(Her name is Suki. She's my new plant.)

I'm a new soul

I came to this strange world

Hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take

But since I came here

Felt the joy and the fear

Finding myself making every possible mistake

I have been a working girl for a month now. Get up the morning, eat, shower, put sunscreen and moisturizer then head off to BGC whereas I am raking through the streets of busy and trafficky Philippines. Adapting to this routine took me awhile but now I don't get to the office looking so very haggardo versoza.

I ended up having to try different routes going to the office to test what gets me there fastest and which I prefer the most. At first I have tried the dreaded Metro Rail Train System (MRT) which is known for it's ability to transform people into Spartans in the morning especially during rush hours. Of course, I'm not high standard when it comes to commuting. But you have to admit, when you have experienced riding in one during rush hours, you know the struggle.

Sisters gotta help each other, so my tips in riding the MRT for you are:

(I'm not an expert or anything but... this shit worked for me.)

• If you're in a morning shift, get there super early. Times like 4:30-6:30am, you can easily get through the platform. They haven't stopped entry yet. (This doesn't mean you can sit. You still stand. Unless you ride in one of the end stations. You still have to queue in the platform. But it's not that long.) Times like 7:30-10AM, there's a queue for ticket, for the entrance, in the platform. A LOT OF QUEUES. 
• Buy a stored value. Nuff said.
• Wear flats and get a bag that you can easily put in front of you.
• Be ready with your fan and face towel. Don't put too much makeup yet girl.
• Get some earphones and plug in One Direction or 5sos or The Vamps (idk if it's just me but)
• In my case as a girl, I don't usually like riding in the girl part of the train because ruthless people often are there (just kidding), it's much harder to ride in as there's a long queue. Also, it's a smaller space.  Ride in the all gender part. They move where the spaces are, side to side or what. But prepare yourself for the smell and the constant pushing. (Feeling like your insides are squeezed and you can't breathe for f's sake)
• I have been a very lucky girl for three consecutive days in the MRT, because when I ride it's always a skip train (a magical train with no passengers in it specifically purposed to take in people in the most populated stations). I traced a pattern which is when I get there around 7AM sharp and about 7:30-8:00AM (when the skip train comes), the guards would let in about a whole bunch of people inside the station but not yet at the platform. When the train is coming, they let you up and it's like 300 the movie. Be prepared. (This is not all the time, don't hope on this)
• If you're riding in Cubao (one of the most populated stations), get ready for shit to go down.

If you're riding in the bus, my tips are simple:

• Wear flats and wear something you can balance in.
• Be prepared with your fare
• Don't be a douche and let senior citizens seat in their respective seats at the bus which is at the front (even if you're a girl stand the fuck up)
• Be in the know of your bus stops and the route of the bus (I have one incident I rode the wrong bus and had to walk a loooong way to my next bus ride)

But alas, I have found my route where I'm most comfortable even though not the cheapest. Four rides = Jeepney > Jeepney > Bus > Bus. How wicked is that? Before, I am naive at commuting. I just ride on one jeep for my high school and college days. Also in my ojt's, the location's very convenient. But now, I feel so badass in commuting.

I don't care if this blog post is too long, but I have a lot to say... so my work. I am enjoying it so far. I am learning a lot especially how to handle myself in the frontlines. I am getting used to dealing with a lot of people on a daily basis (a lot of people are nice but not all of them). As my co-workers said, it's part of growing up. I am basically just thankful I have a job that I enjoy. Most especially I have a team and we get along really well as friends and at work.

Also, the thing about my work that I love the most is gaining the fruits of my labor and being able to give a little something for my parents. I got my mom's hair rebonded and my pops and I got a foot spa.

So that was a fun Mother's day treat. So yeah. Also, I just want to put it down to writing, that I absolutely love All Time Low's new album. Ugh.

Also, I am relating farely well to this song by Yael Naim.

Have a happy week!

Pola x

Tomorrow's the day that symbolizes a finish line.

After how many years of nosing through books, listening to teachers or professors drone on different subjects, school hallways, waking up very early and modest/tacky school uniforms, this is it. The red rope. Finally the backache days of my parents may be somehow coming to an end. Me and my brothers are all through with our education. I'm so grateful for the hard work my parents had had to go through to provide for us.

I cannot think of a reason for not being thankful that I'm graduating college. For all the teachers, friends, professors and everyone who was with me during this triumph. Especially, God and my parents who is with me, supporting me all this time.

Sad. Happy. Melancholic. Nostalgic. Exciting. Grateful. Thankful.

I don't know how I'm supposed to feel right now. All I know is tomorrow, I'll be made up and have to march in that stage to get that symbolic paper I've worked for in all these years. I'm proud of my school, how I had to work hard for my degree. I've had to learn to be resourceful, to sacrifice and to persevere really hard. Nothing in life is easy but try graduating in PUP and you'll know the struggle. The queues, the headache, some cold-hearted professors. :))

These times, you can't help but think back on all that you've been through and reflect on yourself. I've seen myself grow to this person and I'm so happy. Of course, I still want to grow into a more better version of myself in the future, but I'm glad of the way things turned out. Also, I never want to stop learning. I don't want my brain to dry out even after I graduate. Learning is a never-ending process in life.

I look back at my past irrational fear post of ending up in the kangkungan. Thankfully, that didn't happen. I'm lucky that I have a job waiting for me after I graduate. I took a chance and it worked out. Of course, I have people that encourage me even though I have doubts about myself and what I can do. The people that continue to build up my courage are the people that inspire me the most. I'm just so amazed by how things turned out, that God has an awesome plan for my life and I just have to have faith in him. Whatever he brings, in him I trust.

I have picked up a mantra that I tell myself, from the latest Cinderella movie.

Have courage and be kind, always.

I knew beforehand that it was going to be a jampacked day. But I was hyped.

I got at the studio very early(for filipino time)... And there was a lounge waiting for us upstairs with karaoke!!! *eep* I sang and waited for my friends.

The location is like a house-type with the first floor for costumes, accessories and hair & makeup stations. You could say it's a bit messy but it's alright for the likes of me. As long as the quality is good, I'm all for it. The second floor contains the lounge where the guests can chill and unleash their inner singer, the next is the studio. It's like a white room with a table and also props and of course, the photography equipment.

The staff were really nice and the HMU artist was game strong in eyebrow-ing. 

Also there's a full meal and drinks for the customers so you don't go starving. *the meal was rly good* (chicken with like a cheese sauce and sweet corn and carrots on the side.)

But we had an awesome time shooting. I hurried my friends to get changed to their creative wear for the group shots because if I don't I'M gonna be late for Ed. 

So here's one of the many group photos we took:

We haven't recieved the hard copies yet. We have to wait 30 working days. So around april 12 we can go get it. It's value and price is WORTH ITTT. I have seen the editing process and the staff makes you look like the prettier/handsomer version of yourself. The Toga pictures turned out great I just don't want to upload it yet. How about a BTS pic?

You can have unlimited number of shots though, but not too much. Just until you find the right angle for you. Also, if you make an advanced schedule, you have them for the day. And they'll focus on you and your group. :)

If you're wondering where LYC photo studio located, it's near the Pagoda Building along Bacood. Just take the jeepney from stop n shop/teresa and take the bacood jeepney. When you pass by the pink building (Pagoda Building) you're there.

*the photographer was real nice and keep on asking me to pose for another 3 more shots.. 2 more... 5 more... 1 more.. Haha!*

But alas!

I went home as fast as I could still wearing my creative shot outfit in the jeepney. * ALL FOR THE LOVE FOR ED SHEERAN *

When we got there we were so shocked because we were right at the topmost center of the arena. It was very high. But also very awesome. Especially when shared with equally awesome people.

I thank God for the talent he has given Ed Sheeran and I am so lucky to have witnessed and heard his music live. It riled up my bloodstream with unimaginable adrenaline as I was dancing fearlessly and never ending singing along to all of his songs.

I also love how the audience was so a part of his music in that stage. When he'd ask us to sing even though, off -tune. He'd have this cute british boy smile. It was an INCREDIBLE music experience. One that I'll never forget as long as I exist.

Why yes, I'm going to blog about this.

It's been almost a month since I saw them. This is how my February started.

Two days of pure unforgettable bliss.

I am an OJT of New World Manila Bay hotel. The minute I got down for my breaktime and looked at my phone. I saw an urgent message from my cousin saying, "THIS IS NOT A DRILL COUS. NASA DIAMOND ANG THE VAMPS. NASA POOL SILA." (Something like that) Of course, I panicked like a fucker. because that's just in the next hotel. I MEAN LIKE, just across the street from where I was standing!!!! Got out of the building and waited with fans almost till my break time ended. I went to the pool area, lobby etc. Unfortunately, they came out on the balcony... I just missed it. Well, it's okay.

I'M GOING TO SEE THEM LIVE TOMORROW.

Before going to the venue, we were all up and ready, in our concert outfits. We were talking about how much we all love them in my living room. It made us even more ecstatic.

In the joyride, we saw a huge electroboard featuring The Vamps and it all made us fall over.

SO. EXCITED. Yeah? Just by reminiscing I can feel all the feels.

Obligatory selfies before the concert!!!!

All emotions were heightened. Jumping on air happy. Excited-Ecstatic.

THEN THEY WERE THERE IN FRONT OF ME!!!!

Before, I just listen to their music on my iPod when going to school, ojt or what. (It always makes my morning feel so GV-fied) But here in these moments, I am witnessing them perform it live!!! I just can't believe my eyes. They're real. They're here.

*singing along VERY LOUDLY to their music*

(In my defense, the LIVE quality is just as glorious like the studio quality.)

*Dancing the whole night through!!!*

I recorded videos as well, but it's too confusing. Of course, I was jumping up and down and screaming the lyrics with my whole being. 

Note: My voice singing with it's whole power sounds like heavy metal.

 *I made The Vamps sound heavy metal.*

Eventually, all good things must come to an end.

This is an example of how we were after the concert. We just sat there. HAPPY AND SAD.

Feeling the Post Concert Depression coming on already.

Post-concert groufies.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!!!!

After the concert day, there was a CD Signing/Meet and Greet the next day...

My concert buds ditched class for that. The start of the CD selling is 10am and they went to school about 7am. I met up with them about 8-9am. We all feared we wouldn't make it. Because it was traffic and we didn't know how to get there.

By the time we got down on the bus, we were fucking running around Makati like a maniac. (BUT WE STOPPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE BECAUSE WE SAW A CUTIE AT THE MALL)

The line was fucking long when we got there about 1030am. Thankfully, Tita Cielo was there to line up for us. I thank God for her being with us that day.

We almost thought we wouldn't make it to the first 500 or so, but they added some more albums to be sold, so that more fans have a chance to meet them. I'd like to thank these people of course. They are the reason.

After buying the CD's, time to wait a little bit more.

We weren't in the first 500 but we were IN. We also had killer places. We were very close to the stage in the railings at the side. WE WERE LIKE 7 STEPS AWAY FROM THE STAGE. Our arms hurt afterwards because we were literally clinging onto those railings for dear life.

So waiting, waiting... then FUCKING LOUD SCREAMS.

THEY'RE HERE. PERFORMING CECILIA. READY TO MEET US.

Unfortunately for us, selfies weren't allowed. I don't know what the logical reason for the no-selfie rule. But yeah. So I wasn't able to have a picture with them.

BUT I DID MEET THEM FACE TO FACE.

I'm going to break it down..

Before coming up the stage, I feel like my knees were turning into jelly and my heart wants to beat out of my chest. Once, stepping in the stage I felt shivers everywhere. The first person my eyes automatically landed on when I got on the stage, was James. Even before I got to the table... But then it was my turn... I had a moment with each of them while they were signing my CD.

James: *grabs my hand even before I got to the table* Hi, how are you?

Me: I'm good. I LOVE YOU! Can I get a fist bump?

James: I love you :) *fist bump*

(Then, after James, I LITERALLY DROWNED WHEN CONNOR LOOKED AT ME STRAIGHT IN THE EYES. My heart was sucker punched.)

Connor: Hi! *signs my CD and shakes my hand*

Me: I love you so much dude! Can I get a fist bump?

Connor: Yeah!! *Looks at my hand then, fist bump* YEAH MANILA.

Then I linger for about a minute there, just drowning in his eyes and also because Tristan was busy eating Mcdonald's.

Tristan: Hello!

Me: Dude your drum solo was epic last night!!! 

Tristan: Aw, thanks love!

HE. CALLED. ME. LOVE. OMG. I DIED.

Me: BRAD! OMG THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU SO MUCHHHH!!!

Brad: *shakes my hand, smiles down then looks up*

Me: Can I get a fist bump? :)

Brad: *fist bump*

Me: I LOVE YOU!

Brad: I love you too. *saying it as he looks up at me, with his mouth slightly twitched at the side James Dean Style*

CUE THE TEARS.

This is me paralyzed with shock, shaking and crying after meeting them.

Cue the group hugs. We just can't believe that it was THEM in front of us a moment ago.

T____________T   :""""">

We had some ice cream and coffee afterwards and took a breath of fresh air before heading home. Retelling stories and laughing, A LOT.

Still feels so surreal.

"Never forget this feeling, Pola."

If you want to check out The Vamps Official's video of their stay here in the Philippines, check this video out. Btw, I saw a smidge of my sweater in the audience. Hahaha

xx

What-I've-been-up-to-lately post.

The fuss these days has been graduation, graduation and graduation. Recently we had our memorabilia photoshoot. I curled my hair in preparation but the stylists (associated with the photographer) straightened it. 

*Sorry nalang sa effort ko.* and the photographer keeps controlling your face making it some angle, i don't even know. A W K W A R D.

The blues are real. I'm telling you. I am sack of mixed emotions right now. Especially, because this week was a roller coaster ride. I went through so many shit moments, it's fucking unbelievable.

I cried my eyes out. But the next day, I am at it again. Note to my self: chin up always and smile. Shower people with kindess wheter they deserve it or not.

An also...