Project FEETrail [August 2012]: Flip-flops, Flats and Most Significant Change

"Based from Rick Davies and Jess Dart’s Monitoring and Evaluation Technique that we took up in class, what can you say is the Most Significant Change that happened to you?" One of my panel adviser and a well-respected professor in Development Management asked. 

I nearly choked. There is no way that I am going to let my voice crack. There is no way that I am going to allow what happened to me two years ago.

July 2010 – I was asked in class my opinion about “Quitting your job takes a lot of guts”. I had just recently resigned and moved back home and slowly realizing what Quarter-life crisis is when that question was thrown at me and I was caught off guard. In front of the whole class and I didn’t have any friends back then.

I nearly choked. My voice cracked and my professor got alarmed she must have thought I will start to cry. I was heartbroken when I left the city. Yes, I did quit the job that I am literally dragging my self into but at the same time, my applications to a different industry, the one that I really wanted ever since, was taking it’s sweet time in getting back to me. Then there was Graduate School who welcomed me with open arms.

So I moved back to UPLB. Two months after I was enrolled, the job called and wanted me to go back to the city for an interview. I can remember my self sitting in front of White Hat Frozen Yogurt stand in Alabang Town Center with my parents infront of me. I had to make a decision right then and there.

If I go to the interview and get qualified, I will leave Graduate School Pronto.

If I don’t, I will just have to patiently wait for life to unfold it’s purpose how it managed to pull me into moving me back home.

I am never comfortable with uncertainties and I always have this default fear of the future. But somehow, at that moment, I just went with my gut feel.

“I’m sorry but I will have to pass because I enrolled my self full time in UP Graduate School.”

“Okay, we will just have to put you in our reserved list just in case you decide to re-apply in the future.”

“Thank you very much, sir”

I hung up the phone and told my parents: “This whole graduate school better be worth it.”

And you know what? It was.

Because if I went for the job, I wouldn’t have the chance to met such good people, discover my self, get a better understanding, learn to forgive, be patient and be accepting. I did learn to be objective even if things will not go for my favor, learn to see things from different lenses. I felt my brain literally expanded. That’s why I always say I owe so much to Development Communication, not just because of the actual classes, but it’s the people and experience that I met when I decided to take up the degree.

And if I took that job, then I wouldn’t have the chance to spend the remaining last 2 years of my father’s life with him.

So just to give a simple and short answer what was the Most Significant Change that happened in my life? I learned to live my realities and faced my fears. I honestly learned and felt and appreciate what it feels like to be grounded.   (Of course, that’s not the answer that I gave to my professor, but it’s something along those lines.) 

I got a pedicure 3 days before my final graduate school presentation because I am all set to take my Oral Graduate Comprehensive Exam and propose my MS Thesis to my committee, in my peep-toe, nude-colored, high heeled wedge shoes that will definitely, psychologically level up my confidence that I badly  needed for that day.

I've always believed in the power of stilettos and high heeled shoes and I am actually proud that I can run in them. It gives women such power that when they strut, they can take anything the world can throw at them. But as I was headed out to the door at 6 in the morning, I changed my mind and wore my cheap ballet flats instead. 

I just feel that it made me feel closer to the ground.

P.S.

Sorry I just couldn't help but post this tweet from my friend. I passed the exam on the day of his 26th Birthday! :)

Thank you Frankie J.! 

Quick Review: The Spice Jar Food Hub

When my friend Franco tweeted me about a Mexican place that he discovered that he wanted me to try and blog about, I did not think twice about giving it a go. 

Two things:

1. We're always up to try a new restaurant/dining area around UPLB

2. It's the perfect time to test my new camera that I bought earlier this week (story about that in the coming posts).

The owner told me that they've been around since January of this year and we've never really noticed it until Franco suggested that we try it out.

The design at the counter

Dining Area

That's my friend Franco (in black) who endorsed the place for me to blog about.

View from the outside

 The food:

The best seller: Ginger Garlic Chicken - P60

Potato Balls - P45

Chili Bombs - P40

Beef and Bean Burrito - P125

Soft Chicken Taco - P85 

Quick Review:

• Reasonably priced (Iced Tea as low as Php10.00)
• Try their best seller: The ginger garlic chicken - I'm not much into garlic chicken but I really liked it and will order it again next time I visit.
• Not much of a burrito fan but I liked the Beef and Bean burrito. 
• Unfortunately there's no air-conditioning.
• Service is prompt.

Would I visit again? Yes.

Just a few steps from the entrance of F.O. Santos coming from Grove street, the Spice Jar Food Hub is located on the left side of the street. 

Why I wouldn't mind wearing a funny dress for The Bride

Few days ago, my closest friends told me that they're finally getting hitched! I am beyond excited because I've been such a fan. And because it's not my story to tell, no proposal story will be told in this blog...until probably, further notice and permission from the couple.

Anyway, immediately, minutes after learning that I was the first one (apart from family) that they shared the good news with, I was not able to help my self but tweet that people I love are getting married this year.

And, in a classic Kea fashion, the planning, the non-stop texting that went on for days including googling of wedding pegs were even in the middle of the day! I am that excited. Then one night, over dinner, I was telling a friend about my pegs for this wedding and the concept that I'm cooking, she asked if I am "The Maid of Honor".

Source

To be honest, I have not even thought of becoming part of the entourage because I am more into the wedding behind-the-scenes ( The make up, preparation, pre-nup shoots and wedding photography, wedding blogging, scouting for receptions, wedding pegs and ideas etc.) That's why this movie is one of my favorites:

I can still remember how Jennifer Lopez walks confidently along the aisle with a blazer on and the blazer opens up to be a bridal tool kit with all the essentials to fix all kinds of bridal/wedding emergency.

What makes me really happy is I get to help out to plan my favorite couple's wedding!

You have no idea how many bridemaid-zilla stories that I've heard. Bridesmaid even more demanding than the bride, bridesmaids fighting over the color and style of their dresses, and bridesmaid arguing with other bridesmaids about the style of their dresses, shoes and even the transportation that they're going to use. Bridesmaids stressing out about their boyfriends not being able to make it, bridesmaids being single, bridesmaids demanding this and that and I could go on.

These bridesmaids were such a nightmare that they keep forgetting that the wedding is not about them. It's about the bride!

I am going to be one of the bridesmaids this year and I don't really care/demand that I get to have a designer/awesome dress (of course it's nice to have one too!). My request is just for the dress to fit comfortably and have a few things on so that I would at least look presentable. I do not insist on getting my own design, color, accessories or whatever.

So to all stressful bridesmaids out there: Trust the bride. I have not yet met a bitchy bride who intentionally wanted for all her bridesmaids to look ugly just so she can stand out. With this age of cyberspace vanity, everyone gets very conscious about how everything will look like and be perceived from the outside. They wouldn't want to have an ugly entourage either and you will have to respect their taste because the wedding is about them and not you.

It's the bride's day and what the bride wants, the bride must get.  :)

Instant flawless hair bun

Remember this post about the instant side swept bangs?

My sister saw has a knack for noticing these kind of hair things:

Tadaaaaa!!!

Instant Hair Bun!

Review: FX Curls Up Fixative Gel

Source

It's my first time to try a "fixative gel" for culs/permed hair. I've been using curl defining mousse since I got my hair permed last September.

Price: Php 299.00
Purchase Place: Landmark Trinoma

It was my first time to try using a gel. I guess I should have known the really major difference about working with the curls with the gel vs. mousse.

I followed the instructions and scrunched my hair with the gel on it while still damp, though it maintained my big curls, my curl strands were a little stiff and loose. It's really a styling gel. I definitely preferred the mousse version of this.

Last night I was walking at Landmark Makati when I saw another gel type of it's kind. The sales lady told me that the other one gives a soft result compared to this one. I did not tell her that I am actually using the one that I am inquiring about, so kudos to the sales lady who honestly told me that which product makes the curls stiff.

Will I purchase again?

Probably, but not anytime soon. I prefer it compared to Monea Curl Defining Milk lotion (that I will not buy again!)

It definitely held my curls way better than Monea, but it tends to feel a little stiff. If you don't like working with mousse, (or if your hair type can't work with mousse) this is a good option.

WTF: What's That on your Face?

I watched Ally McBeal series in 1999 and saw one episode where this was shown and I thought this face bra was weird and will never be adopted in real-life, only in that kooky TV series:

The inventor, the Law firm's professional meddler secretary, Elaine Vassal, (played by Jane Krakowski) said it prevents the face from sagging.

Then Year 2012 came the Face-kinis from China:

Photo by Aly Song  (source)

According to Yahoo News, it's the Chinese Solution for their fear of tanning. 

I wonder what's next?

How's your long weekend?

How's your long weekend?

Me?

We went out of town.

Literally.

OUT. OF. FRIGGIN' TOWN.

And there's going to be more of these.

Those 4 days were really jam-packed. My self-conditioning for a major MS Thesis overhaul went to nothing.

Now I am cramming like a maniac with the last few hours of the long weekend before work starts tomorrow. I need to convince myself that I accomplished something. Like revise a page.

Anyway, I hope you all had a good one. :)

Children of the 90s Movies

I'm challenging the power of the internet and my Google-fu if I can retrieve photos or cinema posters of my favorite childhood movies.

These movies, when shown on HBO (which is like 1:10 ratio most of the time) must have my undivided attention. 

But the most special to my memory is this:

Because this is the first ever movie that my late Father took my sister and me to watch at Alabang Town Center. 

And this:

The first movie we saw as a family that started our post-Christmas mall tradition. 

What are your favorite childhood movies?