awkward.
In so many ways it has been an awkward year. It began with me feeling awkward, not quite sure what I'm supposed to do. And it's ending that way too.
Certain circumstances made it that way and so I had to work with what I had. Ah, well. Despite feeling awkward about my own skills, my own place in this world, etc. I think that I've learned a lot. I've also gotten a stronger spine. I've learned not to always agree with everything. And sometimes I just agree to disagree with people as our opinions on certain matters are quite different.
This year I've traveled with friends and co-workers to different parts of the country. Namely, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan. I also went out to another province for a source camp without knowing for certain what I'd be experiencing. All those traveling gave me a different perspective on myself, life and dealing with other people. I've deepened my friendship with other people throughout those travels and I've gained new friends. Not everyone of them are here in the country though. But that's fine. Whatever they shared about their culture and their experiences is something I could take with me as I go through life.
This year, I've picked up a new skill. Well, sort of. It's sewing with a sewing machine. We've cosplayed with our own costumes this year. That was something really fun :) And I also sewed a plushie for a friend's magic show. It wasn't perfect but I'm glad he used it. That was a challenge for me and I'd like to make more plushies in the future. This interest in sewing is because of my growing interest in fashion. Started out with gothic and lolita fashion, as well as steampunk. But I'm also getting interested in Korean fashion because it's quite accessible to me. Some friends and co-workers who love fashion and crafting are always eager to to share what they know. We've been wanting to have days for crafting and as I've started learning about hackerspaces I think that we should probably have one too. Not just for crafting but for geeking out too since we're all geeks and nerds anyway. ;)
I also had Bell's palsy for a while. That was pretty awkward. Thankfully I didn't really have it for a long time. Though I can feel my eyelid drooping from time to time I just do some exercises to make sure it will be fine. Same thing goes for my mouth, when the muscles around it feel like they're getting stiff. But in general it's been pretty much ok.
Towards the end of the year, somehow I still feel like I haven't found my place, so to speak. But I've had quite a blast with old friends and new found ones. :) It wasn't a smooth ride at all but I'm with friends who have helped me solve issues I've encountered. That's why at the end of it all, I'm thankful. :)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Avatar was awesome~!
It was a visual feast for me when we watched Avatar at Glorietta 4 last night. The graphics was stunning! The movement of the characters, the creatures in that world, the world itself -- everything looked so good. And the background music was great. I love those elements in the movie.
As far as the story goes, I love the way that it focused on the relationships of people. Sure there was a lot of action going on. However what left a deep impression on me was that it showed how important relationships are. That it's beyond 2 people or a small group of people. Everyone's connected somehow. As a moderately introverted person, it gives a bigger picture than what I am used to. I'd rather be with a small group of friends and focus there. But you see, as time goes by I also realize that there are things that matter to the collective. And that there are things that you must thwart or retain in order to have some kind of harmony and/or balance in the community.
Another thing I liked about Avatar is that it reminds me to understand people more. I know I am closed minded and judgmental but I don't want to go to the extreme ends that those guys in the movie did. Tsk. They just wanted to gain something for their own good but not realize that there's so much harm for the rest. And for the rest who will be affected, I was encouraged to fight for the things I believe in. During these days, especially with the corruption in government and all that crap, I feel the need all the more.
So yes, I definitely liked Avatar. It had some flaws too but the overall enjoyment wasn't ruined for me.
As far as the story goes, I love the way that it focused on the relationships of people. Sure there was a lot of action going on. However what left a deep impression on me was that it showed how important relationships are. That it's beyond 2 people or a small group of people. Everyone's connected somehow. As a moderately introverted person, it gives a bigger picture than what I am used to. I'd rather be with a small group of friends and focus there. But you see, as time goes by I also realize that there are things that matter to the collective. And that there are things that you must thwart or retain in order to have some kind of harmony and/or balance in the community.
Another thing I liked about Avatar is that it reminds me to understand people more. I know I am closed minded and judgmental but I don't want to go to the extreme ends that those guys in the movie did. Tsk. They just wanted to gain something for their own good but not realize that there's so much harm for the rest. And for the rest who will be affected, I was encouraged to fight for the things I believe in. During these days, especially with the corruption in government and all that crap, I feel the need all the more.
So yes, I definitely liked Avatar. It had some flaws too but the overall enjoyment wasn't ruined for me.
This Year in Clair's Playlist
This year (and last year) as well I've gone to several gigs of groups and bands I started listening to. And there are local artists whose works have prominently been on my playlist. I mean, I think I've been mainly on a Korean electropop and Vocaloids binge while I'm at work but aside from those, I've been listening to the following Filipino groups pretty often. If you're following me on Plurk, you'd notice how many times I write about Up Dharma Down, Urbandub and Taken By Cars. :p On to the list.
Up Dharma Down
No doubt about it, the group Up Dharma Down really got me hooked on them. It's the combination of the lyrics, Armi's voice, the way they combine the sounds of their instruments and whatever effects they use. Armi's voice is just sooo awesome. Whenever I listen to Up Dharma Down I can't help but feel the ups and downs of being in love. Whether it's as if you're floating on a cloud or your heart has been torn and thrown away and run over, they make it easy for me to feel all these things with their songs.
Most listened to tracks from Up Dharma Down's albums: Sugarcoats and Heartbeats, Sana, Taya, Every First Second
Taken by Cars
I probably love them because of their upbeat songs. With this group I am baffled at how girly Sara Marco can sound and yet in some tracks she sounds, well, a bit androgynous to me. When it comes to live performances, I can't help but enjoy how much energy Sara has when she dances. I really like watching them live. So far.
Most listened to tracks: Uh-oh, Shapeshifter, Neon Brights
Urbandub
Why do I love Urbandub? Amidst the electronica I've been listening to, Urbandub simply stands out. Haha. Well, when I'm getting out of the electronica binge I usually follow it up with Urbandub. I think that their music contrasts well with how smooth a lot of Clazziquai and Humming Urban Stereo's songs are. When I want something that's more rough than my normal listening music, I instantly listen to the songs from their earlier albums. Their new album has some songs with lyrics which could be interpreted in more than one way.
Most listened to tracks: A New Tattoo, A City of Sleeping Hearts, Soul Searching
Razorback
I used to not like Razorback. Mainly because the band was all the rage in high school aside from Wolfgang. I wasn't quite into their sound back then. I think high school for me was defined by Color It Red, Side A (yes, I listened to Side A and I used to have the tapes), Joey Ayala, Eraserheads and Sugar Hiccup. Anyway, some co-workers and I went to the Eastwood gig of a radio station. Jam, I think. Razorback was there to perform some songs. They were simply AWESOME. I got the 2-disc thing they're selling in record bars. And I ended up *cough*downloading*cough* their greatest hits album. I was happy to see them in another gig in Saguijo last June.
Most played tracks: Giyang, Payaso, Paghihintay
Anyway, here are two groups I'm watching too:
Techy Romantics
I think my friends and I first saw them in the Taken By Cars video launch. They were upbeat and more into electronica, the type I liked so I ended up watching out for their gigs and their album. Locally, I don't really know many groups that have that electronica vibe that's just right to my ears. (Drip's trip-hop is pretty different too that's why I love them!) They make me feel like dancing when I hear them so that's one good thing, as far as I am concerned. Anyway, Dondi Virrey's DJ set was pretty good when I went to Rock the Riles this year. They had their album launch last week and I was lucky enough to get my CD signed by all three of them. Haha. Fangirl mode. Aside from that, I'm looking forward to remixes of some of their songs.
Fave tracks in the album "Touch": Out of My Mind, Get It On, 7 Years, Dance Like Lightning
Us-2 Evil-0
This group is fun to listen to. I love the way they play with words especially in the track "Mikey is the New Mong" *laughs* And then there's the song, "Super Poke is Nothing Compared to True Love" which is quite interesting in the way Mich and Quark sounded like they overlap. Then again, for me, that's the overall sound of Us-2 Evil-0: everything overlaps. Maybe like the way thoughts run so fast in our heads and tumble upon each other. And that's why it's fun to listen to them.
Fave tracks in the album "Dirty Debutantes": Super Poke is Nothing Compared to True Love, Mighty Heart Attack, Our Weekends Dissolve, Mikey is the New Mong
Up Dharma Down
No doubt about it, the group Up Dharma Down really got me hooked on them. It's the combination of the lyrics, Armi's voice, the way they combine the sounds of their instruments and whatever effects they use. Armi's voice is just sooo awesome. Whenever I listen to Up Dharma Down I can't help but feel the ups and downs of being in love. Whether it's as if you're floating on a cloud or your heart has been torn and thrown away and run over, they make it easy for me to feel all these things with their songs.
Most listened to tracks from Up Dharma Down's albums: Sugarcoats and Heartbeats, Sana, Taya, Every First Second
Taken by Cars
I probably love them because of their upbeat songs. With this group I am baffled at how girly Sara Marco can sound and yet in some tracks she sounds, well, a bit androgynous to me. When it comes to live performances, I can't help but enjoy how much energy Sara has when she dances. I really like watching them live. So far.
Most listened to tracks: Uh-oh, Shapeshifter, Neon Brights
Urbandub
Why do I love Urbandub? Amidst the electronica I've been listening to, Urbandub simply stands out. Haha. Well, when I'm getting out of the electronica binge I usually follow it up with Urbandub. I think that their music contrasts well with how smooth a lot of Clazziquai and Humming Urban Stereo's songs are. When I want something that's more rough than my normal listening music, I instantly listen to the songs from their earlier albums. Their new album has some songs with lyrics which could be interpreted in more than one way.
Most listened to tracks: A New Tattoo, A City of Sleeping Hearts, Soul Searching
Razorback
I used to not like Razorback. Mainly because the band was all the rage in high school aside from Wolfgang. I wasn't quite into their sound back then. I think high school for me was defined by Color It Red, Side A (yes, I listened to Side A and I used to have the tapes), Joey Ayala, Eraserheads and Sugar Hiccup. Anyway, some co-workers and I went to the Eastwood gig of a radio station. Jam, I think. Razorback was there to perform some songs. They were simply AWESOME. I got the 2-disc thing they're selling in record bars. And I ended up *cough*downloading*cough* their greatest hits album. I was happy to see them in another gig in Saguijo last June.
Most played tracks: Giyang, Payaso, Paghihintay
Anyway, here are two groups I'm watching too:
Techy Romantics
I think my friends and I first saw them in the Taken By Cars video launch. They were upbeat and more into electronica, the type I liked so I ended up watching out for their gigs and their album. Locally, I don't really know many groups that have that electronica vibe that's just right to my ears. (Drip's trip-hop is pretty different too that's why I love them!) They make me feel like dancing when I hear them so that's one good thing, as far as I am concerned. Anyway, Dondi Virrey's DJ set was pretty good when I went to Rock the Riles this year. They had their album launch last week and I was lucky enough to get my CD signed by all three of them. Haha. Fangirl mode. Aside from that, I'm looking forward to remixes of some of their songs.
Fave tracks in the album "Touch": Out of My Mind, Get It On, 7 Years, Dance Like Lightning
Us-2 Evil-0
This group is fun to listen to. I love the way they play with words especially in the track "Mikey is the New Mong" *laughs* And then there's the song, "Super Poke is Nothing Compared to True Love" which is quite interesting in the way Mich and Quark sounded like they overlap. Then again, for me, that's the overall sound of Us-2 Evil-0: everything overlaps. Maybe like the way thoughts run so fast in our heads and tumble upon each other. And that's why it's fun to listen to them.
Fave tracks in the album "Dirty Debutantes": Super Poke is Nothing Compared to True Love, Mighty Heart Attack, Our Weekends Dissolve, Mikey is the New Mong
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Color test for personality
Result of your test :
Your results present a correlation ratio with our model superior to 91 % .
( In a general way, a result can be taken into account if this ratio is superior to 30 %.)
Your Profile :
You are 44 % extrovert and 56 % introvert.
Independently of any order of importance :
You are creative, you always have new ideas, and your inspiration comes from the inside.
You are also able to have an in-depth thinking, you think before acting, and you know how to communicate your knowledge.
Finely you are dynamic, your actions are only directed by your own will and you know how to lead people.
Your attitude towards the environment :
facts
feelings
idees
At first, at 35%, you are centered on your thoughts and your actions are determined by your knowledge and your experience.
Then, at a rate of 33%, you are focused on the facts and on the reality, and your decisions are determined by your perception of facts.
Finally, at 31%, you are attached to moral values and feelings, and you have an emotional relation with the environment.
Your highest qualities today :
At 20 %, you are creative, you know how to see beauty, you are intuitive and your inspiration comes from the inside.
At 20 %, you are thoughtful and deep, you think before getting into action and you know how to communicate your knowledge.
At 20 %, you are dynamic and active, you are determined in your actions, you know how to communicate your ideals and your energy, and thus, you know how to boost people.
At 19 %, you are open and good communicator, you know how to attract people and engage them.
At 18 %, you are attuned to others and you show a good emotional intelligence, which allow you to give support to people.
Finely, you are intellectual and intelligent, you keep wondering and inquiring before setting up your next step or defining your values, you are a creative person, with always new ideas, and you know how to apply them.
Your results present a correlation ratio with our model superior to 91 % .
( In a general way, a result can be taken into account if this ratio is superior to 30 %.)
Your Profile :
You are 44 % extrovert and 56 % introvert.
Independently of any order of importance :
You are creative, you always have new ideas, and your inspiration comes from the inside.
You are also able to have an in-depth thinking, you think before acting, and you know how to communicate your knowledge.
Finely you are dynamic, your actions are only directed by your own will and you know how to lead people.
Your attitude towards the environment :
facts
feelings
idees
At first, at 35%, you are centered on your thoughts and your actions are determined by your knowledge and your experience.
Then, at a rate of 33%, you are focused on the facts and on the reality, and your decisions are determined by your perception of facts.
Finally, at 31%, you are attached to moral values and feelings, and you have an emotional relation with the environment.
Your highest qualities today :
At 20 %, you are creative, you know how to see beauty, you are intuitive and your inspiration comes from the inside.
At 20 %, you are thoughtful and deep, you think before getting into action and you know how to communicate your knowledge.
At 20 %, you are dynamic and active, you are determined in your actions, you know how to communicate your ideals and your energy, and thus, you know how to boost people.
At 19 %, you are open and good communicator, you know how to attract people and engage them.
At 18 %, you are attuned to others and you show a good emotional intelligence, which allow you to give support to people.
Finely, you are intellectual and intelligent, you keep wondering and inquiring before setting up your next step or defining your values, you are a creative person, with always new ideas, and you know how to apply them.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Share What You're Thankful For & Win a Planner
Are you a bookworm who's always looking for books at a good price? Or are you someone who loves writing and drawing in good quality notebooks? Well, it turns out that Avalon.ph has a contest for you if you're any of the above mentioned type of persons. It has been a good year for Avalon.ph and to share the blessings with everyone, here's a contest you could join. Win a Moleskine Colour a Month Daily Planner 2010!
In my case I am personally thankful that this year, I've grown to be more vocal. I've been usually very quiet even when I disagree with others. At least I am learning to say what comes to my mind and it helps me clarify some things especially when it comes to those that matter a lot to me. Some time in the middle of the year, I thought I lost my voice but it's actually there. Maybe it was the point in time that I was still trying to figure out how to say things. For me it's a big thing. Especially if you've known me when I was younger.
So yeah, that's what I am thankful for this year. :) It's a step in expressing honesty to people in one way.
What are you thankful for? Maybe share your thoughts and win a prize. Then again you probably are already winner because of the blessings you've gotten this year. ;)
In my case I am personally thankful that this year, I've grown to be more vocal. I've been usually very quiet even when I disagree with others. At least I am learning to say what comes to my mind and it helps me clarify some things especially when it comes to those that matter a lot to me. Some time in the middle of the year, I thought I lost my voice but it's actually there. Maybe it was the point in time that I was still trying to figure out how to say things. For me it's a big thing. Especially if you've known me when I was younger.
So yeah, that's what I am thankful for this year. :) It's a step in expressing honesty to people in one way.
What are you thankful for? Maybe share your thoughts and win a prize. Then again you probably are already winner because of the blessings you've gotten this year. ;)
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