperStyle! Who Am I Wearing? Year Two

1st Entry: Safari Chic

Dress and Sandals by Promod
Bangle by Baubles, Bangles and Beads
Boots by Methilation
Laptop Bag and Clam Box Bag by Sacs n Pacs
Bracelet and Earings by Fashion Galore


2nd Entry: Summer Lovin'

Dress, Scarf and Sandals by Promod
Bangle by Baubles Bangles and Beads
Earings by Fashion Galore
Bags by Tiramisu


3rd Entry: Classic

Wardrobe and Ballet Flats by Promod
Laptop Bag by Sacs n Pacs
Satchel and Clutch Bag by Tiramisu
B&W Heels by Methilation
Jewelry by Fashion Galore

Speech!

So I had my first speaking engagement at my college. I was the guest speaker at the IS General Assembly held a few hours ago.

I had a working draft, I had an outline on what I was about to say. In the end, I only said what comes to mind.

I hope that somehow, I motivated the students to do their best in their chosen field. And maybe consider the idea of pursuing further studies.

Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. B and IS Society!

Random Cebu pics

from my cousin Diane's digicam.

Cebu

June 19-23, 2008 - Went to Cebu with Mama to attend the wedding of Uncle Jerry.

I stayed at the Waterfront Hotel on the first two nights.



The wedding was held at the Archbishop's Palace.




The Menchavezes with Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Alo


After the wedding, I got together with my younger cousins for a much-needed bonding time. Interesting lighting coming up.





We went beaching at Moal Boal on Saturday despite the hangover as well as the strong winds and rain. Crazy kids!



The main course


Family picture. Sort of.


We were supposed to fly back Sunday, but Cebu Pacific canceled because of the bad weather in Manila. So we went to Sacred Heart for mass and visited Sto. Nino afterwards.

Sacred Heart

Sto. Nino



We went to the family home in Sogod and visited Lolo.

The view from Sogod

Lola Tita's altar


On my last night in Cebu, my cousins and I went out for a nightcap.



One last shot before calling it a night.


The trip was nothing short of memorable. Definitely will come back.

Back from Cebu

FUN!!! As in. Haven't been this happy and relaxed. I want to go back.

In a nutshell, this was my Cebu adventure:

6.19 - Arrived In Cebu City. Stayed in Waterfront Hotel. Met up with some relatives. Hanged out in Starbucks before calling it a night.

6.20 - The wedding. Lector duty. Reception. Bar-hopping.

6.21 - Beach in Moal Boal despite typhoon Frank (Crazy, I tell you!).

6.22 - Flight CANCELED!!! Took advantage of the extended day by going to mass at Sacred Heart. Visited the famous Sto. Nino Church. Went to the old family house in Sogod. Visited Lolo. Nightcap with cousins.

6.21 - Left Cebu. Better on a delayed flight than on a canceled one, I say.

The downside is obviously the strong winds and rain, but had a great bonding time with the immediate family (Mama), extended family (the Menchavezes) and the extended extended family (the Alos and the Canayas). Daghang salamat sa aking mga kamag-anak...

Pics and more blogging to follow...

Vacation Mode

I'm off to Cebu!!!

Finally, a decent vacation.

Faces and Places

Mode: Further strolling down memory lane...

Finally got my yearbook. And how time flies.

I see familiar faces who are by now, making a name in the legal profession. As much as I wanted to catch up with my batchmates, I think I want to succeed in the profession on my own pace, and not be as competitive... for now.

I see familiar places that I strolled just earlier when I attempted to get my transcript. Having that transcript of records will finally set my path on the way to that lawyer job.

More reminiscing

I know I should have done this earlier, but I finally came home to my former alma mater, Stella Maris.

Saw some of my former teachers. Among them are the current High School principal (who was then high school coordinator), former Filipino, Chemistry and Biology teachers, and my Grade 6 adviser, now the Grade School principal.

Who was I then? Mrs. Santos, my Grade 6 adviser told me that I stood up straight and was prim and proper. She indirectly referred me as the meek and silent one. I know that I was painfully shy then. Mrs. Ilagan, the current high school principal told me that I was a little slimmer back then. Ha! But they still remember my mom, who served as PTC/PTA president for so many years.

I wish I could tell them how I breezed through college, found my way to law school and struggled through the Bar Exams. But that involved a lot of drama. Plus, they were all very busy.

I love my alma mater. Problem is, I didn't have a lot of friends then. And the few friends I had in grade school "branched out". It was only in fourth year high school when I had a "barkada", and to them I am grateful, wherever they are. But I was always fond of my teachers, who are primarily the reason for my visit. Unfortunately, a lot of them have already retired. I will visit them again, maybe when I have work.

My Bible Sharing

Published in the June issue of the the OLCP newsletter.

Matthew 21:22 - Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.

I always believed in the power of prayer. But I did not realize how powerful it is until I prepared for the Bar Examinations last year.

One of the lecturers in my review school said that the preparation for the Bar Exams is an individual journey. And indeed it was. Unfortunately, it was also one of my most intense and saddest experiences that I had to go through.

It was not my first time to take the Bar. I could not get back my focus during the first months of preparation. I had to come up with a different battle plan. I revised my schedule for the subjects that I am supposed to review. I also realized that I have to include time for prayer. So that was my strategy, to study and pray. I allotted my Thursday mornings to go to the chapel of St. Jude, even if my time would be better utilized in studying. I also continued to serve in the Lector's Guild even though at that time, I already contemplated resigning my commission as lector. Most of all, I tried to stay positive.

Come, the four Sunday mornings of September, my family and I went to the OLCP Adoration Chapel before proceeding to the venue of the exam. Almost every exam question was accompanied with a prayer. And while waiting for the results, I was hopping from one church to another. This time, I let God take control of my future, whether as a lawyer or not.

On the night before the scheduled release of the results, I literally got all my novenas and prayer booklets and read them one by one. And I repeatedly prayed the rosary. I continued my prayers until a neighbor relayed to us that the exam results were already released. I passed.

I agree with what Fr. Ren said in our Bible Sharing with the Lector's Guild that prayers come hand in hand with work. But I also think that God answers prayers in His own time and there is a reason why my prayers were not answered previously. Now, I am just filled with gratitude with this gift that God has given me. It is all worth the wait.

Saks Fifth Havaianas

Very beachy!!! I'm not a blue person but I think these are still nice pairs.

Might buy one of these, but I'm using all my will power not to. Had a hard time picking one anyway. So there. =)

Havaianas Inventory and Comments

Inventory:
1. Rosa Branco - will retire this pair right now
2. Christmas Greetings White - why can't I sell this one? any takers?
3. Style Pink/Light Blue - I will probably give this one to somebody who needs it.
4. MYOH 2007 - lavender top sole, pink strap, star pin, really cute
6. Small Flowers Pink - another cute pair I was pursuing last year
7. Strawberry Pink with White Logo - a partial birthday gift
8. MYOH 2008 - see picture

So there. My updated list. I guess some sense has gotten into me and could not reach 10 pairs. I still have the Havs love though I do not have that hype anymore. So if ever a nice (and pink) pair comes along, I'm still there. Otherwise, I'm just happy browsing around the All Flip Flops Store.

Got Carrie-d Away

The Sex and the City movie is definitely a must-see for fans of the television show.

I love this movie. Although it would be nice if they didn't cut some scenes. I mean, what's the point of the title of the movie? Anyway, my fave scenes are probably towards the end when everything is alright with New York. And I love the ones with all the girls walking together to where they're going.


It was nice to see the girls again. I could easily relate to Charlotte. She seemed so positive and hopeful, too hopeful sometimes. But I would like the get some of the traits of Carrie, who always sees the big picture, and a bit of sarcasm in Miranda, who is probably the opposite of Charlotte. And I bow to Samantha, still the epitome of girl power, I mean, woman power.

I also love the supporting cast, particularly the leading men. While I rooted for Carrie and Big at the finale, Miranda and Steve have always been my fave couple.

So go get your girlfriends, drink some cosmos (optional), and relive the lives of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda in this reunion movie.

UPDATE: Sex and the City broke box office sales in opening weekend with $55.7 million, followed by the Indiana Jones movie with $46 million.

UPDATE 2: I'm doing a SATC series marathon starting today.

A late rant

About my grades...

As expected, I didn't meet the normal passing rate. Why? Because I got low grades on the three killer subjects. Grrr... One particular subject is, I think, the silent killer.

Funny that my lowest grade is on Civil Law, the subject that I found the easiest in this whole ordeal called the Bar Exams. AS IF?!? It was one of the subjects I reviewed over and over again, along with Remedial Law, Taxation, and Legal Ethics. And I got passing grades in all three subjects. So, a big DUH. As for the other two subjects, Labor and Criminal Law, I would understand a bit because as I emphasized my review on the others subjects, I only did two readings max on these subjects. Although I think I deserve a higher grade, lol.

What does this leaves me? Nothing, except that I'm glad that this ordeal is so over. And then another one begins...

Oh well. Bring it on!

One more rant. Unlike some of my batchmates, I'm proud to be a 2007 BAR passer, simply because I endured THREE killer subjects, unlike in the previous exams which only have one or two. So to the naysayers, this batch will prove you that we are as deserving to be granted the privilege to use that appellation, ATTY.

To all the 2007 BAR passers, YOU ROCK!

One year to go...

It was Mama's birthday yesterday, a few hours ago, actually. One year before turning six decades. She celebrated her big day attending early mass, getting her face "done", and afterwards, having dinner out with me and bro. But the celebration doesn't end there. Tomorrow, I mean, later, Mama and I along with some family and friends will be heading to Pansol (Laguna) for a much needed R&R.

On my part, I'm glad I finally gave that gift to Mama. Well, besides that Cross pen. Now if only I could find a job that suits me well, but I'm getting there.

Happy Birthday Mama. From your forever little helper.

The End.

I'm officially out of the job. Which brings me to the end of my non-legal career. Lovely. My leaving was voluntary, though. Earlier than expected. I have to say that I'm quite sad that I left without "things" being settled or my task being accomplished. In those aspects, I felt that I "failed". But definitely at least one good thing came out from my work experience in that company: I got my self-confidence back. I came to the job pretty sad and so much aloof and quiet, I'm coming out of it still quiet and aloof. But not sad anymore. If I didn't pass the bar I would have left without even informing the boss. But I did, and over the last few weeks I was faced with the dilemma on whether I should stay at my current job while looking for work or start job hunting full time at the risk of losing funds again. I chose the latter.

I really thought it was time to leave. As my boss said, I'm bigger than my job. I truly believe that. The only thing that was good about my last day is that I was able to talk with the boss briefly about what's in store for me. And for him I'm truly grateful, and to the associate editor who took a chance of hiring me under the circumstances. I would have loved to stay, but as fate would have allowed it (finally), the job is not for me anymore. Good luck to the new case digest specialist.

Almost Over...

... the sad chapter of my life, that is.

I am finishing some stuff from work and then I'm on a clean slate again. Too bad things didn't work out for me in the workplace, but it was bound to happen sooner or later. I kinda like my job and was planning to stay for a year. But things happened and they do happen for a reason, and I knew I have to leave.

Don't let this monkey deceive you...

This Zoobie Pet is a stuffed toy, pillow, and a blanket in one cute package. Great for kids and kids at heart.

I think I've reverted back to my childhood. Bad. What the heck, I'm adding this little guy to my wish list. If anybody cares.

More Oath Taking Pics

This time, from the "official" photographer

Make Your Own Havaianas '08

Waited in line for about 4 hours just to get this baby...


... but it sure is pretty!

Atty-at-last!!!

Just some significant pics taken earlier to complete everything.