MY 2016 READING (AND BLOGGING) RESOLUTIONS

Ni hao, everyone! Like I told you before, I wanted to bring back the old bookworm in me this year. I thought of resolutions that may help me win her back + make reading (and blogging) a regular thing for me again. Please support me on this one! :D

1. Read at least one book every week.
That would be a total of at least 52 books by the end of the year! Bring it on!

2. Finish reading the books on my "Currently reading" shelf on Goodreads from last year.
It's not that the books are not good... the problem is me. :/

3. ALWAYS read the last book in a series.
I have love-hate relationships with series enders. Maybe because I don't think I can handle endings... (BUT I did read Ignite Me and it took me only five hours to finish it!)

4. Read at least one book written by a Filipino author every month.
Because #LoveLocal!

5. Finish reading ARCs on or before their release dates.
THIS has been one of my problems ever since --- reading ARCs months (or a year!) after their release dates. Sorry! Huhu

6. Publish, at least, two blog posts every week.
One review, one anything under the sun.

Hmmm, I think that's it! I hope I could follow this list  throughout the year and get over my reading slump! Happy reading! :)

WHAT'S IN MY BAG?

I've watched a couple of "What's in my bag" videos from  youtubers, especially beauty gurus, and lately, I've read the WIMB blog post by my bookish friend Sab of Sab the Book Eater. So here I am, with my What's In My Bag? post!

First of all, I'm always using this black shoulder bag (not the above photo, though) I scored from a thrift shop near the subdivision I live in. I love thrift shops! I guess being a bookworm explains why: I spend more money on books than bags, clothes and shoes. This bag is very spacious inside that I can even put a pair of shoes and an extra shirt in here!

Anyway, here are the contents of my bag:

1. Starbucks Planner

Yeah. I looooooove Starbucks. I love their coffee, I love their tea, I love their store. That's why it wasn't hard for me to collect stickers to avail their planner. Plus, I really need a planner to plot my scheduled meetings, fieldworks and other plans.

2. Small Notebook

My current work is a curriculum provider company so I attend a lot of meetings and I'm always on field. I need a small notebook to take note of the important things I meet along the way. Especially that sometimes, I'm a teacher. ;)

3. Pencil case

I love collecting different ballpens in different colors! I love doodling on my notebook, planner, scratch papers, and any writing surface I get a hold of. But no, I don't vandalize.

4. Book

I always carry a book with me. But not during rainy days.

5. Kobo Glo E-reader

During rainy days, I don't bring print books because oh the fear of getting it soaked. But I ALWAYS bring my Kobo with me everytime I leave the house.

6. Cellphones

I think this is pretty obvious. I always carry two cell phones: my personal phone and my office phone. I don't want to incorporate my work with my personal contacts.

7. Cellphone Charger

My cellphone charger also serves as my Kobo's charger since that have the same charging pins. I freak out whenever I left my charger at home. This is part of my I Am Ready tools. You never know when you will run out of battery charge, right?

8. Earphones

I'm a commuter, so to avoid stress during my travel to anywhere, I listen to music.

9. Wallet

Uhh. Obviously. Hehe

10. Scientific calculator

I don't like numbers. I hate Math. So I really don't know why I can't leave the house without my sci-cal. Weird me.

11. Make-up bag

I don't wear heavy make-up. I'm that plain face + red lipstick kind of girl. I don't use eye and cheeks make-up. So basically, my kikay kit only contains liquid foundation, pressed powder, eyeliner (winged eyeliner is my type) and any shade of lipstick (except coral).

12. Other essentials

The other things I always bring with me are tissue paper, wet wipes, a pair of scissors, lighter (I don't smoke, though) These are also parts of my I Am Ready Tools. Girl scout forever over here!

So, there. I don't mind the weight of my bag as long as I have the above things inside it. I feel like I can survive with just these things.

How about you, what's in your bag? It'd be great to share your post if you have, or you can make one!

Writing A New Chapter In My Life: Learning Modern Calligraphy

Hello, there! Lately I've been contemplating about new things I wanted to try, things I wanted to learn. I recently attended a Lettering and Typography workshop (thanks to the amazing team of Works of Heart!) and I learned so many things about the anatomy of letters. I've always loved lettering and scribbling at the back of my notebooks so I'm not actually new into the art of lettering. I just wanted to enhance my skills and know more about them.

Until I saw my favorite author, the gorgeous as ever Jodi Meadows posting pictures of her calligraphy works on Instagram. I fell inlove with the art of beautiful handwriting. I showed her the picture below, and she told me that she's contagious. I couldn't agree more! I got my basic calligraphy tools from La Bella Scrittura, a group of ladies showcasing the art of calligraphy. They are so kind to answer questions of newbies and give us tips as well.

Quote from one of my fave books, Infinite by Jodi Meadows

A line from Ed Sheeran's song, Thinking Out Loud. Yes, I'm a Sheerio.

I tried brush lettering as well, but I bought a very cheap brush so I never really got into it. I have yet to buy a nice brush pen, preferably Pentel brush pen.

Well, I am spending more time practicing on controlling the pressure and flow of inks because I'm really having a hard time doing so. I'm a left-handed human, which means I can always smudge the ink if I'm not careful. I'm more fond of using an oblique holder, which is made for lefties like me! I first used the nib Vintage Hunt 22, which is advisable for newbies. Right now, my favorite nib is the Brause 66EF because of its smooth touch on paper. Esterbrook 355 is also good for newbies. I also tried Leonardt 40, also known as the Blue Pumpkin and I'm not a fan. It's hard to control the flow of the ink because of its very fine tip. (Trivia: The Hiro #40 Nib (Blue Pumpkin) nib no longer has "Hiro stamped on it, instead it now has "leonardt".)

Also, I'm always taken to the ink spatter land! I hate it when the nib got caught up with the paper. Anyway, I'll be attending a workshop by La Bella Scrittura so I'm really looking forward meeting Ms. Aileen (@theleftieadvantage) personally! Why? Because she's an experienced calligrapher. And left-handed too. I'm so excited!

Here's my latest work, another quote by Jodi Meadows from her book Asunder. It's my favorite book in the Newsoul trilogy and this quote is perfect for me in many ways -- family, friendship and lovelife.

Ink used: Eternal Higgins (Black)
Nib: Brause 66EF

Welcome to Ink Spatter land! Ugh, look at that smudge on the last word.

Oh, I'm hoping that next time, the ink that will form these beautiful words will land on my skin, not on paper. If you know what I mean. :)

How about you? What other activities are you up to lately, aside from reading? I'd love to know thru the comment section below!

I have the right to remain silent.

I THINK A LOT. BUT I DON'T SAY MUCH.

Lately, a lot of things kept on entering my mind. Thoughts, doubts, realizations, a lot. There are times when I feel like my mind's gonna burst due to over thinking. I often caught myself staring at nowhere, losing concentration on the things I do. Sometimes, I'm not even aware of what I'm doing. I know I should talk to someone and spit out whatsoever is on my mind; to share what's playing inside my head, to talk about how I feel. But I don't know why I can't. It's just that I don't want to talk about them, feeling that things might just get worse. I know that if I blurt out the things inside my head, there are people who will get involved, and I don't want that to happen. I guess it's better to just keep it to myself whatever enters my mind, as long as I can hold onto it.

Certainty in Uncertainty

He is the one who keeps me inspired everyday
Just one sweet text message from him, all the bad bad vibes would go away
We've been through a lot for the past years
We shared sadness and joy, laughter and tears
Our plans for the future are already secured
All the trials and problems, we're ready to endure

I never even thought a man like him would exist
He is the type I just couldn't resist
He may be that I-am-always-in-trouble type of guy
Yet he gives that wink and smile that reaches the sky
He says for him I was perfect
That it's my beauty within that reflects

He may seem so far away from me
But when I close my eyes, he's all I see
He painted my life with the colors of the rainbow
With him by my side, I never feel low
In his arms, I never have to worry
And that I will never be sorry

Just like fireworks he took my fears away
I promised that for as long as he wants, I'll stay
Yes, we're apart and must stay in touch
But this only made me love him so much
I miss him every second, every minute and every hour of the day
And I know he feels that same too anyway

I really hate it when he acts cold like the ice cream
But with his sweet nothings, my heart would scream
I love the way he tickles me
'Cause I know it's my laughs and smiles he wants to see
During my bad days he makes me laugh
In his jokes I just can't get enough

When he chats with other girls
I want to straighten his curls! XD
I want him to flirt to no one but me
He gave me his honesty and loyalty
Missing him is such a terrible feeling
Day by day, the pain is only increasing

He made me hold onto his words and promises
Promised to give me more hugs and kisses
He's the only one who made my feel this way
My heart doesn't want him to go away
So, the question is, "Is he the one?"
Well, I guess the answer is YES, he is the only one. 

Rainy day daydream

...drip, drip, drop...

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I love rainy days. And today is one of them. I love everything about rain, except it causes flood when it rains too much. I think it's best to read books while drinking  a hot cup of tea during the days the clouds cry.

The sound of raindrops soothes my mind and I hear a harmonious wave of music instead of water droplets.

Dancing in the rain is probably the best drama in my life. I don't usually use umbrella because I love walking in the rain. It seems like rain feeds my body and it feels good to me when raindrops land on my skin, touching me and reminding me how awesome it is to live.

It makes me feel complete.

When I don't feel like reading, I just lay down on my bed and curl up with my blanket like a cocoon. I close my eyes and start imagining different things like being bitten by a vampire, or having powers like a witch,and fly around freely like a bird.

Daydreaming is best done during rainy days, believe me. You'll just lay on your bed lazily and start daydreaming, wishing of different things and hoping they'll come true.

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...drip, drip, drop...

Disconnection

There is this feeling that always disconnects us from the things that we want. This feeling is called fear. And this fear somehow holds us back from being strong. This feeling of disconnection because of fear from the things we want or we need makes us sad.

Somehow, we need to fight this feeling. We need to be strong so that no matter what happens, our lives can still go on. We should never allow this fear to stop us from doing the things that we like, from loving someone unconditionally, from reaching our goals, from making wishes come true, and most all, from making our dreams into reality.

Rewriting my life

Today I was scanning through the pages of my old notebooks when I saw this notes at the back of my old steno:

Words. These are some of my best friends back then when I was still in highschool. But I suddenly turned my back on them. I used to love writing down my thoughts. It makes me feel light inside. It comforts my heart and gives peace to my mind. But then what happened? I guess I changed my perspectives in life. I had a change of heart.

Today, I want to change these perspectives again. This time, I want to feel the might of the pen once again in my life. I want to write again. I want to rewrite what I used to be -- a writer.

Thoughts. Memories. Feelings. Mindshouts.

So many words are left behind. The wrong grammars in my life should be rewritten to get free from the errors of the past.

*had a hard time reading it since I wrote it backwards (mirror writing) and I can't find a mirror big enough to read it as a whole and I edited some parts.