Friday, January 24, 2014

There's no greater high than being on air

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I spent nearly 3 years in college as a volunteer student broadcaster for the premiere college radio in the country, DZLB-FM 97.4. I thought I'd retire the 'jock thing' by age 20, but an opportunity unexpectedly came knocking in and I knew right then and there it was worth the risks of answering.

My college friend Nikko invited me (along with my best friend Kams) to be on his morning show in 99.5 PlayFM. Nikko and I broadcasted in college together for a 2-hour music countdown program, which is the closing program every week. 

Rusty as I was, I found myself sitting comfortably in the booth after more than 3 years of non-radio activity. It was like rekindling an old romance; recalling my infatuation with broadcasting is bittersweet. For one, I know it is something I want but I have other commitments that cannot be undone at this stage. 

For now my little stint on national radio will continue to be a part of this year's highlights, among a few others :) I can't thank Nikko enough for giving me a chance to live my dream even if it was just for 3 hours. It made the stressful commute, missed class and everything in between so fucking worth it!

So nope, video did not kill the radio star. Priority did. Kidding

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Sweepstake 'Ana'


Nine days into 2014, I was rendering overtime work, totally minding my own business when I mindlessly checked my personal email out of habit. Just like my initial reaction to when I read the Topshop Unlock Your Wardrobe email last year, I thought it was just one of those spam messages:

It was one gruesome Thursday (which by the way is the longest day of my week with a 3-hour class sandwiched between working hours) so I initially blanked out and had to take a moment to absorb what was happening. I FUCKING WON THE WISHLIST SWEEPSTAKES! MISS SELFRIDGE -- That's Topshop's fancier, dressier and flashier sister. Anything Topshop or Topshop/Arcadia group-affiliate, I'm an instant convert. The email lost me in the product name overload so I had to recall my picks from a selection of 12 items from the lot. 

Contest Mechanics: From a selection of 12 items, the participant must create her own wishlist with 4 items and submit the wishlist online. It was that easy.


I'm easily blinded by stylish and fancy pieces so I was drawn to the Snow Fairy dress with beaded bodice. The jewel neck skater dress came in close second because of the classic silhouette and neck embellishment. I selected the shoes to pair each dress because I have serious issues with pairing. If I get stand out piece, I'm gonna have to get something to match it with. To be honest, it NEVER crossed my mind that my wishlist would be chosen because I already won the Topshop contest last year. :) 

See my honest lack of thought? Had I know, I would have chosen a more casual selection I can wear at work or school on most days. But no regrets, I am absolutely obsessed with these pieces.

Last Wednesday, I had to leave for Manila straight after work to meet my best friend (entry to follow). I had to take a quick detour to Greenbelt to claim my winnings. I was reeling with anxiety considering the complaints raised by the other two winners (one received the wrong sizes for 3 out of 4 items; the other had to bring home a substitute to one item; the other winner,I am not so sure of because only the three of us were looped in the email communication). In my head I knew I was doomed for something bad.

I would say lady luck was on my side that day. Seeing the items individually wrapped in white Japanese papers and neatly tucked into separate bags made me so giddy. This may have been a far cry from the other branch, which I heard stowed all prizes in one bag. The supervisor warmly welcomed and congratulated me while my IDs were being verified et voila! Three shoppingbagsfull:

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Look # 1. Edgy Kate Middleton
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Look # 2. Winter Fairy
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This was just the start of a string of good news this month. Isn't it absolutely amazing how good news can easily turn a bad day upside down?

I would like to thank RSSI, Miss Selfridge and Schmuzter for this loot :) And Thank you God for always walking with me. 

PS. 'Sweepstake Annie' is a movie. Yup, you're welcome. 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

(Sabo) Skirting the Issue

Nobody does summer dressing better than Sabo Skirt - that I can assure you. While their pieces are mostly not for the faint of heart, there will always be something for every taste. 10 articles of clothing, 4 parcels and 1 magic plastic a-blazing, I am not done professing my unwavering obsession for this brand.
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Despite the voluminous delivery backlogs at my local customs, my package miraculously turned up in my doorstep within the 10 business-day delivery period. (Per Sabo Skirt policy, international delivery takes 5-15 business days) 

Nothing says therapy like retail therapy :)

Friday, January 17, 2014

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it

Belly button piercing and life lessons

I've hurdled through countless body issues with my cutesy belly button piercing for the last 7 weeks and picked up some lessons along the way.

1. This IS the true test of patience, I'm telling you. Granted a belly button piercing takes forever to heal, it's sure to keep you on the edge for a while! And while you think you are immune to any form of infection because you are highly sanitary, trust me, you wouldn't know infection til it slaps you on the face.

Reasons why you need patience, and I mean lots of it:

  • You have to let your body heal the piercing naturally, you can't have it any other way. You have to completely eliminate, if not minimize, contact with any substance -- from sweat to soap, etc., except for clean water (with a pinch of sea salt).
  • You can't give up on the after-care triple-S. Yes, you will be sea salt-soaking for a few months. Sea salt is the ONLY recommended solution for cleaning. This should be coarse/fine and non-iodized. (and now, we're not talking about a regular, table salt here).
  • Those dangly cute belly button rings are a long way to go. Think 3 to 4 months before you can safely have them changed. Considering it doesn't get infected, you should be fine. 
  • The healing process is a tug-o-war. One day it looks fine and the next, it's lymphing. (and this is how it's going to be for the next few months)
2. Embrace change. Getting your navel pierced calls for a slight change in routine. 
  • For the last 20 plus years I've been sleeping on my stomach. On the first night after getting pierced, I only slept for two hours. Took me a while before I got used to sleeping on my back because practically, I don't have much choice. 
  • Having a new belly button piercing limits your choice of clothing. 
    • You can't wear anything tight-fitting, 
    • Button-downs can snag on the jewellery, 
    • Jeans can give you frontal muffin while seating which tends to push the jewellery upwards
    • High-waist anything can kill you (seriously, just imagine the pain of having a waist band tightly wrapped around your navel area) 

3. Live a little. This is trial and error. Just because it worked for someone else, doesn't mean it's going to be the same for you. Let me walk you through the hazards and normal reactions:

  • Initial stages - the piercing is prone to infection which can cause severe lymphing, bleeding and then scabbing
  • Interim - allergic reaction to temporary jewellery, migration (movement from original pierced area -- totes normal)
  • Final healing - REJECTION. DUN DUN DUNNNNN
It's a long way to go and sometimes it keeps you from enjoying/appreciating :) LIVE IN THE FUCKEN MOMENT.