+ I was reading Ala Parades’ tumblr post, Let The Right One In, and this one word came to my mind as I finished off reading: Ahhh, VINDICATION. I mean, sure, Ala’s just another girl, and one can always say that this may not be the case for everyone, but it made me sigh in relief to know that hey, I’m not alone in wanting to feel needed. I’m not psycho, hooray! Admittedly though, (unlike Mae), I’m kind of the extreme version of that type of girl. The kind who, when in a relationship, lets the other person in too much too soon that she loses herself early in the process. Sure, I can take care of myself, I can easily adapt to whatever comes my way, and I have countless of dreams up my sleeve that I thought I can do without any help from anyone, more so from a potential boyfriend. But once in a relationship, I easily lose my grip on these things, carelessly let my guard down and just totally lose myself to the other person, which sucks, because when I start to realize that the other person does not really need me the same way, or that we’re not in the same page after all, then I start needing more, and well, everything’s just downhill from there.

I think I figured out what’s wrong in the equation. It’s not wrong to want to feel needed, or to expect your partner to need you in his life, or to lose yourself in him — those are, in fact, essential in relationships. I think what I missed out on is knowing/meeting/finding the right person to let in, the operative word being “right”, because letting one wrong person after another in is no good either.

+ I wish I have Ate Stef’s courage, sharing her breakup experience like that. I remember blogging something similar way back in 2007, and well, things like this amaze me. How easy it is to connect with people who share the same experience, and sometimes even with your 23-year old self. Break-ups may be ugly (I hate them, I don’t ever want to feel that sadness ever again) but, just as I blogged 3 years ago, I still believe that going through a break-up is one of the most (if not the most) liberating, life-altering experiences one can ever go through. It comes with the simple fact that when God allows something to end, it’s only because something else is bound to begin. And that’s kinda the part I love about break-ups. And whut, did I just use “love” and “break-up” all in one sentence?

+ My brother cooked his specialty Chicken Enchilada Sunday night and gee, as I munched on a plateful of that yummy stuff, I kept thinking, where did my brother learn to cook like that? Sure, he must have inherited his cooking instincts from my mother and my grandmother, who are awesome cooks by the way, but ohhh how I feel cheated! I mean, I’m the only girl among the siblings, and I seriously believe that I should be the rightful inheritor of any of their culinary skills, not my brother! I’m sometimes disappointed with the stagnancy of this life, I feel like I’m not getting anywhere! My friend Trisha, who’s in Sydney, used to just blog about random, girly, PMS-y stuff like I do, but now, her escapades to the culinary world are just WHOA. It’s awesome how her blog, Sugarlace.com in case you missed the link, has become a venue for some serious honest-to-goodness domestication. And I, meanwhile, am still blogging about nonsensical emo stuff. I am so envious. I have got to find something I can excel in. Maybe not cooking, but something. Anything!

1) Welcoming my beautiful nephew Robert Isaac to the family.

2) That he gets to inherit our Dad’s name, Robert, that even if he didn’t get to meet him anymore, a part of his Lolo lives in him.

3) How “Tita Riz” seems to just roll off the tongue, I can imagine little Isaac soon saying my name and tugging on my skirt. “Tita Riz, I want ice cream.” “Tita Riz, let’s go to the zoo.” “Tita Riz, I wanna play plants and zombiess!” (Just you wait, kid, your Tita Riz will spoil you like crazy. And well, I’ll leave the disciplining to your Mom, Dad and Lola, haha.)

4) That he’s got all of us wrapped around his cute little finger without knowing it. He cries and everyone in the room panics, figuring out what he needs. He sleeps and we all silently stare at him like lovestruck puppies. He blinks and we all go “awww” with tiny hearts in our eyes. It’s kuh-rayy-zee what babies can do, when they’re not even doing anything at all!

5) That I got to take their first family picture, and that I was able to preserve love in a photograph. Definitely one for keeps. <3

6) That I’ve witnessed (over again) with my own eyes this beautiful thing called motherly love, something we often fail to appreciate because mothers are always there anyway. I can still picture in my head the look in Ate Imy’s face as she admires her son, and the twinkle in my Mom’s eyes everytime she speaks of her grandson. Priceless.

7) Finally, I love days when, not expecting anything, something beautiful happens (or someone comes along) and your life is never the same. Such is this week in the Sanchez home. <3

And so I pray for a life that’s full of days like these. Dear Lord, that’s all I ask today.

Well this I had to do! Call it QLC or hormones or holiday fever, whatever — I woke up this morning with my eyes set on one goal: Pull out that box containing last year’s Christmas decorations from one of the kitchen cupboards, and put up this little Christmas tree. I know it’s not even Thanksgiving yet in the US, but I kinda feel that this Christmas season will pass by really quick and I just don’t want to miss out on it, is all.

So hi, it’s Christmas in Unit 507, come visit!

Truth is, I actually had fun doing this little activity of mine today. But I also have to admit.. I still think that Christmas comes with this unexplainable melancholy, no matter how I look at it. And if you’re in the mood for more confessions, I did shed a tear or two tonight, in the dark, once I switched on the twinkling lights and I was left with my thoughts, and memories of past Christmases and of things that I cannot anymore change.

But I wouldn’t bore you about with thoughts anymore. Coz I care about my reputation, and your insanity. So yeah, I think these photos will suffice. Besides, it’s almost 5:00 AM. Who blogs about sad things at 5:00AM anyway?

Not me.

(P.S. To everyone of you who worries that my house will catch fire anytime soon, please, find peace in knowing that I have fire extinguisher. And that I won’t fall asleep and/or leave the house with these light bulbs left switched on. Promise. )

Like now, because I’ve always wanted to do this, even before I saw Zooey Deschanel’s bed in (500) Days of Summer:

Aren’t they pretty? :) I think they look pretty on my vintage-wannabe bed (delivered last week from a department store sale). More reasons to stay in bed now, heh.

Tomorrow, I put up the Christmas tree. :D

(Oh hai, Mum, don’t worry, I’ll make sure to turn the lights off before I sleep, in case you’re worried that my bed would catch fire.)

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! Aside from Mariel’s sharpie, I just won something from Vicki’s blog too (yay!), and knowing how good it feels to be a recipient of something that comes from the heart, I’m hoping that the simple items I’m giving away now will also bring joy to those who gets to have them.

Forgive me for being a bit carried away. Following my post about those pretty little things that make us women smile, I was really just planning to toss some pearl earrings and buttons into little brown envelops, send them over, and get it over and done with. But I’ve been too inspired by all of you lovely people that I thought I’d put in extra effort to make these little packages a bit more special. (Like I said, it’s often the extra mile that counts.) :)

So okay. I shall be quick with the mechanics.

I have 6 pearl earrings of different colors, each of their cardboard holders (that I made myself, ehem) has writings that say something about the color’s personality*. I only have 6 packages to give away so be very quick! To join, all you have to do is to answer this question by posting a photo in your blog and/or flickr accounts:

What’s on top of your desk? :)

Take a top-view photo of your desk — the same way I’ve been doing in most of my 30-day blog challenge photos — put it up in your blog, link back to this page, and leave a comment here so I would see your post. The first 6 people to leave a comment here gets the pearl earring package from me. :)

But wait, there’s more! I know you must be eye-ing that pair of Camera Charm earrings in the photo above. I only have one pair of that, so I’m going to have it raffled! :) Assuming there are more than 6 people (lol) reading this blog, and all the pearl earrings are already taken, you still have a chance of winning this Camera Charm earrings! Everyone who’s able to post a top-view photo of her desk in her blog gets to be part of the raffle. On Wednesday next week, I’ll announce who wins this:

Is this something you’d be interested to have? :)

Also, here are the 6 giveaways to choose from, for the first 6 responders. Each package comes with a pair of pearl earrings, a button, and some words of inspiration, coupled with lots of love from me. :)

Alright, game starts now. :)

*The writings about the color personalities are not my own words, they’re from Colorscope of www.paper-source.com

30 Days of Awesome, 23/30.

Now, my nose is about to dive into my trackpad — I’m so tired and sleepy — so I’m making this short, sweet, and visual.

Here’s a photo I took in Tagaytay sometime in June, treated with blue and purple hues. I just love how it turned out. :)

Suddenly, my addiction to purple and blue has become undeniable. Exhibit A: This blog’s template; Exhibit B: My multiply account’s layout; Exhibit C: My twitter design; Exhibit D: A few weeks back, being inspired by Bella’s Room. I just can’t get enough of purple and blue!

Creative Mint has perfected the color schemes in my head:

Pretty, eh? :) How can one not be inspired by these beauties? Check out Creative Mint’s lovely inspiration boards! If her work did not inspire you to do something creative yourself, I don’t know what will. :)

Btw, watch out for my 30-day challenge giveaway tomorrow! I promise I won’t disappoint. For now, I sleep. Zzzzz.

30 Days of Awesome, 22/30.

Anyway. I’m thinking of coming up with a “Store of the Week” or “Wish List” kinda thing here. Since I’ve been spending a lot of money and time online shopping anyway, I thought perhaps I could point you guys to these awesome online shopping sites I frequent lately so you too can, uh, splurge with me. (What a lame. I’m sleepy.) No commissions involved, don’t worry.

Today, I shall point you to the direction of.. ta-da, the Heima Store.

Hi, I was at Heima last week, and I bought two rolls of film. And a pillow.
(Btw, that’s Heima featured at Real Living Magazine’s July Issue)

I first heard of them from a friend who happens to be college-friends with Heima’s store owner, Rossy Anne Yabut (graduate of UST, BA Interior Design, one year my junior — impressive indeed). I loved what I saw in the online store, hence, when I had the chance to drop by Cubao Expo, I made it a point to check out their showroom as well.

And oh-my-golly-wow, their showroom is awesome, I love everything I saw — from the furniture, to the home decors, to the lomographic cameras. Their collection ranges from vintage classic to modern glam, just about everything that makes me drool these days.

And the Happy House Collection is probably the most awesome thing there. Check. This. Out.

Now if only the heavens would pour out 35,000 PhP my way right this instant so I can buy this Happy Couch, then I’d start rain-dancing now. And then I’d rain-dance some more for another 12,000 PhP so I can get the Happy Bench. Or that Ms Cupcake Secretary Desk, which will really look pretty in my bedroom, the turquoise one please. *wipes drool*

Seriously though, I think this is the type of furniture I’d want in my home, when I have one. I can imagine the colors I can mix and match with this happy set already, the possibilities are endless, and I like what I see in my head! Someday, maybe.

Meanwhile, you can always just buy a roll of film from Heima, or a pillow, and leave the store happy just the same. ;)

Happy = awesome.

P.S. I know I sound like a sappy TV commercial, you don’t have to point that one out okay. It’s 5AM, cut me some slack here!! Zzzzzzz.. zzz.

30 Days of Awesome, 13/30.

3/30. Collecting Guitars and Displaying Them

[The guitars in this photo: Acoustic guitar -- the only one that is actually making any sound -- from Rico; the red toy guitar made in Cebu, from Ivy; and the two guitar magnets -- the bigger one I got from the Detroit Metro Airport during a stopover from last year's US trip, and the smaller one from my brother who got it also from Cebu.]

I have not played my guitar in a long time (and have stopped being guitarchic, too, if you haven’t noticed, lol) but I’m still fond of anything guitar, mostly because I like taking photos of them and seeing them displayed. And okay, playing them once in a while.

Collect and display, there goes a rule to live by. If you have guitars in your house, whether you’re using them or not, take them out of your closets and display them.

Let’s try visual now, shall we? Here are two ways to use guitars as decorative elements.

(1) Hang them on the wall:

Kibwe and Emily’s Condo, via Apartment Therapy

Sheila and Jorem’s house, featured over Real Living Magazine ;)

Laura Frantz’s living room, on Flickr

Design Sponge, via Poppytalk

Taller Than You, on Flickr

Or, (2) Put them on guitar stands:

Carrie Can, on Flickr

JonroHouseTour, via Apartment Therapy

Oh hai, I’m displaying my guitar, too. ;)

Poppytalk had their own series on using guitars as decoration. Check it out!

Awesome, eh.

30 Days of Awesome, 3/30.

What I failed to do, however, was to resist looking around and buying a few more things that I don’t really need.

And it all started with this wall clock. (Isn’t it the prettiest thing?)

I don’t know how it started, but this crazy obsession with typewriters and anything vintage (-looking) came to me with this sudden fondness of wall clocks. (Not too long, I also took home an old Coca Cola Wall Clock from Vintage Pop’s clearance sale.) So yep, this vintage-inspired clock found its way to my shopping cart in no time, as if I needed more reminders that time is ticking away.

This was shortly followed by the floral printed curtains, which were on sale. The huge floral pattern look like something my grandmother will appreciate, which is exactly what I love about it. And I like how I didn’t have to take down my old red curtains because as it seems, the printed pattern looks perfect against the two-toned red anyway. Surely, red and olive green look lovely together, Christmas or no Christmas.

And then there were just a few more things: fake flowers on a porcelain pot, scented candle contained in a jadeite metal pail, and a cheapo table cloth with orange and red stitches. Voila, instant living room overhaul.

I got home from the mall yesterday feeling a bit guilty for splurging (again) on things that were not in my budget to begin with. Tonight, however, as I spend time in that little corner of this place I’ve come to know as “home”, I knew that I could justify my impulse buying again and win in court.

I needed this change.

For freelancers like me, who spend most of our days confined in such a small space, little changes like this spell a lot of difference. Work places affect productivity, after all.

Old items: (1) Love seat/two-seater couch from SM Departmen Store; (2) Red throw pillows from Our Home; (3) Red two-toned curtains from some supermarket, I can’t remember which one; (4) Lamp from Ikea; (5) Red adjustable round table from Dimensione; (6) Vintage make-up kit and coffeeholics mug from Vintage Pop; (7) Accounstic guitar from Rico.

Recent additions, all from SM Department Store: (1) Floral printed curtains (P375 each x2); (2) Vintage-inspired wall clock (P299); (3) Red table cloth (P35); (4) Scented candle on a pail (P239); (5) Fake flowers in a porcelain pot (P149).

P.S. Daily doses of Decor8, plus the habitual bloghopping through her blogroll, did this to me. Thanks, Holly. :)

But I’m trying to help here, cut me some slack, because I believe in my heart that somewhere out there there’s someone like me who’s struggling with trying to get a decent meal something new on her plate once in a while, I mean, you’ve gotta give your body a break from Lucky Me Pancit Canton too, right?

So. Before I start my workday, I’m going to educate you about the amazing things you can do with Century Tuna, and 30 minutes of your day in the kitchen.

First off, the ingredients:

• One can of Century Tuna (Lite, if you’re worried about getting fat)
• One 150g pack of Del Monte Tomato Sauce (or whatever brand you prefer)
• One small can of Libby’s Vienna Sausage (an alternative to ham, bacon, or salami)
• Your favorite brand and type of pasta (penne, linguine, angel hair, alphabet noodles, whatever suits you)
• Butter (fine, get the Lite version too, paranoid!)
• Salt, and pepper (just for kicks)

Optional:

• Parmesan (if you’re like me who stocks up on Parmesan and mozzarella cheese in her ref as secret ingredients to everything — I should teach you that Cheesy Fish Fillet recipe of mine next)
• Green bell pepper (I wasn’t able to buy some because I didn’t really plan on making tuna spaghetti yesterday)
• Tomato Paste (if you like the somekinda-sour Italian style rather than the sweet-Filipino taste)
• Herbs/Spices, i.e. Rosemary, Italian Spices, or Basil (I think I put in some basil in there)

What?! I didn’t say it’s going to be preservative-free, don’t look at me like that. Tsss.

Anyway, I said you need 30 minutes of kitchen-time, but mostly really, the longest part is cooking the noodles. And I will assume that you know how to cook noodles already, so I won’t give you a step-by-step on that anymore. Since I only have one stove in my teenyweeny bit of a kitchen, I’d use this time to dice the onion, chop the sausages, and prepare the ingredients while waiting for the noodles to cook.

The one thing I like about working at home is the opportunity to just take a break from work when it’s starting to become a drag, and experiment in the kitchen, which is just like, 5 steps away from my desk. (Then again, everything in this one-bedroom unit is 5-to-10 steps away.)

I’d invite you to my place and tour you around my kitchen, but that will only take us 3 seconds, so I took a picture instead to save you your cab money.

Everything in this kitchen is one step away!!

It’s tiny, I know, but come on, everyone has to start somewhere.

Uh, yeah. Back to the spaghetti.

Once you set aside the noodles, the next part is going to be a breeze.

*Inhale* Sauté the diced onions with butter. Put in the chopped sausages, wait til they turn golden-brown. Add in one can of Century Tuna, yes, including the oil that comes with it. Add a pinch of salt and some pepper. Mix, stir, sing a song, dance if you want, stretch while you stir some more. Then, when you feel (yes, people, you can feel it) that it’s time to put in the Tomato Sauce, go for the gold! Add a spoonful of Tomato Paste with that, not too much because you don’t want it to be too sour. Mix, mix, mix.

And voila, tuna spaghetti sauce! *Exhale*

But we’re not done yet. This last part may not be necessary, because you can always just top your noodles with sauce and Parmesan and you’re done. However, I found out that it’s actually kinda nice to throw in the noodles to the sauce pan and mix them together while the stove is still heated up.

Gahh, it’s so hard to explain things in culinary words, let’s try pictures okay?

I meant something like this:

And yay, you’re done!

Now, some finish-product-photo-shoot, because I like to brag about my masterpiece. LOL.

Nomnomnom

Lay off on the softdrinks, kiddos, it’s bad for your health

You know what’s really sweet about this recipe? You can replace the Tomato Sauce with All Purpose Cream and tada, you have Tuna Carbonarra instead! *nods*

That’s right, people. Resourcefulness is the best policy. Err, something like that.