IRONY

Have you ever felt that feeling of anxiety mixed with displeasure by what you see and hear around you? That you get soaked up in a web of disbelief that you yourself do not know what to accept as true? That you just want to break away from everything and breath? Sure, nobody is perfect. That is what a lot of people claim. And that is what most of them use as an excuse in perpetrating enmity.

The need and want of a person is a dilemma at times. Self - fulfillment is also a matter at hand when choosing between the two. BUT for what's worth, I believe that happiness should be of great consideration on any situation.

Neutral is like telling yourself to be in the side and not to be on it. Have the guts to choose, whatever makes you happy, be ready for the following consequences.....life can never be too exciting one's you do not try to do something. :) Just be sure to yourself if you chose this, you're ready to fight for it till the end. We never learn too much.....

As people grow older, we tend to have better taste in things like proper choices in words and actions. While others progress, some never do. They merely project their immaturity through less simple objectives like poor judgment of situations and even to the extent of pulling people down for the sake of their selfish selves.

I've written so much on my planner for the past months. I can't believe so much has already happened. And now year 2012 is almost over. Life changes too fast before our eyes barely even notice it.

I'm not so sure where this entry is leading to. Hehehe :)) But after a long long while, I seem to have some "guts" to pour out feelings or rants out in the open again. Or maybe I'm just doing this to pacify myself. There are too many thoughts running in my head I might need that basin Dumbledore used to alleviate my mind of too much thoughts. HaHa

And anyway, you can never really force yourself to grow up before your time. PATIENCE does the trick. 

And, I'm patiently waiting and silently being a little more cautious and a lot more thankful for my blessings. Counting each and every one (including YOU) as I post this entry. 

Thank you for holding and being patient self!! at the least of all things to be thankful for. Learn to live a life of class.....Keep simplicity at its best that as if you handle it!!

Rekindle the Joy: For the love of Starbucks

Finally, the day that most coffee aficionados -- particularly Starbucks fans - have been waiting for, have arrived. It's that time of the year again where people flock over to Starbucks to lust over these planners and shell bucks upon bucks of hard earned money for....for what, exactly?? November 3, 2012 marks the day the Starbucks planner 2013 is released.

Are you excited?

So am I!!

As much as I love spontaneity and change, I also do value traditions. There are just some things in life that are best left untouched. These are the ones that you can always count on to happen at the exact same time of the year, every single year. Readers of the blog must have noticed what a big Starbucks Coffee fan I am. This began way before I actually became a Starbucks partner myself. I've have been a frequent visitor most especially during my university years. 

Christmas at Starbucks always begin in November! This year's planner has the theme "Moments of Connection". I'm sure you and I will agree that we each have our own special memories of connecting with our friends, our loved ones and even that special someone over our favorite cup of coffee or even an ice-cold Frappuccino blended beverage.

I must admit I love Starbucks coffee. This is a love affair that will never let die! But really it's nice to wake up in the morning in a nice mood and know that soon, I'll have my grande of frappe in my hand to get through the rest of my day. Yes, you can save money by not going to Starbucks, but you will probably end up spending the money you save on something else. This is my little treat much like a vacation, manicure, techies or a new book. Kanya kanya lang yan! :)

For one, past couple of days I meet up with my long time friends for our bonding and catching up. We decided to go and stay at Starbucks for a while for a little chitchat about anything under the sun. Of course, one day wouldn't be complete if we didn't order our own favorite frappucinos. :) These are just a few examples and I'm pretty sure you all have your own connection stories to tell too!!

My besties: Bern & Sha

With Michael

This year theme "Moments of Connection" will be highlighted throughout the planner. Starbucks believe that a shared moment of genuine connection over coffee is a simple act that helps provide an uplifting part of someone's day.

As I opened the planner, I noticed that the cover has a magnetic "tab". There's also a magnetic bookmark to help you mark the page that you want to refer back to. It looks very modern yet just like a Starbucks store, it will give you a homey feeling perfect for the holiday season. I also noticed that the planner starts in January 2013 as opposed to the planners before that starts in December.

What a Starbucks planner without more treats and surprises?? The Limited Edition Starbucks Philippines 2013 Planner will be available in three (3) leather covers (White, Green and Black). What's your pick?! This year they have thirteen (13) "Kindness Cards" with different Starbucks treats that can be shared with family, friends and loved ones and you can avail on the specified month. There are also three coupons that you can use or share with others for the entire year. That's sharing the Starbucks cheer for yah!! :D 

Look! Look! at these goooooooorgeous planners, so sleek and elegant and so damn worth your every chug of coffee. YEAH RIGHT!!!

What can I say?? Who's joining in the hype? Will you? will I? Well, despite all the sarcasm, I MOST PROBABLY WILL succumb, yet again, to this mysterious force calling me to be part of the bandwagon of people wanting to fit in the fad, be one with the crowd, and yeah.....LOL. Huwhaaaat!!

Well personally, I am a fan of Starbucks. With their coffee and the brand itself. I don't frequently visit lately but I do have a favorite: Hot chocolate, Chocolate Creme Chip, Coffee jelly, Toffee nut Latte one of the frappucinos you'd earn a sticker for. Hehe I love Starbucks, the coffee, the products, the store, the people and the brand! And for the comfort and that good aura together with smell of coffee it gives, who cares about the price. Hahaha

I'm even a planner person and I'll get that BLACK STARBUCKS PLANNER!!! My planner is one of the most exhausted things in my room. Its silent witness to my aggression towards the things that happened in my daily life, things I love doing, my passion, my personal thoughts. It contains my plans a year from now, even has a snapshot of stuff I want to accomplish in the following years from now. That means you would normally see my drawer containing old pieces of papers, letters, notebooks and planners -- I keep them because I written important things on them. They are my hidden personal treasures. 

How to redeem?? You know the drill, to avail any of limited edition Starbucks 2013 planner; all you have to do is to purchase a total of seventeen (17) drinks; Nine (9) Christmas beverages + Ten (10) core beverages.  This year, they have three Christmas beverages that you can try. There's the Toffee Nut Latte, Peppermint Mocha and the Dark Cherry Mocha.

Personally, I love the Toffee Nut Latte and I normally would order this for all the 9 Christmas beverages stickers needed. I just can't have enough of the buttery caramel flavor of sweet toffee combined with toasted nuts, espresso, milk, and topped with more toffee flavored sprinkles! Yummy! :)

The Dark Cherry Mocha reminds me of the taste of the Black Forest Cake. Bittersweet chocolate mixed with sweet cherry syrup, espresso shot and milk. 

Meanwhile, the Peppermint Mocha is one of the most-sought-after drinks every Starbucks Christmas season. Sadly, it's not something that I really like as I am not a fan of anything minty but if you love the combination of chocolate and mint then this is the perfect drink for you!

And well you know it all boils down to being a "luho". Everything about Starbucks is hardly a necessity, yet for the awesome feeling it gives.....money is just money, baby!! 

With this, I officially start my Toffee nut X stickers journey. 2013 Starbucks planner, Thou shalt be mine!! 1 down to go, 16 more to go. READY. GET SET. COLLECT!! Leggggoooo!!! :))

But best of all, with every redeemed of Limited edition Starbucks Philippines 2013 planner comes a donation for the children of Sparks Hope, a childhood care and development program in partnership with UNICEF. Support the cause, Buy a drink, Collect stickers, and own a 10th Limited edition 2013 planner!! 

Pumped-up Morning!

"Welcome every morning with a smile. Look on the new day as another special gift from your Creator, another golden opportunity to complete what you were unable to finish yesterday!" 

- Og Mandino

Mr. Sun painted a smile on my face the moment I woke up. Thank God for the changed in schedule, for having an off day today! I need a break! Happy kid here!! :)) And I just knew that it's gonna be an awesome day for me! My adrenaline came rushing and I took the advantage for the time to get in shape. 

I woke up early around 6am to the drum beats of the alarm. It was the day, so I slipped out of bed, shook the sleep from my body, and pulled on my jogging pants followed by my simple spaghetti tee, sporty jacket and daily running shoes. I strapped on my watch and grabbed my knapsack containing my running necessities. Went to UP oval in the morning for an early run. JOGGING TIME!!

Good morning, SUNSHINE!! Happened to witness a gorgeous sunrise it is! :D I broke into a light jog as the cool, misty, morning breeze touching my face. It's good to see big green trees that brings you relaxed feeling from all the stress the city brings you. While having my jog in UP Oval there are people who greets me 'Good morning' and smiles like they know me at all, is such a great feeling! :)

First time running this early again!! I miss this! Feeling energized and take on the day! Bring in, bitch!! Time to burn some calories. It's good to feel sweating again! :)) Energy and Positivity is at its peak! Hooohaaa! C'mon!! :)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!

This day of the year is one of the most special days in my life and will always be; today's my daddy's birthday. Yes, that's right, I said Daddy. I don't care how old or "grown up" I get. I will always be a Daddy's Girl. He isn't my father, not even my dad. He has ALWAYS been and will always be my Daddy. And today is his birthday!

We always speak about mom, how much she cares and how much pain she takes right from giving birth to us but there is a MAN who always supports us and the entire family without saying a word and with least expectations of recognition, 'DAD'.

The chemistry between me and my dad has always been like a bestfriend. He's my everywhere and everything buddy. :) You were the first man I loved, and the one I compare all others too. Your support and guidance have helped mold me into the person I am today; he has done so so so much.

I LOVE YOU, DADDY!! I'm sorry for being such a naughty daughter, especially on my bad driving skills and multitasking while driving. Sorry for being "pasaway" kid sometimes. Hihihi :P I never told you how much I love you and care about you but I want to take this opportunity and through this blog I wanna say YOU are my hero and no one on this earth can ever take your place in my life. 

LEFT: "PAST" I was about 5yrs.old. RIGHT: Me & daddy today! :)

I wish you the HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!! :)) Thank you for all that you do, and all that you are.

Just an Encouragement

Do you find it hard reaching your dreams? Your likes? Your wants? Are you tired of waiting for miracles to happen? Or perhaps are you losing hope? LIFE may seem sooo hard, a long roller coaster ride and different but please.....NEVER GIVE UP!! You know, reality is, you won't meet all your goals, or do what you want to achieve right when you want to. Sometimes other forces get in the way, or it was just not your time to shine. It happens! And I'm here to tell you.....IT DOESN'T MATTER. 

That's right. It doesn't matter. It's about how you play the game and how you use your focus. When you look back on your life, what will you say? "I tried." or "I gave up." I know being OPTIMIST all the time is hard when life become unfair -- that same thing happens over and over again. But remember no matter shitty and crazy our life is, it is what it is. Keep working! Keep trying! Keep moving and don't stop! The only true failure is when you stop. We should know how to deal with it, make difference and permit yourself to look beyond the brighter side of your life. Just KEEP FIGTHING!!!

"Win as if you were used to it, Lose as if you enjoyed it for a change."