The Countdown Begins

Before bravely heading into the new year with all new hopes, wishes, and experiences and events to look forward to, let us not forget to take time to look back, remember, and be thankful for the significant events and moments of this past year. A good friend of mine from High School inspired me to do this (and for that, thank you so much, Guilly!). Isn't it inspiring how people remember to look back and give thanks? And you know what they say, in order to receive we must first learn to say thank you. Annie (Malin Akerman) in Happythankyoumoreplease put it perfectly: "Everyone is looking for love. Everyone is looking for happiness. The secret is to say thank you."

So before we open up to all the possibilities and blessings that 2012 will bring, let's say thank you first for those brought by 2011. Here goes mine.

Thank you for..

A great end to our term as officers of our school organization.
At the end of the academic year, TeamComm ranked top 14 out of 38 after the 2nd org accreditation. But that was just the icing on the cake: our whole term as officers was a very fun, fulfilling, and inspiring one. More than the promising rank we earned, I think we were successful as well in bringing back the "familial" bond in the team.

The best getaway with the best company ever. And it wasn't even summer yet!
The uber unforgettable trip to Anawangin with our childhood and village friends. Spent two days and one night in an island without electricity and slept in tents. It was a great time to bond and just have fun! We all wished we could stay longer, but there are more trips to look forward to in the coming year.

Thesis. 
I feel very blessed to have been able to work with and become friends with such an amazing, inspiring group of young deaf students for our thesis documentary. The experience changed our lives and defied our limits.

My own summer of love.
April 2011 was my very own summer of love because I saw 2 of my favorite bands perform live that month. I can not thank God and the Universe enough for giving me the chance to see The Script Live in Manila and then Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane Tour 2 weeks later.. and my friends and brother for coming with me. Those concerts changed my life forever, I kid you not.

2012 looks like another very promising year for music, concerts, and shows. And for that I can't wait. Cheers to another summer--and a whole year--of love!

The chance to get published and broadcasted.
Two more reasons April 2011 was my summer of love: I started writing (as a contributor) for K-Zone Philippines and got published for the first time in my life immediately a couple of months later, and joined a workshop at a radio station and became a student DJ for almost about 6 months. Met really inspiring and influential people and got the chance to go on air with the DJs! Yay!

I continue to write for K-Zone but had to end my stint as a student DJ since I graduated and got a full time job. But there is no doubt these 2 experiences influenced me and will continue to in the coming years. Wait for it. Watch out for me ;)

Witnessing DLSU's Centennial Celebration.
Not all students get the chance to witness such a grandiose event for and by their school. That long crazy green and white day, and all the celebrations before and after it, made me proud to be green even more.

Turning 20 and graduating!
This year I turned 20 and, although there wasn't really any grand celebration, I was glad and pretty excited to start another decade--or should I say chapter--in my life, surrounded by amazing family and friends.

Soon after turning the big 2-0, I put on my toga and marched with my friends and classmates down PICC and up that stage to receive our diplomas. It was literally an exhilirating experience. Nothing like it.

My sister's happily ever after.
They got married in the States, right after my graduation. But we did not miss it, no! We witnessed my sister and my now brother-in-law Collin exchange their vows in front of our family who lived in the States as well, via Skype. Technology is a wonderful thing. Now I am very happy to announce that they are expecting a baby girl mid-next year and we are all really excited for the little munchkin to arrive!

Mom and dad's 30th wedding anniversary and better health.
Early this month my parents celebrated their pearl wedding anniversary. To celebrate this, my brother and I prepared a little surprise for them at home which they loved, of course. Haha. I really look up to my parents and admire them for staying strong together and individually after all the challenges.

Finding a job, learning, and making new friends. 
My first day at work was in the last week of November. Getting hired so quickly was unexpected but I embraced the opportunity and am keeping an open mind and learning as much as I can now that I am in the organization.  

Continuing friendships.
Angels on earth.

Thank you, 2011, for all these and everything in between. Heads up, 2012, you better be good! :)

What's on your thank you list?

Wishing you all the best in the new year.

Let the countdown begin! Cheers,

Nikki xx

New Hopes for the New Year

It seems like the Holidays just get shorter year after year. Christmas this year went by so quickly, and to put it bluntly there really was nothing special about it except that it was my first as a working, earning girl. So I had a little extra to get special gifts for my loved ones. Other than that, it was just like any regular weekend.

Still, no matter how uninspired the recent holidays has left me, I have high hopes for the new year. I hope and pray that 2012 will be a great year of adventure and new, exciting experiences and that it will bring me more courage and energy to follow my heart and do what I really want to do, to make my dreams come true, one at a time. I hope as well to find fulfillment where I did not before and for the year to just generally be less boring than the previous. I look forward to learning new things, seeing new places, meeting new people, and finding myself, as cheesy as it may sound. And that the previous year's disappointments will not happen again and there will be less in the new year. 

Generally speaking, in 2012 I look forward to growing up but not losing my childlike thirst for life and my passions. I look forward to doing, acting, and making more things happen on my own.

To learn to play the guitar, travel, get a tattoo, sing again, act, see more great bands and shows live, and so much more.. Cheers to 2012!

What are your hopes, wishes and resolutions for the new year?

x Nikki

Life: Chapter II

Call me cheesy but I find more and more reasons to believe in serendipity and fate everyday. All the right things at exactly the right time has always been one of the few but very significant mottos or mantra-of-sorts that I believe so strongly in, along with everything happens for a reason, and everything will fall into place. 

Just very recently I found myself at a crossroads, caught in a situation where I had to make a decision that would undoubtedly affect my graduate life.. my plans and my dreams. I'm normally and usually rather indecisive but I could always find ways to cope. This particular time and situation, however, was really something else. I've just always had an idea of, and a lot of pegs for what I want to do and how I want my life to be. And after graduation it felt like, "okay, time to follow my heart and make my dreams come true!" So that's what I did. I followed my heart and did what I felt was right, what I felt I needed to do in line with my vision and goals. But as you may know, things don't always work out the way you would like or planned them to. Nevertheless, they still have a way of working out and although it may be difficult to understand or see at first, it's usually better than you expect. (It is the natural way, after all). This is what happened to me these past couple of weeks. I was hesitant to take an opportunity that had opened up for me because it was not exactly in line with what I had planned and imagined myself doing but I saw the potential and good side to it eventually and decided to go for it. I grabbed said opportunity! and after I did, I was moved and overwhelmed by how it all seemed to work out and fall into place. I asked God and the Universe for a sign, so I know I made the right decision, and signs they gave me, I believe. After accepting the opportunity, still a little unsure at first nevertheless willing and keeping an open mind and positive disposition, all signs of affirmation came through the people I love and care about and those whose opinions I value, through books and songs. 

So you see, I really do believe all the right things will come at the right time and that everything naturally falls into place. The key is to never lose sight of your values, goals and dreams and pursue them, but keep an open mind and go with the flow as much as you possibly can. As long as you do this and stay positive about it all, you will arrive at your destination eventually. Just believe. 

On another note, my grandfather and uncle just moved in to their new apartment this past week. I woke up this morning thinking of their old house.. it's hard to imagine it empty and being torn down soon and turned into commercial space. Just, wow. But I'm looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. I'm so excited to assume my role as the adult granddaughter and take care of my family and make new memories in their new house with these new experiences. 

Have a lovely weekend!

x Nikki

Think Pink

Exactly a year ago today, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors pronounced the mass they found in her right breast malignant after they extracted it and then performed tests to find out if it was harmful or not. The operation was done instead of the usual biopsy, in which only a tiny part of the mass, a sample if you may, would be taken through an injection or something to be checked and tested, at the insistence of my mom’s attending physician. It was better to remove the whole of it immediately than leave it inside my mom’s body longer after all. The mass was big according to the doctors and my brother who was at the hospital on the day of mom’s operation; I had to be in school. Thankfully though, the cancer was still at an early stage when they found it.

That first operation was followed by another more serious one. Exactly 2 days after being diagnosed, my mom underwent a mastectomy; in simpler terms, her whole right breast was removed. It was replaced with an implant of sorts so that it wasn’t left flat. The doctors highly encouraged the operation since it was the best way to prevent any recurrences of the cancer. It was a difficult decision but it had to be made. My mom was understandably torn about it at first; it was an important part of her womanhood that was taken away from her, if you know what I mean. But she learned to accept it eventually and never felt bad about it anymore since then. It also helped that she met other breast cancer survivors who willingly helped her cope and welcomed her to their support groups.

We stayed in the hospital with her for about a week after the 2 operations. She was allowed to go home earlier than expected as the doctors observed she was recovering quickly, but she was advised and scheduled to take chemotherapy, but only a few sessions of it since her cancer was still at an early stage. It was another difficult decision that had to be made. We all understood what would happen if mom underwent chemo. And when she did, things happened as expected. She started wearing a wig, which was lent to her by her cousin who is also a breast cancer survivor. And she started dreading every chemo session. Let me tell you, what they show in the movies is very true. My mom came out of every chemo session feeling sick, weak and tired. At home she would just stay in and sleep almost the whole day for 2-3 consecutive days. It was never easy, but we took care of her of course. All for and out of love. The last thing we wanted was for her to feel any worse.  

Halfway through her chemo, she was advised to take radiation sessions as well. And then when she was done with those, she had to start taking shots of Herceptin, an antibiotic that helps stop the development of cancer cells.  

Now my mom’s all better. Her hair’s still shorter than usual but long enough that she stopped wearing a wig. It looks like she had a pixie cut like Emma Watson haha I actually keep telling her it’s nice J And she has about 3-4 shots of Herceptin left to take, if I’m not mistaken, whichis not as “heavy” as chemotherapy, thankfully. As soon as she finishes taking those last shots, she’s done with medications. All she has to do is get even better and stay healthy. And we’re doing it with her! Since my dad had a stroke about 7 years ago, we started lessening the salt and artificial flavorings and stuff in our food. Now, since my mom’s bout with cancer, the food at home just turned healthier. We always have fruits on the table now and we drink tea and organic supplements like barley extract and wheatgrass juice. But we’re not complaining. We’re just happy she’s better and healthier. Both my parents have been through serious health issues, but they’re both here and stronger now and I feel very blessed because of that. 

    

What we went through with my mom was an eye-opener for me. Now I find myself wanting to help out in cancer support groups, especially those for breast cancer patients and survivors (hence, the tite “Think Pink”), and support the causes related to it, especially awareness and finding a cure.  

Consider this post as my own stand and support for awareness and finding a cure against cancer.

Many lives have been lost to it and more people are being diagnosed and fighting it nowadays. No one deserves to get cancer and suffer from it. It’s a very serious disease and one of the most difficult to deal with. And it’s not easy on the pocket either. Let’s all pray that a cure will be found soon and that those who are fighting it now may never lose hope and win against it.

Until then, please remember that there are steps we can take to help prevent it. Eat healthy, exercise regularly or as much as you can, and take vitamins and medicines you may need, especially if you have a history of the disease in the family. Awareness is your friend! If you find any symptoms, have yourself checked as soon as possible. Early detection is the best way to beat it.

xx Nikki    

Heirlooms

My grandfather and uncle are moving out of their old house, the same house where my mom and her siblings grew up, and into a smaller apartment in the village. Since my grandmother passed away, the old house has been too big for the 2 of them and difficult to manage, even with a helper. It has been, as of last Wednesday, November 2, exactly 3 years since my grandmother passed, so it seems just about time to "move on."

This afternoon my brother and I went over there to help Papa, our grandfather, sort out and pack up over 50 years worth of memories in the house. Our aunt, my mom's youngest sister, was there to help as well. We picked out our favorites from and split their rather large collection of china; heirlooms which Mama, our grandmother herself passed down to my mom and aunt long ago. Papa also gave us some of their old furniture, interior decorations, and other mementos he and Mama got from the many places they traveled to back in the day. There's this one 4-piece painting of sorts of the seasons that hung on the wall in their living room, right above their couch. I've always liked it and enjoyed looking at it whenever I'd visit or stay with my grandparents as a little girl. So did my parents apparently. Now we can hang it on our own wall as Papa willingly gave it to me when I asked if we could have it for our house. He also told me how they got it from Vietnam! My aunt got this old table from the living room which, until today, I did not know was actually an old sewing machine!! Imagine my surprise haha! And my brother got some of Mama and Papa's old lighters, matches and ash trays. He was also actually trying to ask for this big old figurine of Confucius, for his room I guess haha, but Papa did not want to give it away since it was a wedding gift to him and Mama. For a split second, though, I think he was willing to think about giving it away. Papa's generous and sweet like that haha. But of course my brother, understanding its sentimental value, urged him to keep the figurine for his new home. We also got some of their old cassette tapes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, The Conniffs, and the like. My brother and I are kind of suckers for old, vintage stuff like that.

We are far from finished packing; there's still a lot left to box up and move tomorrow (and well into the weekend, probably), including Mama's clothes. But at least we got started already. I think everyone in the family had been thinking about all this and worrying about where to start this past month or two. I mean moving out isn't exactly easy, especially if you've lived in the same house for over 50 years. How could you just box everything up and leave, right? Naturally, there were moments while we were packing up when Papa would turn reminiscent. He'd remember where, when and why they got whatever it was we were holding. Then he'd tell us about letting go and how we just need to do it sometimes. It was his way of coping with all this, I guess. Seeing him like that was not my favorite part of the day. But, like I told him, at least he doesn't have to let go of it all completely. He'll still see these things when he comes to visit our house or my aunt's.. And even without them, he'll always have memories of the good old days with Mama. He can always just look back and remember how he and his family had been blessed with and through such a phenomenal woman. Then he can look forward to making new good old days with us! :)

I never imagined we would have to do this, pack up Mama and Papa's old house and sell it to someone who's turning it into a business, a restaurant or something. A few times over the years we'd ask what would happen to it when we grow up but we never really talked about it because it was unthinkable. I guess at the back of our heads we just thought this house was always going to be there and be ours.

Packing up today was not easy both physically and emotionally. But it's nice to receive heirlooms, to have something of your family's to keep for years, especially your favorites. And it's nice to know that when things change, when we grow up and move on, we don't have to completely let go of everything. We'll always have these things and our family to help us look back at the good old days and look forward to more. That cliche' is very true.

Puppy Love

 

One of the few photos from a little experiment/photoshoot I did with a couple of girl friends. That's me with Blair, our shih-tzu, hence the title: Puppy Love :) 

Must Love Dogs

In our house we like to get into the Christmas spirit early. And so do our dogs! The tree was put up just this morning. Blair, the younger of our 2 shih-tzus, being her ever so sneaky and mischievous self stole one of the red ribbons that were supposed to be hung on the tree. We figured she really liked the ribbon, so we put it in her hair. It suits her, doesn't it? Haha!

We've always had pet dogs at home so my siblings and I have grown up to be such big lovers of the animals. Right now, as mentioned, we have 2 shih-tzus. This little one with a ribbon in her hair is, as mentioned as well, Blair. Our other dog goes by the name Chuckie. He's a lot older than Blair. Earlier this month I was talking to ate Eden, our help, about how Chuckie had been around for all 3 of my graduations: Elementary, High School and now, just recently, College; that's how old he is. Nevertheless he remains to be a very healthy dog and we treat him like he was still a puppy. This is him in what I like to call his "Coverboy" shot haha!

Both Chuck and Blair (see what we did there haha) are very playful and mischievous. Each of them has his/her own little "tricks." But we've noticed Chuckie has been acting a little more mature since Blair came. He is the older dog, after all haha. I like to think it's because he's trying to set a good example for Blair. 

These 2 are spoiled I tell you! They sleep on our beds and all. To be honest, at home we treat them like they were humans more than dogs: we talk to them and they even watch TV with us sometimes. A day in the life of my family is not complete without a little show from these 2! So expect more posts about them here on my blog.      

xxx Nikki    

Growing Up

The only thing constant in life is change. I've been reminded so often of this proverb and have proven it for myself so many times. At this very point in my life so many changes are happening all at the same time, like the universe is deliberately telling me to grow up.

First, graduation and the slew of new that comes with it. Now that I'm out of school I'm looking for a job, while slowly learning to be more independent, just as I have to. Although I know I have a great support system backing me up while I start this whole "new chapter of my life" I feel and I know that what happens next and where I'll be in 5 years is entirely up to me. And I plan to make it good. Earlier this week I was thinking about possible work opportunities and trying to see where I think I fit best. Then I realized what would be best is if I kept my options open and considered all opportunities. I believe things have a way of working out and falling into place in the end after all. That's optimistic, idealistic me for ya haha! Pretty soon, when I find and land that job I'll be managing my own time and resources. With graduation as well comes the reality of not being able to see your friends as often as you used to. Some friends leave the country and some move out of their old dorms or condominiums where we used to hangout at a lot. It's all very sentimental.    

    

Next, my sister's recent marriage was the first in our immediate family, and now a baby--who would be my parents' first grandchild and me and my brother's first niece or nephew--is on the way! There hasn't been a baby in the family for a very long time, so all of this is really pretty special and, for lack of a better word, "life changing" for all of us. To add to that, now that my sister is starting her new life as well, I'm taking full responsibility of being the adult daughter after her who helps the parents. And as I've mentioned in my previous post, I'm in charge of organizing their Manila wedding next year. I'm so excited to see them all and meet my new baby niece or nephew! 

Third, since my grandmother passed away almost 2 years ago, their house has been too big for my grandfather and uncle. They've been looking for a new place this past couple of years and they've found one just recently which they will be moving into early next month. It's sad because their house is, not quite an ancestral home but it's where my mom and her siblings grew up, and so did we! We used to have parties there at Christmas and go into the big pantry to get ice candy whenever we'd visit our grandparents. The house has been ours for so long, so many things happened and so many memories made in it, it's just not easy at all to give it to someone else. But it's better than leaving the house unmaintained or something like it. If only it was easier for my mom or her siblings or us grandchildren to take the responsibility of managing and keeping the house. We'd do it in a heartbeat! We can't be the young children who go to their house to get candy, play and get gifts from Santa at Christmas anymore. Now we'll be the mature young adults who go to check on our grandfather and uncle. It's our turn to give them gifts (and candy haha). 

Truth be told, I'm actually pretty excited about all this. Or I think anxious is a better word for it. It's all very sentimental and I can't help but get emotional sometimes when I think about it. But we'll move on and settle into everything eventually.

x Nikki    

Catching Up 10/21/11

It was a good day. The evening was spent catching up with really good friends whom I've missed so terribly. After returning our togas, claiming pictures from graduation and requesting for transcripts, Pre and I met up with Micah to attend and support TeamComm's fund raiser, a screening of the film Senior Year. TeamComm is the official professional (meaning academic) organization for Communication Majors like us. Pre, Micah and I were all part of the org's executive board last year so we were more than happy and pretty excited to attend the event and support our friends, the organizers and current officers. (It was so surreal to see them doing the things we used to do when we were still officers, too. It was also inspiring in a way.)

Organizers and guests pose with the cast of the film.

Micah, Pre and I.

The film was great. I enjoyed watching it and I highly recommend you go see it too whenever you get the chance.

We had dinner in McDonald's after the screening. I can't tell you how nice it was to see our orgmates' lovely faces and talk and laugh with them again. It felt like home.♥

While in McDonald's I also got to meet up with a couple of my old pals, my good friends from High School, Sam and Berna. Berna goes to La Salle too so we used to run into each other in the corridors and sit for a quick chat on a bench in school when we had time. Sam, on the other hand, goes to UP Manila. We used to get together for lunch and stuff quite often until school got in the way and we sort of lost touch a little for a while. Both of them I haven't seen and sat down with for a good, long conversation in so long. So it was really nice that we got to talk, like old times, in McDonald's as well, even for a bit. Now we're already making plans for another night out...at the theatre! That's something we always do, watch plays haha!

Sam and Nikki. Berna took this! Photo with her to follow :)

On the way home I was thinking about how good it felt to finally be able to catch up with these friends of mine. I felt like such a lousy friend for not being able to get together and catch up with them more often in the last couple of years while I was in school. Catching up with them was one of the best feelings in the world! Like when you finally get some sun at the beach after not having been there for so long. I realized that now that I'm done with school and I have all the free time in the world until I find a job is the best time to catch up with my friends, especially those I kind of or might have lost touch with. And then I'll be better at keeping in touch with them! :)

You keep in touch, too!

x Nikki

Celebrate Good Times

Last Saturday, October 15 2011, was a very auspicious day for our family, as my aunt put it. It definitely was. And also a very emotional one for my parents, especially my mom...here's why.

My graduation was in the morning. It was the 162nd Commencement Exercises of our school and we were the 2nd batch of students to graduate during its centennial year. There were over a thousand of us. Graduation is probably the most awaited, most counted down day in every students' life after I don't know, prom maybe? haha! So I think it goes without saying that this particular one, our College graduation ceremony, was extra special and the most significant one of all (after the ones we had in pre-school, grade school and high school) since it marked not just our completion of just another level in the educational system but of all 15 or so years of our lives spent in school, learning and honing our skills and talents, with our teachers and other mentors helping mold us into the better people we are now. It also marked the start of a completely new chapter in our lives, that of us as grown-ups, as mature young adults ready to conquer the world and make our mark in it. And what better way to celebrate both this end and new beginning than receiving our diploma and Bachelor's Degree in the presence of each other, our friends and family, most importantly our parents.        

After more than a month of waiting, it was finally our turn to march down the stairs of PICC and walk up on stage to receive our diplomas from La Salle's Brother President, in our togas, while Pomp and Circumstance was playing. It was a very very proud moment for all of us.

I know it's small but if you look closely that's me on the stage
receiving my diploma from La Salle's Brother President.

With the girls and Peds. Of course we get a photo together!
College wouldn't have been the same without these friends of mine. 

With my thesismates Bianca and Jikay. We made it!

AB-CAM!

Now that I think about it, I realize this whole thing was more emotional for me than I thought in the days leading to it or even while I was in PICC on the day itself. I had an amazing time in college! I can honestly say I learned some of life's more important lessons there and that I really saw and felt myself grow in the almost 4 years I spent there. I met a lot of really great people and experienced a lot of amazing things as well. When I look back and see my friends and all that, I can't help but think how blessed I had been all this time and how I wouldn't have had it any other way.

My parents were extra happy since I was the last child they had been sending to school in the last 3 to 4 years. Haha! This is their achievement more than it is mine, and I dedicate that diploma and degree to them. I don't think I have to get into detail for anyone to understand just how much they've done and helped me (and my siblings) get to where we are now, and how even after school they continue to motivate and inspire us. I would have loved to graduate with more than just a diploma for them, but seeing how happy and proud they are even without those extra stuff makes me happier and more content. And it just motivates me even more to do more to make them proud and provide for them just as they have provided for me.        

Drama aside, after the morning program in PICC, we celebrated over lunch. It was a very small and intimate party, with just family from both my mom and dad's sides and Via, a really good, close childhood friend of mine.

my two lolos :)

family from dad's side

and mom's side

and us :)

with Via. We practically grew up together!

I haven't had a chance to celebrate with friends yet. I couldn't celebrate on the evening of graduation day and stay up late because I had to get up early the following day to go to CamSur to watch and support the DLSU Dragonboat Team at the CamSur Dragonboat Fest. Wooohoo!! We took the earliest flight out of Manila so we could catch up on the last day of the competition. Besides that, though, there was one other reason I had to get up early the following day...

At 3 A.M. Manila time, my sister got married in the U.S. ♥ On their side of the world, in a small chapel on the mountains of Tennessee, it was October 15, 3 P.M. when she walked down the aisle. She was wearing a simple white dress with a red ribbon on the waist and a bouquet of red roses. Red and white was the theme of the wedding. Red is believed to be for good luck, a nod to the Korean roots of her fiance--now hubby! We couldn't be there for the wedding, but our relatives from Ohio and L.A., my dads' sisters, cousins and aunt, flew in to TN for it and our cousin Katrina stood in for me as Maid of Honor.

Although we couldn't be there physically, we surely weren't going to miss it for the world! Thank God for Skype! My uncle set up his phone and called us so that we were there as well to witness the whole ceremony. We got to talk to everyone right before it started, including my sister! We saw for ourselves how happy and giddy she was, just as our relatives who were there told us. You know how at weddings people say it's the bride's dream come true? Well now, after having seen my own sister as a bride, I think I believe that's true. And thank God for Skype, really. I mean, it was more than amazing that we got to witness her dream come true, thousands of miles away.

the blushing bride spoke to us before the ceremony.

I thought my mom was going to cry! But she didn't, she just got a little teary-eyed. I guess she's saving it for their wedding here in Manila next year. Yes, they're going to get married here, too! And I have been tasked to organize it, something I'm very excited about. My sister would never get married without us :)

I think I might cry with my mom at that wedding, too haha. I was so moved while watching Kim Kardashian's Fairy Tale Wedding just earlier this evening on E! I was almost going to cry. It got me thinking about my own sister's wedding here next year and got me more excited about it. I haven't met her husband in person yet, but I have had the chance to talk to him online quite a few times already and like the rest of my family I support my sister on this. He's a very good man, my sister is in good hands. While I still wish we all could have been at their wedding in Tennessee, I just can't wait to see them both next year!

In Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kris Jenner always says how happy she is that their family just keeps growing. I understand that now. Our own family is just starting to grow, I can't wait for what's going to happen next. I welcome my new brother-in-law and am looking forward to welcoming a little niece or nephew in the near future. This is all so exciting!

My uncle who was at the wedding sent us some beautiful photos.

Classic.

They say we all look alike haha

how fun is our family haha!

the wonderful, happy couple :) congratulations!!
They're going to have Asian-looking kids with Southern accents hihi

So that was our auspicious and emotional weekend. I hope yours wasn't pretty bad either. :)

Till the next story!

xx Nikki 

Pegs and Togas

Counting down the days till we march down PICC to Pomp and Circumstance; just 2 to go now! This past week has been busy with preparations and everything else needed to be done before "the big day." 

Yesterday, Wednesday, was the day we got our togas and attended Baccalaureate mass, other pre-grad activities and posed for our class pictures wearing them as well as rehearsed the general flow of the program for Saturday.

(photos from my friend Peter Geronimo):

we're the 2nd batch of Communication Arts centennial graduates

It was an eventful day. By the end of it everyone was exhausted from all the walking around school, moving from program to program, venue to venue. But I'd say getting our togas, wearing them and having our photos taken in them and being recognized for our academic and extra-curricular activities (no awards for me, though) and realizing how close we are to the big day and how all our hard work is finally paying off made it all worth it and fulfilling.  

Now the day before that, Tuesday, was the day I went dress and shoes hunting/shopping with my good friend, thesis mate, and fellow graduate Bianca. We spent almost the whole day walking around Makati looking for the perfect outfits for Saturday. I'm not a fashion blogger but allow me the occasional mention of my outfits here in my blog, too haha! 

I'm a fan of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge; I look up to her poise, style, and manners. I want to be like her when I grow up--no, not a princess necessarily, just a really well-mannered, poised young lady with a good head on her shoulders ;) I think it's very refreshing to see someone like her in the spotlight this day and age. And it's about time someone brought classic back. 

Anyway, so for the event of my graduation, Princess Catherine is my style inspiration! I was looking for a dress and a pair of shoes I think she might wear herself. Such peg is based on the photos I have seen of her in events and on write-ups about her "classic" style which I have read. At the end of Tuesday, I got a royal blue colored dress and simple, classic nude pumps. Two staples in the Duchess' wardrobe as well, it seems. 

That's all I'll say for now about that, let's save the details for another post about GRAD DAY! But can I just say, in true Kate fashion I re-used a dress, too! For yesterday, Wednesday's pre-grad activities, I used the same dress I wore at the Lasallian Excellence Awards night of the Council of Student Organizations last March ;)

pre-grad activities

LEA Night last March

Within the day we found out that only us from the College of Liberal Arts had those green "Graduate" sashes. It was very nice and thoughtful of the Dean and CLA heads to prepare them for us :)

TTFN!

xx Nikki