Farewell, 2014!

This year, especially the latter part of the year, was nothing short of amazing for me. In fact, I still have a lot of posts waiting (Eep). I keep thinking that aside from my Japan trip, which was the highlight of my year, what else happened? Well, at the beginning of the year, we got to film a TV feature on what our 2014 fashion forecast was. I chopped off my hair by the end of March and don't remember much after that other than spending a LOT of time in the gym during summer, which resulted in a 20-lb weight loss which I'm currently maintaining. That also resulted in a decline in blog posts, even though it was this year that my dad finally caved in and got us a DSLR =)) I turned 23 this year and my grandmother gave me a laptop, which is really a BIG help with my studies and of course, blogging. My Chinese horoscope said this year would be a good year for LOVE for me, but since no one showed up, I guess they meant self-love! Haha! No really, this year, I got to be a YES woman--I got into things I normally wouldn't have like arnis (!!), and said yes to opportunities I normally wouldn't have volunteered for (research, ChE rep). I also got to meet & greet my favorite PBA team (lol), go on a spontaneous road trip with my blogger besties (post coming soon!) and go to the beach on a whim with my cousins. I got a lot of things crossed off my bucket list, and hope to cross off a few more this year (finally train and run that 5k, learn to drive and to walk in heels, to name a few).
2014 was so good to me, I can't help but look forward to 2015 being all the better! Cheers!

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#MagandangHapon Day 9: Airports

Forever 21 romper and pants || F&F boots || brown leather jacket from my grandmother || bowler hat from Shibuya || photos by Bea Malveda

The day we left Japan was literally spent at the airport! I flew from Japan to Manila, then Manila to Davao. It was kind of weird and surreal to be waking up in chilly Japan then going to bed in warm Davao all in one day. I felt like I'd gone through too many events for one day, which just goes to show that A LOT can happen in a day. I'd initially planned wearing something different but because I'd overslept (we had a REALLY early morning wake-up call time), I decided to just go with a monochrome outfit and wear the bulkier items (leather jacket, boots) and items I couldn't pack (hat). I think I ended up looking very fasyon that even Migz commented that I was too dressed up for the flight home. LOL. Amazing (and funny) how a monochrome outfit can do wonders in adding a dash of sophistication, even when you're poorly prepared!

And this is the last of my Japan posts. :( / :)

Thank you so much to the Japanese government and tax payers for the opportunity! I really loved Japan and I miss it so much. Hope I can return in 2015!!

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#MagandangHapon Day 8: Robots, Tokyo Tower and Pokemon

I promised myself that I won't have any more Japan posts by the time 2015 rolls in so here's the second to the last day we spent in Japan! The day started off early as usual, as we'd be traveling back to Tokyo from Chiba. There was a typhoon reportedly coming so we had to leave earlier than usual and take a longer route. However, thanks to Akiko-san and Endo-san's amazing planning powers, we actually got to Tokyo earlier than scheduled, and had to wait a good 30 minutes before the National Museum of Emerging Science and Technology (or Miraikan) opened.

A Different Perspective

Confession: on the days leading up to Christmas, I couldn't feel the holiday spirit at at all. I even had an elaborate entry prepared but didn't post because I didn't want to ruin Christmas for you. I didn't know why I was feeling that way--was it because I've grown older? or because I was too focused on the now (it was exam week then)? or because I was just so used to the way my family and I celebrated Christmas that I already knew what to expect and got sick of it? Or maybe because I thought I wasn't gonna be having the Christmas I was used to with all the new clothes and gifts (parang bata lang)? Irregardless, the past few days after Christmas have opened my eyes and reminded me what Christmas (and the holiday season) is truly about. Sure, we all have been told that it's a celebration for the man who gave his life on the cross to save us from sin but I've learned that how we live the way that honors His sacrifice is also important, and that includes being grateful--being grateful for the littlest but most important things that we take for granted like our family and health.

Shop in Spotlight: UKMilly

I'm all for clothes that are affordable yet stylish. I also advocate investing in clothes that can serve different purposes and functions, especially when it comes to gowns which we seldom wear. After all, we have to get the best bang for our buck. Since it's the holiday season, I'm sure a lot of us had/ still have a lot of gatherings to attend to--whether it be family or high school reunions or even weddings--some of which could call for formal wear. 

#MagandangHapon Day 7: Farewell

We had only been with our host families for about a day so you would expect little attachment should've been made, but no. They gave us something we rarely ever see in the world right now, and that's kindness. True, pure kindness. They let us into their homes without knowing anything about us and trusted us, fed us, entertained us, got to know us, taught us and just basically treated us as their own. Even though we speak different languages, that resonated so much that I and my fellow JENESYSts were moved to tears at the farewell party.

OASAP Christmas Giveaway (Open Internationally)

I have A LOT to be thankful for this year and I count OASAP as one of those blessings. They've been SO generous to me (and you!) by offering to sponsor giveaways for my blog every now and then. :) Christmas is a time for sharing and giving back and I want to share this blessing to you! For those who joined my previous giveaway and weren't so lucky, here's another chance for you to win! 

Abreeza Fashion Forum: Yosi Samra Holiday Collection

When I found out that this month's Abreeza Fashion Forum was for Yosi Samra, I said yes immediately! First of all, I've heard so many raves about the brand and second, it was about shoes, and a girl can never have too many shoes. During the event, we learned more about the brand, as well as got a sneak peek at their holiday collection. :)

Weekender

Weekends (or whatever's left of it anyway) are sacred to me because that's the only time I get to rest. I have 6 school days and a bulk of my time goes to school work, and working to achieve my fitness goals (I take a really long time to work out, just ask my trainer). I go home late to avoid the traffic then I "study" some more (I do most of my studying in school, during my 2-hour breaks) then go to bed at around 11 pm at most. I do this to have enough energy so I won't fall asleep in class or get tempted to skip my workout.

#MagandangHapon Day 6: A Day with the Horiguchis

In my humble opinion, the highlight of the JENESYS programme is the home stay program. The delegates get to experience living with a real Japanese family in order to truly and fully get a taste of what Japanese life is like.

#MagandangHapon Day 5: A Visit to Josai University and Old Town Otaki

Ohayo, and happy December first! Can't believe it's the first day of the LAST month of the year and I'm finally halfway through my Japan posts. I should be though; my cousin and best friend left for Japan today as delegates of another JENESYS Mass Media batch. Shame that we didn't get to go together! Had I known I could have deferred my slot to the December batch, I would've so we could go together. But then again, I wouldn't have experienced this and met the people of Group A.