What's better than a long-awaited package?

...a long-awaited package that comes in a day early, specially delivered to your room. ;)

My sleepy eyes twinkled when I saw my special delivery boy with a huge box for a late night surprise. Suddenly, I was...let's just say I was alive alert awake enthusiastic! Yes, with the tune.=D It wasn't supposed to arrive 'til today, but tenenen (surprise sound)! The universe decided to be extra nice last night. ;) I knew I couldn't sleep without having tried my new baby out, so I just had to. Right away. No more time for pakipots!

isn't she lovely?

Our first attempt!

well, mostly John's, but I'd like to believe I was his inspiration. ;)

We obviously need more practice, but I say it wasn't a bad start. Except for the fact that he (almost) destroyed it, it went well. I'm giving us an A for effort, whoopeedoo! Now I can't wait to buy more printing plates and ink and cutting dies and pretty papers!!!

Oh the things that make me poor and happy!

oh so wicked!

Last Christmas, part of my wishlist (or I think my only wish) was to watch the broadway musical Wicked. So the Wongmom agreed to book me and my pseudo-Wong sister/tita Cattski tickets to the play since the Australian cast was in Singapore. It was my first trip for 2012, and I have to say, that trip set the bars high. The rest of my travels in the next months might just find it hard to compete with. ;)

I think I spent weeks recalling my favorite scenes and singing their songs in my head before I finally moved on with my life (i have letting go issues haha). Eventually, things went back to the usual--my daydreams went back to random stuff I find in the blogs that I read, and the songs I sang in my head were either of Pheonix, Adele or Jason Mraz. Yep, the usual.

Just recently, though, Wongmom and a few others went to Singapore to watch the same musical. And get this, they met the person who played Elphaba, Jemma Rix! I could feel myself turn green just by looking at their pictures on facebook. Homaaay! At the very least, I found an autographed booklet and a CD on my bed today. Consolation prize, but I'll take what I can get. :P

Best pasalubong I got today. It was a close fight between these and the Reese's peanut butter topping, but the latter didn't come with ice cream hihi. Finally, I have new music to listen to in the car. I think I should start memorizing the lyrics, so I could sing along on my way to work. Haha! Thanks Wongmom!

And to end this day of relived Wicked fever, here's to the wickedly awesome duo that is Elphaba and Glinda! my letting go issues immortalized on paper.

Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

(For Good, Wicked)

On Chasing Your Dreams Today

Yes, because it's time you stop looking for lame excuses why not.

Imagine the infinite possibilities if you took every chance that came along. Never mind the mistakes and failures, they are bound to happen anyway. You might as well make them count. Knowing that there is risk in every step to realizing your dreams makes everything worth it when you get there. Just you wait and see.

So, yes. To dreams. To well-deserved happiness. To life.

***I had this random idea of painting this blog post in water color. The original plan was to just post a picture of the whole thing para dramatic, kunwari you're reading a handwritten love letter, but it didn't turn out as easy as I thought it would be. So to save you from the hassle of deciphering the modern day hieroglyph that is my handwriting, next time nalang. :P

No Regrets

What could have been

wouldn't have made you who you are right now.

And who you are is beautiful.

<3

1 year and counting

Today marks my first anniversary as a packaging researcher. We have a love-hate relationship, my job and I, but I'd like to believe it's mostly love and just a dash of the other every so often.

I'd be lying if I tell you I'm exactly what my 10-year old self pictured me to be right now. I'm not a cool artist or writer at 22. Creating mock-ups of our products and making sure they look pretty enough for people to buy is as far as I can get to being one. Things turned out to be quite different, but it's the kind of different that I chose and have learned to embrace.

Thankfully, I have a boss whom I learn a lot from and colleagues who lighten up the mood in the office. And some days when I feel like my body just wants to shut down from the clutter of work that has to be done, I just look at my desk as a final refuge to tuck a smile on my face.

I've compiled pictures of people and places that hold an important part of my life and put them on my desk to remind me that beneath the piles of paperwork that make me go bananas are the reasons why I've never given up. I have my family, my friends and this crazy dream to travel the world. ;)