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:

Look # 1. Edgy Kate Middleton

Look # 2. Winter Fairy

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. 

Pins and needles, nice to know you

A plan 10 years in the making finally materialized this day. Instead of ink, it's a purdy little sparkly gem implanted right smack dab in the middle of my midsection. I'm in love.

#NovemberPAIN #ShitJustGotReal 

I reckoned an observation period would make perfect sense before publishing an entry about my belly button piercing. Trust me honey, I've turned the worldwideweb inside out, upside down for any information I could extract about getting a belly button piercing in Manila. Statistic turnout isn't exactly helpful -- whether it's about where to get it done, or the type of jewellery you can wear immediately after. Consider this an honest, unadulterated opinion on this subject matter and I won't give you a statement I have not personally experienced.

Pre piercing points to ponder. 

1. Listen to yourself. Don't go about asking your friends if you should get a belly button piercing, it's your body, not theirs. Chances are, you can never solicit a collective, favorable advice. It took me roughly 10 years to make up my mind and quite frankly you can't grow balls over night! Having overly conservative parents is another issue I don't want to touch.

2. Are you in in a good state both mentally and physically? If it took you more than 5 seconds to answer that, then maybe you shouldn't. If you just hit a rough patch or simply preparing for one-time beach getaway, maybe it's too sudden a decision to be making. You may want to reconsider, it's not your head doing the talking, it's spontaneity. Remember, the jewellery you can take out but not for the first 6 MONTHS at least and risk of scar formation is relatively high even after the piercing closes.

3. Piercing prejudice. So what's it gonna be, slut or saint? They say everything comes with a price, I say piercing comes with bad prejudice, and so do tattoos! I know I know, we couldn't care less, but expect to hear some side comments about your piercing (should you decide to have one). You should be mentally and emotionally ready to deflect such nonsense. (i.e. bellybutton piercing is the tramp stamp of tattoos. I know, right?)

4. It's a long term commitment with petty sacrifices here and there-- and I'm not talkin' about your boyfriend since high school. The belly button area is sensitive (and I mean life and death-kinda sensitive) and the piercing takes forever to heal. If you have the patience follow the precise aftercare procedure, then by all means! I'm warning you, it ain't for the lazy daisy!

Still convinced you should get one? Read along then!

Piercing Pandemonium 

This is my first real piercing experience (Thanks mom, for getting my ears pierced at age 0!) so there is no other way than to have it professionally done. I went to P&P in Makati, which is a well-know establishment for tattoo and body art; and is allegedly the go-to place for celebrities. My first concern was the design of the jewellery because I don't want to get the typical silver stud and was aiming for one with a gem stone. P&P has a really good selection and I was able to get a gem encrusted one!

The piercing process

Stop saying you want it and set a damn date! Setting a deadline or appointment is the first step.

1. It is normal for your stomach to meet more butterflies once you get to THE place. Your palms will get sweaty.. knees weak arms are heavy there's v--- okay I'm getting ahead of myself. My anxiety momentarily faded when I finally had to choose the jewellery. So many cute jewels to choose from BUT your piercer will only allow you to get a simple curved barbell type with stud because it is the safest to put on while the piercing heals. (Those dangly bellybutton rings can wait.)

2. 60% of your conscience will tell you to walk away, but the remaining 40% should overpower. I'm telling you, I was standing outside P&P for about 10mins, demanding my best friend for a pep talk. I just did it anyway. (not so save face, mind you)

3. You will be in an uncomfortable spot for a good 10 minutes. I was expecting a contraption similar to that of an electronic dental chair which should recline me to a sleeping position, instead, there was only a black office chair and a makeshift divider separating me from the other clients. Lying on your back would have been the ideal for the client --  but definitely not for the piercer. I felt uneasy seated down and was advised to just stand up to hasten the piercing process, which I gladly obliged to. The piercer started disinfecting the disposable needle, clamp and the jewellery. Ready for what's coming? Okay!

4. I finally lifted the hem of my top and the piercer started marking my midsection. A clamp was used to gather the skin and hold it in place which felt like a tight pinch. I finally felt the needle puncturing the entry point then I felt the needle going out the same direction. My skin did not break the first puncture so it went in again then BAM! It was over.

Pain meter? It felt a lot less painful than my overall pain expectation and it was over before I even knew it!

Post-piercing 

The piercer told me it will be more painful after. True to his words, my piercing started feeling tingly shortly after. Expect sporadic surges of sharp pains every time the piercing rubs against the shirt. I wore a pair of denim shorts which made sitting down really painful even if my shorts fall below my hips.

First 6 hours - I felt sharp pains (in and around my piercing) with movement and felt most comfortable standing up.

First night - I tend to sleep on my stomach a lot so I barely slept the first night because I was very conscious of my sleeping position. The weight of the duvet/comforter caused pain so I had to use a light blanket instead. There is no other sleeping position but sleeping on your back.

The next day - Nothing. It felt perfectly normal as if I never had one (piercing).

First 48 hours - On the 2nd night I accidentally rubbed my duvet against my stomach so it stung for a few seconds.

The next day - My entire midsection felt sore -- as in post ab-workout sore which lasted for the entire day.

First week - The piercing only hurt whenever it would rub against clothing or my company ID, in my case.

First 2 weeks - Expect the formation of "crusts" around the upper barbel. This is perfectly normal and indicates that the piercing is healing.

Aftercare

I cannot further emphasise how critical after care procedure is for bellybutton piercings (or for any other piercing). I immediately showered after I got home but refrained from using soap because the piercing is still fresh. The next day I started cleaning my piercing with warm salt solution every 12 hours by inverting the cup of salt solution on to my piercing (done by lying on your back, of course). Also, avoid any contact by all means - and this includes touching! NEVER touch your piercing, especially near the entry/exit hole.

And if you like it then you shoulda put a riiing on it!

Sequined-collar job

Stowing away my sequined-collar collar wardrobe as I take on a new responsibility in a corporate Non-Government Organization. A far cry from my previous Corporate-Multinational experience, I'm sure this 360 degree-change in environment will do me good. I did not anticipate my unemployment days to be cut short, lasting only 5 full days as I start with my new job tomorrow. The greatest part of it all is that I get to have a paid month-long dry run to see if this is where I want my career to head..and of course, for them to see if I'm cut for the job. If everything turns out well, I'll be regularized by October, otherwise, you know the drill. And did I mention my office is roughly 10kms away from home? Oh you bet 'cha!

Walking on sunshine

The past few weeks have been anything but. My long standing battle with colds is still quite pressing and to make matters worse, I had to endure a few days with a bloody nose. Not the most convenient when you’re out and about. I was forced to tag along a family lunch in Alabang on Laguna Day Holiday because my dad operates our house ala Army Rangers, No Man Behind; specially the casualty. I was forced to buy myself mochi ice cream for dessert which served as a makeshift ice bag (whilst ‘twas thawing) to cease the bleeding. Two for the price of one.

On the abovementioned Holiday, I patiently watched my mother and sisters shopped for shoes while I literally stayed on one corner, bleeding. If there’s anything I got from a very simple childhood rearing by my folks, it’s to never compromise quality over quantity; which does not out rightly suggest go buy expensive, by the way. I have been taking a detour around Rustan’s to avoid the display rack housing this pair. I’ve done so successfully for the past few months until recently. I walked out of the store in them. END OF STORY.

Then there’s always work to whine about. I was never really the complaining type (Yes, people change). A key strength noticed by our Big Boss who I happen to be directly reporting to. Brownie points. I recently got on board the monotonous-work wave, aftermath of which is slacking off. I got a bitch slap of reality: maintain your best despite a dwindling motivation, keep it professional. I still think I have a spankin’ job, even with three full months spent in the office and not a single business travel. If there’s anything I miss, it’s sitting in a coffee shop or fancy restaurant in Bacolod to meet with haciendero clients, and really guapo hacienderos at that!  For the record, wholesome ang trabaho ko. 

Make Yourself

For the first time in four months, I've finally encountered a heightened feeling of self worth. Apparently, my prolonged state of idleness left me lackadaisical for quite some time. It's one of those turning points we get to experience once in a while. This time though, it was a positive paradigm shift.

I was lost, but now I have found. Forgive me for incessantly quoting Brandon Boyd in the middle of my entries. It seems the guy has the perfect say for different aspects in my life. What can I say? His writing prowess is indomitable. I get that strong urge to blog after getting my Incubus fix. Getting back.. I remember being susceptible to depression during my extended vacation, as I’d like to call it. Truth is I just couldn’t find a job that could make use of my Agriculture + radio broadcasting background at the same time, a job that I myself, would personally like to engage in. It’s two-way, you see. My job offer couldn’t have come at a better timing. I was starting to feel world weary and felt that dire need to belong and be productive. My first three weeks at the office was quite enthralling. The first week was marked by adjustments and getting-used-to’s. I was very fortunate to have spent an entire week in Cebu and meet the rest of people I’ll be working with during my second week on the job. This week was a more serious one. I attended orientations and meetings. I also got hold of my new phone and laptop and OH! I finally got to move in my cubicle J It’s still a work in progress but I was able to bring in some office essentials like a mini drawer, organizer and school supplies. I like to stick to all things pink and girly; office-appropriate frivolity as I’d like to call it.

Here’s a clearer shot. That's not an ash tray you're seeing, it's a coaster. Table rings = pet peeve. 

My coin purse hunt has finally came to a halt!

My favorite find from Topshop Cebu!

It's payday [long] weekend :) Enjoy! 

Getting There

This serves as a wake up call for me who is still stuck in the Technical Analysis part of my manuscript. Two more months before April 23 and I still have about 7 weeks to keep my act together. I'm bracing myself for sleepless nights and dress-down days but what the hell. Eternal glory awaits! (Harry Potter term, ring a bell?)

I really hate these internet breaks I'm taking too often but that somehow keeps me alive and saves me from the monotony of my work. How can I not get distracted? Pretty sights here and there.

My mom would always catch me wandering in cyberspace in search of pretty clothes. I just can't help it, they fuel me. While we're at it, here's another motivation for me:

I finally got to try on my future/possible graduation dress *fingers crossed*. It's from a local online brand that has consigned items with Crossings Department Store. Gotta love the classy wallpaper in the dressing room!

You're probably wondering how I still have the time to blog, well simple : I need a breather from all this scientific writing. I consider blogging as a mind exercise. Speaking of which, I'm seriously considering that 30 DAY CHALLENGE circulating around blogs so readers and passers-by can get to know about me more. It doesn't necessarily need to be done everyday right? Or does it? What do you think? Plus I want to chronicle all the deets in case I don't make it out of college alive! Kidding! Praying and keeping my hopes up :) No way I'm succumbing to this manuscript! I am more fueled than ever.

Plans after college you ask? I would love to go back to school, but not before I land a job. I'd love to try my luck as a flight attendant. My classmates think I'm cut for that (if only they know about my pressing fear of long haul flights and heart wrenching turbulence!). I'd be needing a job after college since I wouldn't want to depend much on my parents. It's about time I give something back to my family. Going back to school is another goal to increase my competence in the world out there. I'm not looking into a Masteral degree but more on something related to communication whether spoken or written, or maybe both.

But before I get ahead of myself, I have a manuscript to write and study. No time to waste. No time to waste. Last 7 hell weeks are sure going to be worth it!