A Glimpse of Project Life

Last weekend, I was invited to attend a workshop by Life Documented Manila - a little team of scrapbook lovers that sell super cute craft  products and share everything you need to know about completing your own album. I met 2/3 of their team at the #DesignHerStory conference some time last year.

That moment is quite hard to forget because, well, I had been following LDM for a while already so, when I saw them I got starstruck pleasantly surprised. I ran over there with a little too much excitement and introduced myself and apparently, they were also followers of Details Ink. The other participants simply walked past us as we fan-girl-ed over each other. Haha! 

Months later, I attended my first Project Life workshop under them and left, completely satisfied and just thrilled to continue the work I started there. Let me tell you all about it. Hihihi.

Wait, no.

Let me show you!

:)

We were asked to bring our own 4x6 photos but, they basically gave us everything else, including: 120+ printed cards and a 6x8 Project Life Album. They offered something called a "Craft Buffet", an entire table filled with stamps, stickers, washi tape, papers, inks that we were allowed to use during the session! I died. Hahaha. I was so overwhelmed with the choices, that I might have stood there and stared for over a minute...

See, I used to collect all these supplies too. I would hoard pens, and scrap book embellishments, and although I'd hardly use them, - because I was saving them for a special occasion that never came - just having them in my big box made me such a happy kid. Haha! And when I actually did have the time, I'd make things. Lots of things. I'd make super detailed, hand crafted birthday letters for friends, Christmas cards or whatnot but, my main use for those hoarded items was to decorate my yearly hand-made planner. Haha! I miss that. There's barely any time to fill up a store-bought planner nowadays. :(

My old planners look like scrap books. 

Some people may think it's way too cheesy or that it's a total waste of time and money but, I disagree. Completely. When I look back at those planners, I see tiny details of my life at that time and seeing it makes me remember. And that is why I love doing this. 

It's because I never ever want to forget.

That's one of my fears, actually.

I don't want to forget the things my high school friends and I would do during breaks, the people I'd run to when I hated life, what I really felt during prom night, and even that break through I had while in the bathroom. 

I want to remember everything.

That's why I thing stuff like this is so important.

That's why I keep a journal.

That's why I take my planner way too seriously, haha.

And that's why I really, really love Project Life.

Or documenting life in general.

Huhuhu Thank you Becky Higgins! <3

When I started my album, I couldn't decide on a specific theme. I never finished scrapbooks in the past because it was quite difficult to fill all the pages with "My 13th Birthday" or any one event. So, I thought of making a super general theme: something I could continue where I left off without worrying about consistency or flow...

My Project Life album is now my Happy Book.
Hihihi.

Am I the most boring person alive? Huhu.

But, yeah! It legit made me happy though.

I want to fill it up with moments of all kinds and I'd be able to look through it when I hate life and realize that I actually love it. Haha. In the workshop, I learned not to be so afraid to write on my pictures. So, I did. A lot. Haha.

I included the stories that those photos came with. Like in this one above, there was a mudslide in Mt. Batulao when I brother and I were up there so, we literally reveled in the dirt. We took are shoes off and slid down the hills, the way we used to when we were kids. Afterwards, we were dirty. It was gross. We looked gross. Haha! But we were so, so happy. :)

The photos above were taken on another adventure I had with Timo. This time, we went to Singapore. The photo below was taken when we met a few ladies at Little India who did our Henna Tattoos and told us all about the area. 

Simple moments like those are the ones I'd want to remember, actually. Good conversations, days and places that made me feel peace... stuff like that.

Another thing I like about attending workshops is that I feel so distant from my world. Generally, I love being in places when I don't really know anyone and no one really knows me. There's a little freedom in that. Strangely, it's in those cases where I'm more confident to talk to people.

I really love talking to strangers. Haha.

Anyway, my table mates were two new mommies! They seemed like they were very good friends. It was so cute. They were so excited about documenting the growth of their new kids. And I feel like I saw my future self... Hahaha. Because to be honest, I really feel like I'm gonna be the best mommy in the world. (haha sorry but, I'm really not joking because I really feel like that is my true calling haha okay goodbye)

I think I did an okay job as a Project Life beginner. Now the challenge is gonna be finding time to sit down and continue what I started and hopefully, finishing it. :)

Life Documented Manila is holds workshops regularly! You should check their site! Hihihi.

Thank you, LDM, for having me and for reigniting my love for this beautiful form of art!

Love,

#HappyKara

:)

On Conquering Mt. Pulag

These are some of the photos taken by my brother
During one of those times we played the game:
Let's - Pretend - We're - Photographers & Models

. . . .

The photos above bear absolutely no relation to the text that follows. 

Heehee.

. . . . 

A month ago, I discovered how easy it is to book a vacation online. (Don't laugh at me, I'm not a tech girl.) I've always known that it was something people did all the time but, I've never gotten around to actually trying it out for myself until then. It's the type of thing that repels people by disguising itself as something difficult - and as Filipinos say it, masyadong matrabaho - but life recently taught me that you can make great things happen, if you're patient with the paperwork.

After a few texts, calls, e-mails, registration forms and bank deposits, our mini vacation was all set!

When: 05/17/13 - 9PM to 05/20/13 - 3AM

Where: Mt. Pulag National Park, Benguet

Why: Family Time/ Bucket List/ Why not?

Via ClubTravelNow

You should totally book with them!

Everyone's goal is to reach the top.

I vaguely remember what was running through my mind during the four hour hike. At one point, I was thinking about the people I wanted to climb my next mountain with... The weird - looking wild plants were also the subject of my thoughts for a while, as well as the logs on the ground that resembled octopus legs... Water, food, sleep, the sky, the cold, the heat, my cousins, Dora the Explorer... those things came across my mind too.

But 90% of the time, I just wanted to get to the top. IT WAS SO FREAKIN TIRING. There I was, somewhere along the trail, in between my two siblings who were way ahead of me and my parents who were far behind, wondering if we were anywhere near the summit and breathing in and out like it was my sole purpose in life to do so.

You sort of forget all the other things in life that stress you out because for the time being, the goal is to make it to the top.

And oh my gosh, words cannot express how great it felt to have been able to get there - in one piece and just in time for sunrise too!

I probably overuse the world beautiful - the same way I abuse the words love and hate and favorite... but, it's probably just my underdeveloped vocabulary because sometimes, I really struggle to find an alternative word to describe something that's so... beautiful!

BECAUSE IT WAS BEAUTIFUL UP THERE. I LOVED IT AND IT IS  NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES IN LIFE.

. . . 

As I was taking everything in, I noticed that the mountains were as vast as the ones in New Zealand and that the air was as cold as the air in Japan. Distracted by those comparisons, I sort of had to remind myself that I was neither in New Zealand nor Japan.

I was here.

In the Philippines.

And that made me a really proud Filipino.

:)

Because our country is beautiful and I love it here!

Inspired by the Traveling Pants

Although I was never really fond of lucky charms and the like, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants could very well be one of my favorite movies - not so much because of the special pants themselves but, more of the stories behind each character.

As you can see, there are four of them: Bridget, Carmen, Lina and Tibby. Bridget's a soccer superstar and the most outgoing and fun - loving of them all. It's probably a coping mechanism for her mom's death but, who knows. Tibby's an aspiring filmmaker, whose rebellious, couldn't - care - less nature was challenged by an annoying 12 year old with Leukemia, whom she learned to love. Lina's an awkward, conservative writer and artist, just breaking out of her shell and finally, there's Carmen - who, having been left by her father, isn't the most stable person in the world but, is pretty brilliant nonetheless.

I just finished watching the movie.

Again.

And suddenly, I wanna fly to Santorini (or anywhere) and draw everything I see, write about all my friends, interview every interesting person I know and make a good movie (or blog) out of it, join a camp in another country and, well, send a package via FedEx. Haha, what is inspired!

Apart from making me cry really hard, the movie got me to think about all the things I want to do in life. Here's an exchange between Lina and some Greek guy... whose name escapes me.

"I'm jealous of her."

"Why?"

"Because she knows who she is."

"Don't you?"

"I know who I want to be."

I guess it's something to think about - who we are vs. who we want to be? I'm not quite sure where I'm going with this but, I can certainly identify with her. I know who I want to be. I know that... I want to be the type of girl that just flies to Santorini or the type that draws everything she sees and interviews people for fun and joins camps in other countries and uses FedEx to send stuff over. That type of girl.

It's not that I'm unhappy with who I am - which is the type of girl that falls asleep in clubs and holds private concerts in the shower and makes a billion lists everyday and enjoys stressing over projects and is incapable of completely chilling and intentionally does something new every week. I guess I like being that girl too but, please forgive me for wanting to, well, expand my horizons, experience completely new things, go out on adventures and just live more.

Exciting, right? Imagine where you are right now and where you could be in a year! It makes you think about your story and how much potential it has.

Anyway, I'll end this with a perfect line from a Natasha Begindfeild song.

"Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten."

:)

Concrete Love

For our additional work in Design class, we were tasked to select 10 of our favorite local structures, rate them and create a short write up about. Although I don't really have a single favorite building, here are the structures that made it to the list!

Henry Sy Building, DLSU

Rating: 9

In contrast to its environment, this building gives a modern touch and compensates for the lack of open space in the La Salle campus. Elevating the entire structure was a genius move - making the structure more dominant and less crowded/ claustrophobic at the same time. Some floors have indoor gardens which balance out all the concrete and that's just one of the many applications of sustainable design. 

The Mind Museum

Rating: 8

The Mind Museum is a crowd favorite - both the structure and everything inside it! It was designed by Arch. Ed Calma, one of the architects I admire most. Like many of the structures I love, The Mind Museum offered something different: a futuristic facade with openings and greens sprinkled in appropriate areas to break the heavy, metallic look.

PETA Theater

Rating: 7

Living next door to this wonder has been nothing but a privilege! From an angle, you'd see how the rehearsal/ office area connects to the balconies of the different floors, as well as the staircase that look so good with the effects provided by the glass and lights. However, looking at the building from the front, you'd wonder how an entire theater can fit inside. It's amazing how the architect was able to keep the balance while playing with different shapes and proportions at the same time.

Treveia Clubhouse, Nuvali

Rating: 8

This irregular structure really stands out in the fields of Nuvali. I actually love the entire Nuvali area - or any area where the environment is just as revered as the structure that stands there. But as for the Treveia Clubhouse, it really got my attention the first time I saw it and maybe because of its shape, strange proportions or downright weirdness, it made an indelible mark in my mind. And I mean that in a good way!

Ayala Museum

Rating: 9

Here's another crowd favorite! The Ayala Museum. This clean, modern look is a very familiar one to many people but somehow, this structure totally owns it. As if the look has been presented for the first time. The black tiles for walls, the glass, the walkway, the steps, the sculpture and the fountain... these elements make it obvious that those who thought it up really had a eye for design.

Church of Gesu, ADMU

Rating: 9

This is definitely not your average church structure. Usually, Catholic church designs take after ancient Roman architecture but, the Church of Gesu on the other hand, was able to pull off something a bit more modern. Being all while and irregularly shaped, this building really catches your eye when you go around Ateneo. It's different, yes. Beautiful, yes. And apart from all that, the architect was able to keep the design in sync with the purpose for which the structure stands.

Balai, Taal
Rating: 6

The location, interior and overall feel of this structure would most probably get a rating of 10. The surroundings are beautiful ; no question there and the bedrooms and living rooms are to die for. However, the external appearance of Balai is its only downfall. Aside from its pentagonal shape, which isn't even that noticeable, it's rather ordinary. It lacks a focal point or an accent, at the very least and for that, I gave it a 6. 

Greenbelt 5 Mall

Rating: 8

Greenbelt 5 is yet another Ayala masterpiece. Another beautiful structure that respects the environment and works well with its surroundings. If I'm not mistaken, Greenbelt won an award for it. Because of the beautiful landscaping and all the glass in the buildings that allow mall goers to see and appreciate it, people really feel one with nature. No matter how beautiful a building is, if people don't feel good when they enter, then all its beauty goes to waste.

Robinsons Magnolia

Rating: 8

The wow factor of this structure came as a surprise to many. During the construction, people didn't really expect anything out of the ordinary. But almost out of nowhere, a structure so massive started taking shape and once the park area was arranged, it transformed into a little piece of first class, right in the heart of New Manila. The variations in the ceiling levels, materials for the railing and even treatment for the windows all seemed to complete the mall's look and make it even more inviting. Such a treat for those who live nearby!

Trump Tower
Rating: 9

Now, here's a true taste of first class. Donald Trump has finally made his mark in the Philippines! This residential tower seems to scream high end. But how? What makes it different from all the other tall, rectangular prisms in the area? It may be the glass finishing, the lighting or even the accent bars that go through the whole building. Or it might be all the details, working so well together. Maybe that's what makes it a cut above the rest.

Updates + The Happiness Project

(Forgive me for the lack of a better title.)

For the past week, the internet's been down at home. It's really been working to my advantage though! I've been getting a lot of work done and even to my own surprise, I've been writing a lot. Way more than I do when I can actually use my blog.

Here's an entry from last week. I wanted to write about The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, the book I just finished, but I realized that I already did.

February 20, 2013

5:00 PM

Had I not brought The Happiness Project to school, today would have been a total waste. For most of our subjects, we’ve been working on our projects outside of school and coming to class to either submit or present our finished products. That’s one of the reasons why it feels like there’s so much and so little to do at the same time. Either way, I have more time to do things like jog and read books.

At first, I wasn’t too ecstatic about the book, The Happiness Project because it sounded too much like “The Adventure Project”, some long term, self – enlarging, uhm… thing I came up with two years ago, where I’d do something new every week in order to break boundaries and grow as a person. Something I should actually write about more. But now, if ever I blog more about my adventure project, everyone’s going to think that I got the name from the now – famous book by Gretchen Rubin. I'm probably one of the millions of people who think they coined a term themselves when in fact, it's totally unoriginal. Haha! Oh well.

However, after reading the first chapter yesterday, I was already so inspired – so much that I went straight to my desk and finished all my work well before 10 in the evening and even had time for a phone call. It was a pretty good feeling that I wanted to have more often.

That was last night. This morning, however, my alarms were set to go off at 5:30 AM, 5:45 and 6:00. In contrast to my efficient evening, I snoozed them all and got up at around 6:15 without any intention of rushing to my 7 AM class. I took my time to wash up, dress up and even eat a quick meal of pancit canton. Still enjoying the early morning breeze, I walked out my door and into the streets to get a jeepney and go to school and once I got on, I read.

And read.
And read.

The jeep stopped at my gate at around 7:30 AM and I got to my classroom feeling triumphant once again for somehow knowing that “yes, I can be late today,” thereby, earning a few dagger looks from those who actually took the initiative to wake up an hour earlier than me. Our Design professors weren't there yet so, I took my book out and read.

And read.
And read some more.

Gosh, it’s a beautiful book - the third one I read this month about someone whose dream was to become a writer. Hmmm.....

Gretchen Rubin writes about how she did lots of little things every day that changed her life – things like nagging less, reading more, tidying up every night, sleeping earlier and whatnot. My friend was right. It is my kind of book. Haha!

One of the things I realized I do too much is one, complain about school and two, use the word hate, despite the fact that I never really feel actual hatred.

I hate it.
I hate him.
I hate our homework.
I hate how they’re so useless.
I hate this.
I hate that.
I hate…
I hate…

Too much.

Although, in my defense, I also abuse and overuse the word: love.

When someone gives me yummy candy: I love you.
When someone tells me about a free cut: Really?? I love you!
When I see a cute kid: I’m in love.
When I hear a really good guy singer: I love him.
When I hear a really good girl singer: I love her.
When something good happens to me: I love life.

Okay, that might be a little too much as well but, it’s still much better than hating on everything.

So, inspired by Gretchen’s happiness project as well as the Lenten Season is another resolution: no more hating! From this day forth, I shall be cursed with a wave of guilt for every unnecessary use of the word... until I am able to find more better punishment.

After lunch, we submitted our homework for math and rejoiced at the announcement of an early dismissal. See what I mean by the total waste of a school day? We took the opportunity to work on our other video project until around 2:00 and then, I forced myself to jog.

Earlier that day, I told people that I would. Not so much to brag about it but rather, to make sure I get it done. It’s a tactic that usually works because I hate it when people say “I thought you were planning to… blah ,”or when I have to explain why I didn’t do something I said I’d do. But, it’s not like I really want to jog. I just want to have some form of exercise. Plus, I have absolutely no idea how I’m gonna survive running 5k at the Color Manila Nite Run this Saturday when I can’t even run a hundred meters straight without panting like crazy.

2:15, it was time to start.

Three rounds around the UST field.

Dead.

Man, I’m seriously out of shape.