Fascinating Finds at Sonya's Garden

Much has been written/blogged about Sonya's Country Bed and Breakfast. Last weekend I tagged along with my wedding florist sister, Aprille, for an ocular visit to  her clients' reception and one of the places that we went to was at Sonya's Garden.

Return of the TV shows I'm looking forward to starting next week

While I'm waiting for the review of my manuscript, I'm looking forward to watch some of my favorite shows starting next week.


How I met your Mother Season 9

I heard this is the final season of the super long story of How I met your Mother. Finally, I have gotten tired and lost interest on finding out who the mother is, but finally when season 9 promised to be the last, I thought maybe it's worth a go. So finally, I am looking forward how this series will turn out with the season starting with the wedding weekend:

A gift in "Coming Back" Episode 2 of Season 9

The wedding weekend is here! Robin (Cobie Smulders) and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) share a tender moment before the chaos begins. The ninth season of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER premieres with a special one-hour episode, Monday, Sept. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT)

Source

Modern Family Season 5

I've known Modern Family 2 years ago and it is only this year that I've actually sat down and watched it...and I loved it! I don't know why it took me this long to really watch it so I'd like to thank my colleague, Chad's girlfriend, Sanda, for giving me copies of all four seasons!

I can't even say who my favorite character is, but I'm looking forward to this scene by Phil Dunphy: 

  "Do you remember when summer meant fireflies and cutoff shorts and ice cream trucks?," Claire asks.

     "Well, one out of three," Phil "Hot Pants" Dunphy exclaims, as only he can, standing up to reveal short denim cutoffs.

Source

"Modern Family" Season 5 premieres Wed., Sept. 25 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Keeping up with Kardashians Season 8 (back from the Season break)

This is my and my sister's guilty pleasure. We like watching it because you don't need to think too much (haha!) But we actually learn some stuff (seriously) from the Kardashian shows like breast milk can cure/relieve psoriasis, and other stuff.

I'm quite excited for the next episode (September 29) as it was on a season break, because it will feature Kim's baby shower and my sister and I will be on the look out for the production design for inspiration and ideas.

While waiting for my manuscript, I intend to also read the chick lit books that I have accumulated these past few months, watch a new series that I recently downloaded as recommended by a former classmate, and take up a physical activity, all these trying to distract my anxiety towards my paper.

How about you?

The Grad School Diaries: Episode 19 - Rough Drafts

 Today, I got this on my blog in a comment form from a previous post :

"So, what happened, Kae? Did you already finish your thesis and already got your degree? Writing MA thesis and phd dissertation can really be hard, but it shouldn't be a problem if people are really dedicated on what they are doing. Anyway, do hope everything went well with your plan."

I have not been updating my grad school diaries, because, as much as I want to blog, I have to get my sh*t together and write my thesis, properly and for real. This photo is not even 1/8 of the number of drafts that I have at home. Some were misplaced in other parts of the house, but they are there. I know.

After four topic changes, seven drafts, not to mention revisions on the sides, finally today, I will hand over my manuscript to an external reviewer for a blind review. No dancing yet, I have yet to write another journal article based on the recommendations from my guidance committee and external reviewer.

I have to admit that it is only lately that I have been really dedicated to finish the manuscript because:

• I want to be able to start reading other stuff (read: chick literature) other than my thesis literature. 
• I want to have my degree before my birthday this year.
• I want to fully concentrate on other stuff that I have at work that needs writing.
• I want to start my other planned extra curricular activities post-work shift without having to worry for revisions and deadlines at the back of my mind.

So dear Ms. Eastwood (who left the comment on my blog): Thank you reminding me to update this section of my blog and yes, I am also hoping that everything will go well with my plan.

I am getting there. :)

20 things a woman should live by (lifted from @pinterest)

Review: Revlon's Colorstay eye shadow quad palette

I've written before how I am fond of using eye shadow for the reason that blending colors relaxes me. I've had few moments of drag queen-ish eye shadow that I wore to work just to test how long wearing it is. I've blogged about BYS eye shadow palette that I love, but I kept thinking maybe I just got lucky with blending because the palette is shimmery.

Then I remembered I have this quad palette from Revlon. As you can see,(although photo is not clear as I have just grabbed this from my instagram account), only one shadow on the lower left is shimmery (but not as shimmery as the BYS palette).

I'm using the "Addictive" palette. The back portion shows you which shadow to apply first, and it's labeled 1 to 4, but the truth is, in quad palettes, you don't really have to use all four. Use the ones that complement the shades.

When I applied it the first time, I didn't notice that I was already piling up colors because it was so light and I didn't think the pigmentation is that good, but then I took a break from all the blending, that's when I saw it. It may not look like the color is showing up, but it does. What surprised me is it is also long wearing. It lasted more than 10 hours without retouch (considering I have oily face and walked a lot and got really sweaty on that day).

With that, I recommend this if you are going for the no make up look. Now, if only I can get another quad palette of a different family of earth colors...

Disney Princesses' Instagram

I only Instagram on certain times of the day and usually just use my account to look at some eye candies. I actually am glad that I do not have a data plan on my phone or else I would be stalking a lot of celebrities and online personalities all day.

I found this on pinterest and I thought it's really cute.  I usually take breaks from writing to delight myself in pinterest, but this one is just too cute not to share.

And speaking if Instagram, I've seen this months ago but just in case you haven't seen it:

Old [Nokia] Phones Memory Lane (now that Microsoft bought them)

Someone from the past told me that in the Philippines, people look at what phone do you use. I beg to disagree, until I found my self looking at people's phones. Maybe because I was influenced of what he said year ago, but also I know some people who are so into changing phones to Nokia touchscreen models even if they do not have phone credits/top ups/load to sustain it,just so that they have a good phone to show. Interesting isn't it? Or is it just us Pinoys? 

I saw on the news last night that Nokia was bought by Microsoft for 7.2B. Through the years I've been an avid Nokia fan. It made me do a quick review of how many Nokia phones I've had, since now I am a Blackberry user and a huge fan of Blackberry Messaging and also because my mobile plan came with BBM service.

In high school, my first cellphone was a Nokia 5110. I remember it costs 6k during that time.

BER-y Busy...Just checking in.

How messy my little nook at work looks.

Two external hard drives, headphones, phone vibrating every so often, post-its that I've yet to put up plus little girly stuff in between...what do you think I'm doing?

It’s one of those days that I have like a pile of stuff to do and I can’t do anything so I…blog. 

Lately I've been trying to attempt to achieve balance...physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. I realized the BER months have started and I'm going to be BER-y busy. Because for the rest of the year I have yet to:

• Graduate (Oh dear Lord, please na talaga!)
• Reach my financial goal.
• Plan two itineraries for this year and next year.
• Participate in my sister's wedding gigs.
• Be a really good person (and trust me it is a lot of work)
• And other stuff that's already TMI.

I get guilty when I pray and let out a sigh about my life like how it's gotten a little blah after living on the edge for so many years, then I meet someone who makes me extremely grateful of what I have now. Not that I feel good that that they feel bad, but you know what I mean.

Sometimes, all I really want is one quiet day where I can just curl up with one of the books that I've been buying from these very tempting book sales that I've been posting on Instagram. I do have a social media diet on weekends and it's not enough.

I want to write, I want to blog, I want to share stories that I've been learning about lately and interesting people that I met but when my fingers touch the keyboard and starts writing, I get this nagging voice in my head telling me I should be writing my thesis...my report...my articles...like now, there's that voice again. 

So hello new month, it's me and I'm just checking in.