Of Breaking The Silence: Speak Up!

From time to time, I meet new people from my trips, events and even from my business meetings. I admit that there are times that I easily get intimidated by some mainly because of their credentials or their personalities. I'd always think that I had no right to oppose them and left me no choice but to just blindly follow and agree with all of their insights, plans and opinions.

Being silent does not necessarily equates to respect. Let me tell you a short story about my experience with regards to this particular social issue.

Why Planners Never Work For Me

Almost every person on this planet has gone gaga over the 2012 planners of Starbucks, Moonleaf and other famous coffee/milktea shops. Even the notoriously expensive Moleskin planners are selling like hotcakes in leading bookstores.

Moleskine Planner. Photo by Mike Rohde

Planners never worked for me. It always irks me whenever I receive a planner every Christmas. I was in high school back then when I started receiving it. Once, I was given a planner as a gift on my birthday (take note that I celebrate my birthday every AUGUST). Ugh, the horror!

But don't get me wrong. I am not a burara type of person. In fact, I organize my things, place them on the right spot. In short, I'm an OC-type of person. I really hate it whenever things don't go according to my plans. But it's just, there are times that I become spontaneous, therefore ruining the purpose of having a planner. Whenever a friend invites me to go shopping/traveling/food trippin', I'd reply YES, SURE in an instant, as long as the budget permits.

I have nothing against to people who write and update their planners. Others even put an extra effort by having some decent artwork on it. I actually admire them for being so creative and hardworking.

You see, I have blank planners way back in 2007... worse, it comes with different styles! Those were never touched. Still a virgin.

I still lack motivation and drive to do creative stuff on a planner. I admit that I'm still lazy on writing my future schedules and events on a planner. I just write it on a piece paper and post it on my wall. Simple as that.

It doesn't necessarily mean that I don't have concrete plans in my life. I actually have.

But it's just I'm too lazy to write something on a planner.

Yes, I'm THAT lazy.

Lights Will Guide You

Happy Holidays everyone!

Photos were taken at Mana Davao. Such a beautiful place to visit this Yuletide Season!

Special Christmas Recipes of Chef Niño Laus and Thermos

I envy people who cook well. That's why, I got inspired after watching Chef Niño's cooking demonstration last Tuesday at North Zen Basic spaces. True enough, cooking is indeed a talent. But if your cookwares are not in good quality, your talent in cooking would just be useless.

Cooking demonstration with Chef Niño

The Gatsby School Tour - Davao Edition

Gatsby, the cosmetic company behind the infamous hair wax had invaded eleven schools here in Davao! The Gatsby Tour Bus entered the gates of these schools in which two of them, the University of the Southeastern Philippines and University of Mindanao (Annex) were visited by Duane and yours truly!

Singapore's Child Wonder: Miguel Antonio

Singapore's child wonder, Miguel Antonio visited Davao City and had a mini-concert at Eagle's Bar, Marco Polo Hotel last November 11, 2011.

What a great way to celebrate 11.11.11!

Looking Back

I was about to finish fixing the layout of this blog a while ago when I accidentally clicked the linkwithin widget. And from that moment, I started to read some of my previous blog posts back in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. It made me realized that I was such a blabbermouth.

In 2006, I always ranted how low my grades (below 90, and yes, I used to be a perfectionist back in high school) were in Physics and Calculus. I was new in blogging back then. I still remember that Blogger and YouTube weren't part of Google yet. More so, this personal blog of mine used to be a very personal journal, to a point that I blogged how I felt really bad after losing a song composition contest. Apparently, one of my classmates discovered my rant post and it became an issue the day after.

That was so high school.

And oh, did I mention that I commit a LOT of grammatical errors back in 2006? Lol, like I've said, those mistakes did not matter to me at all. I just wanted to express myself through blogging. I didn't care if I get new visitors in my blog.

Posts regarding the first half of my college life was pretty much the same - rants how low my grades were, frustrations, and all the things that ran into my mind. It even came to a point that I wrote two hate entries about my Chemistry professor during my freshman year. It was pathetic... and funny. I would always blog about how my day went no matter how awesome or ordinary it was. I would even write a post about how sleep deprived I am or how stressed I am with school and the list goes on and on.

Everything had changed after I flunked Biochemistry. My insights about life had instantly broadened. I learned to appreciate little things around me. I learned how to become more patient. I learned how to control my emotions. While reading the rest of the entries, I realized that I was pretty much unsure with my course. In my previous posts, I would always ask myself if I made the right choice or if I took the right road.

One thing's for sure, though. I made the right choice and I had no regrets.

Whirlwind Sale in Abreeza

Abreeza, Ayala's first ever mall here in Mindanao will be giving an early Christmas treat for everyone! Get amazing deals and discounts from Abreeza from their first Whirlwind Sale from November 14-20, 2011. The entire mall will be open 'til midnight this November 19. How cool is that?

Aside from that, Abreeza has prepared amazing events such as the "The Gift Giving" bazaar from Nov 14-20. Sam Milby and Yeng Constantino, Princess Velasco and PUPIL will serenade the shoppers this November 15, 18 and 20 respectively.

What are you waiting for? Come and visit Abreeza for great deals and exciting events!

Abreeza Ayala Mall is located along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City.