Milan photo diary [part 3 of 3] - Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2014

A mandatory photo of me at the venue just so this trip grants me points for my CPE booklet (we need it to maintain our Interior Design license, haha!) 

Milan photo diary [part 2 of 3] - Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2014

The Salone del Mobile was the main reason why I traveled to Milan a few months ago [view part 1 here]. I don't really travel out of the country unless it's business-related or if I know I can attend a convention in the city [Instagram is deceptive]. This was my first time to attend Salone and I think every designer should go at least once or twice!

Milan photo diary [part 1 of 3]

It's simple.

shoes- Nike LunarElite City Pack, bag- Balenciaga, watch- Armani, coat and cap- Zara, dress (worn as top)- American Apparel, jeans- 7 for all Mankind

❧

You know what I've been feeling lately? 

Grateful. 

Yes, I have so much to be thankful for... but as much as I hide most of my work from everyone online, I know I flaunt enough for people to think that I'm living a good life- a bit of truth into it but I know I put the work in. And it's true, you reap what you sow but it's never instant gratification. 

I've battled enough bouts of sadness through the past couple of years but there's a huge pressure to be happy especially since I appear to have all the reasons to be content and happy. I try my best and there are parts of my life that aren't so ironed out but I work with what I have. I have enough faith to do better things and feel safe about my life decisions. 

There's always a huge pressure from inside me. People expect you to be a lot of things but the only thing that really matters is how you reach your own standards for yourself (if you have any).

So do I feel like I'm moving forward? Definitely. I had 2 months of self-doubt, of trying my hardest to keep from falling into that box of sadness. I chose to move on and I chose to notice what I had that others didn't. I know better than to wallow in self-pity. I acted on this grey area and hoped for the best. 

I'm moving forward in my career by taking up my masters in my dream city. A big deal for me but I have so much to prove and work on yet again. What are my dreams? I don't know, but I do know that I have a bigger calling. Cliche as others may think, I need to be able to serve others and provide opportunities for others as how others have given me the opportunity to do so much. The future is always scary but it makes me even more nervous if my plans don't shake me.

Every little thing in life leads to something bigger if you just allow it to. I'm not focused every minute of my life but I try to. I have fun for a reason, I get away for a reason. Do I overthink things? We all do. But we can choose the trajectory of our thoughts. I'm lucky I can now choose who and where to channel all my energy towards. A bit selfish but I believe everyone is. 

Never expect anything from anyone except yourself. That is the key to success and happiness. 

Your thoughts determine your life experiences. Keep your mind off petty things and focus on what you can do to improve yourself. Simple, really. Life is simple but never easy.

❤

Mt. Arayat- first major day climb [traverse]

Golden Gate + Sausalito + POFA

Castello di Amorosa- photo diary

Umm... I am obsessed with my GoPro! 

SNEAKERBOOTS

I caved and bought a pair of sneakerboots [after swearing off wedge sneakers for life] this week just because they were in my fave colour scheme. Really comfy but I can feel that they're too warm for Manila weather so I can't be walking around the neighborhood in these unless it's raining. I'm dying to get the men's version [Nike Air Max 90 Sneakerboot] but they ran out of my size at Niketown. Hoping to find a pair for myself before leaving SF! They run a bit small so I had to get a women's 8.5 instead of 8. Other than them being snug I love the WaterShield finish so I know they'll keep my feet dry for the rainy season.

Paired with department store jean leggings and a flannel shirt from Urban Outfitters. Wore this today (December 25) while looking for a place to eat with the fam. All the shops and major restaurants were closed plus the diners were packed so we had no choice but to eat at Carl's Jr. Being the only pescetarian meant I had to choose between fried zucchini, onion rings and french fries. As much as I hate the cleansing fad happening recently that's all that's on my mind at the moment- I have to detox and eat clean once I get home. No workout can save me from feeling like a deep fried ball of butter (frozen then re-fried) right now.

❤

122413

San Francisco for the holidays- day 1

Bali photodiary [part 2]

[read part 1 HERE]

Had late lunch/dinner at a really cool beach club, Potato Head. We had to line up for a good 30 minutes outside to get a table but it was worth it! 

Bali photodiary [part 1]

BALI, INDONESIA

October 1-5

Our villa was just PERFECT. White on white is just so ME! 

Photodiary- experiencing a hurricane in Tarak Ridge

Climbing Mt. Batulao [via iPhone]

Parrot's Peak, Mt. Pico de Loro [via iPhone]

Cagayan de Oro (part 2- RAFTING)

DAY 3- Extreme-level White River Rafting
(read part 1 here)

Cagayan de Oro (part 1)

A few of my high school batchmates and I decided to book tickets to Cagayan de Oro after Sinulog since my college buddies Ayen & Steph convinced us to visit while they were guests at my house. I've been to CDO before with the girls from PSID (see previous posts here and here) and I had loads of fun, so I was so excited to travel again with my childhood friends (most of us have been classmates from nursery til high school!). 

Our group had 3 girls and 9 boys, plus Ayen and Steph (who flew in from Manila just for us!)

I arrived with Kaine, Jed and Javy first and our flight was at 4AM. River trekking was supposed to be the first thing on our agenda, but we had to cancel it since the rain was so strong that morning. We even thought a storm was coming! Thankfully the weather got better at around 11. 

We waited for more people and had lunch at Candy's at the new Centrio/Ayala mall. 

Cebu/Sinulog 2013 photo diary

Kryz's birthday at the very chic Henry Hotel (formerly known as the House of Cebu)