5 Things That Secretly Make Me Super Happy

Well now, it's not exactly a secret anymore and I know this is random but, I just felt like making a happy list - because my morning plans were pushed later today and I had tea and had time to thank God for random happy things, haha!

1. When people think I'm an athlete or dancer, etc...

I have to hide my kilig face when people ask because NO, I am not an athlete and I am definitely not a dancer! There's a quote like that, I think. The greatest pleasure in life is being able to do what people say you cannot do - that also includes being able to trick people into thinking such! See, I'm the purple girl in the middle, wearing the volleyball jersey that isn't mine. Heehee.

2. Getting lots page views or comments on a blog :D

Or when people tell me that they love reading my blogs or that they can relate to this and that... or that they subscribed to the hidden e-mail thing. I get so, so awkwardly happy because it's one of my many secret dreams to be a writer! Shh... don't judge me.

3. Being super busy and stressing over worthwhile projects

My good friends know that I can't do nothing or be too chill - I have to have something going on. It's horrible, really but, I love it. I love good stress! The type that makes you bone tired but, heart happy. I'm sure many people are like this: they complain a lot along the way about all the hassles they have to go through for certain things but in truth, they wouldn't trade it in for the chill life.

BUT HEY.

This doesn't go for everything, okay? I'm not sadistic and I don't like emotional stress. Just the happy, healthy kind.

4. My Tiny Room/ Pseudo - Studio

I have the smallest room in the house that was once super tight because of my bed which used up all the space until I finally decided to sell it. I never needed a bed to sleep anyway! Haha, just kidding. Now, I have this little pretend - studio where I can make a big mess on the floor (or my cute Php 88.00 rubber mat that I randomly bought at Saizen) and stick things on the wall and stuff. Once my mom says anything that even slightly resembles an OKAY, I am going to paint the walls of my room - happy colors so that it makes me even happier than it already does!

5. Getting things WITHOUT having to work too hard

Forgive my horrible computer drawing skills, this was a random not - for - anything... thing. But, anyway. I always want to get better, be it at school or as a performer or whatever but, I imagine insta-results. However, I secretly love those rare times when we are spared from seriously hard work!

For example:

a. Getting a high grade even if you just shotgunned the whole test
b. When God magically plants a design in your mind. No sweat!
c. Giving the correct answer even if it was a total guess

There are many more moments like that - which I love BUT, I've learned that it's not good to be so spoiled. How will we handle tougher situations in life when we're so used to the easy route? As they say, "smooth seas don't make skillful sailors".  I have high respect for hard workers and everyday, I try to be one myself. Emphasis on the word TRY. Because as much as I love those awesome lucky moments and even if I don't want to work hard, I know that in this life I will have to. :)

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I may or may not have done this to remind myself not to let the stress of _____ get to me.

Either way... have a happy day!

Learning From The Best: My PETA Workshop Experience

One of the worst feelings in the world is knowing that you held back... or that you could have done so much better or so much more if you weren't thinking so much about being able to speak Tagalog well or whatever.

However, what's done is done and although I'm pretty disappointed in myself as I always am after a performance, I''m really happy about how the entire experience turned out. People enjoyed the show, yay! The audience was very responsive all throughout the play, laughing during moments we didn't expect and stuff. And all of us wished we could do the show more than once because it was just really fun! Here are some of my favorite photos from the show, taken by Karl Nikolai Herrera Emerenciana. 

Rochelle proclaiming her love to childhood sweetheart, Alfred...

"Bilang panganay ay na sa aking kamay
Sisikapin kong lahat ay maibigay
Sa aking ina at mga kapatid
Saka na ang para sa sarili, para sa sarili..."

 Rochelle telling Steven about the water problem and sneaky Diego eves dropping at the back!

"Bestfriend, please do not leave me to deal with this foreign suitor!"

Best friends forever: Myleen and Rochelle

The entire PETA workshop highlighted both our strengths and weaknesses. It made known to us the things we should be proud of as well as the things we should, well, be more patient with ourselves for. The different activities revealed excellent writers, composers, dancers, singers, comedians and all sorts of talents and skills  just waiting to be discovered.

Ironically, one of the main things I learned is that there is still so much for me to learn. The main reason I signed up for the workshop, aside from the fact that I miss performing so much, is that I was sort of desperate to get out of my comfort zone, to do something completely new and not me and to just grow, you know? Well, I should really be careful about all this growth stuff that I keep wishing for because God keeps answering my prayers!

 Our amazing teachers, Maan Upeng and Sir Jeff, really squeezed the creative juices out of us. First of all, I've never spoken that much Tagalog in my whole life. That's probably the main reason why my friends watched me - because nobody believes that I can. :( Hahaha half joke.

Eto na nga...

Maliban sa pagsasalita sa Pilipino, sobrang dami ko pang natutunan.

Okay, wait never mind.

But yes, I learned a lot. Now, I have so much more respect for people who've chosen to pursue the arts instead of going the safe route. I don't think I'll ever be that brave but, it's inspiring to know that people like that exist. Some are just born for it, I guess... Apart from that, I learned how humbling it is to be in a room filled with people who are far more talented than we are. Intimidating too, definitely. However, sometimes we need it.

We need that smack in the face, that reminder that we aren't as great as we think or that there is still a whole lot of room for improvement. Sometimes, we need to humble ourselves and allow ourselves to be taught by people who truly know more than we do.

Thank you to Maam Upeng, Sir Jeff and the whole CMT family for a super great and enriching experience that I'll never ever forget! To all those people who are looking for something to do this summer, I recommend this. Sign up for next year's summer workshop!

The Punta Fuego Gang

After a gazillion cancelled trips with the barkada, we finally decided to push through with our half - baked Punta Fuego plan on Labor Day. Even if we were an hour behind schedule and we forgot so many things... and food, gas, toll and everything else was sort of bahala na, WE HAD THE BEST DAY EVER.

It just goes to show that all you really need is the right company.

And I doubt I'm ever gonna get tired of being with these guys. :)

They're the people that got me through high school,

that make me look forward to random parties I wouldn't normally attend,

that are good with spending a whole night just watching That's So Raven,

that automatically assume the responsibility of taking certain people home,

and that respect me enough to delete curse words from their vocab when they're in my house.

HAHAHAHAHA

Congratulations on our 2nd summer trip!

Now, let's pray we all grow up to be very wealthy so that, we can book Europe trip for all our future families. <3

I still don't understand why the boys duct taped their hands to the bottles....

I love my friends. :)