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August Don’t Cry

Published by Justine

This has been sitting in my drafts folder for about 3 weeks so I decided to suck it up and finally finish this entry. August surprised me in more ways than one. There was quite a lot going on and I’m happy to say that I’ve kept up with most of last month’s happenings with a sane mind, and a positive outlook (most days). The contrast between August 2015 and August 2016 is a stark one but I have noticed that August often provides me with a somewhat renewed outlook and a good head-start for the closing months of the year.

In retrospect, I drank a lot in August (and suffered its wrath). The beginning of the month started with a bar opening’s private party where alcohol consumption was almost unlimited, few days after that I flew to Manila for 5 days and drank every single night during that trip, then every single weekend of the month whether just spending the night at a friend’s watching football matches or even a bit more partying, not to mention random weeknights after work when friends were up for a nightcap–there’s is usually alcohol involved. I ended August by spending the last weekend out of town to a nice resort with my sister and friends and even though I felt like I didn’t drink much at the time.. I think all the alcohol that month caught up with me and upon coming back home I was out sick for a good 4 days, high fever and all. It felt like shit. That was last week and until now I can say I haven’t fully recovered yet. So I’m on an alcohol ban again for a couple of months or until I keep it up. Last year I was alcohol-free for 6 months, it should be much easier this time.

2016 has been good to me but I have to admit I am still struggling with some issues that I feel like I’m not making progress with at all. I always have these mental checks during the last two quarters of the year on how much progress I’ve made, mostly where I am mentally and emotionally. I might be a little hard on myself when I say I’m not making any progress but this is a way for me to keep pushing myself, I guess? Honestly I’m not even sure anymore. I am just pushing through and trying to enjoy life as it is, and be always grateful for what I have. I feel like even though you’re being dealt with lots of demons in your head, if you practice being grateful each day it helps with keeping those demons at bay.

The Sunday Currently, v21

Published by Justine

It’s almost the start of August! We’re officially in the 2nd part of the year so I wanted to make sure to put out one of these before the madness of the upcoming month.

READING
My WP drafts page. I haven’t been blogging much this month because I’ve been slacking off on finishing a couple of drafts. I’m in that phase again where I write so many things but don’t have a conclusion to any of them. It’s annoying because there’s a chance I won’t ever go back to them.

LISTENING
My July Spotify playlist. Time to open up another one for August!

THINKING
About events this upcoming week. Koko (our new puppy!!!!–haven’t blogged about this) is getting her shots this Tuesday; then going to a club opening on Wednesday and some stuff planned on Thursday and Friday that’s still kind of tentative. Bring it on I guess?

SMELLING
The Lemon Buttercream Hand Foam I used to wash my hands and arms with after playing with Koko before retreating to my room.

HOPING
To have luck on getting that extra income. Ya girl needs to get them paper.

LOVING

1. Koko!!!!!! We got her last Tuesday from a mutual friend. We were supposed to just check her out and think about it but the moment we saw her we absolutely fell in love and decided to just bring her home with us. I think if I decided to wait any longer I wouldn’t have been able to sleep. She’s been such a little ray of sunshine during my days and my heart is so full.

2. My new labeller (Casio Label Printer KL-60). I’ve been labelling all my things and it’s put me in such a great mood. It’s the best!

3. Today. I wasn’t supposed to go out because I wanted a Sunday at home, but my friends convinced me to and we had a good afternoon of coffee and laughter and had super cheap dinner. #SundayFunday

NEEDING
To really curb my shopping urges. I decided to take out the “WANTING” part of this series so that it doesn’t remind me of the things I want and instead focus on the things I need.

FEELING
Pretty okay and excited for the coming week, but I have to admit my anxiety is always lingering and coming up at the most random of times. I don’t like it, but I’m just going through each day and trying to beat it. Otherwise, how will I end up if I let it win?

The original Sunday Currently appeared here.

The Sunday Currently, v20

Published by Justine

THINKING
About how full I am and that I ate rice for dinner. I’ve been laying off rice for the past 2 months now but I couldn’t help it earlier tonight during dinner with friends. We decided on Filipino food and it’s just kind of impossible not to have rice with it. No regrets!

SMELLING
Sleep Lotion by Bath & Body Works in Warm Milk & Honey that I found in my mom’s room. It’s such a soft smell and so pleasant that I think I’m going to steal it from her and use it from now on.

FEELING
Generally good. It’s been a great week with a good balance of work, play, food, friends, and rest. Let’s use the #blessed hashtag for all its worth. I’m also excited because as of 5 minutes ago, I think I found a dog!!!! Gaaahh can’t wait to meet her and see if she wants us as her new family.

LISTENING
Drake. Drake is always a good listen.

LOVING
The weather this past week. Overcast with no rain but not too sunny either. Just right. It’s also my tonsillectomy’s one year anniversary so I’m overall grateful and loving the fact that I am living a life with no more tonsillitis. So happy.

HOPING
For my internet connection to get reconnected because it’s been down the past few days. We have two connections at home so I’m not too worried but this particular one is just for me and work, and the other is for the family.

WISHING
For a productive week at work. Good challenges, strategies and tasks are always nice for the brain.

WONDERING
If I should stay up/wake up for the EURO finals later. I’ve been good with next day highlights and replays of the recent matches I’m interested in. It really sucks to be a European football fan in Asia because the game times are such a bitch!

The original Sunday Currently appeared here.

Friday’s 10 Happy Things, v13

Published by Justine

It’s been a good week! Here’s why:

1. Boracay! In my 28 years of living, I have finally set foot in Boracay! I went with my ex-colleagues for their 4th of July weekend trip and it was overall a great time. There were about 18 of us and it was just a full 3 days of lounging in the beach, eating good food, drinking too much alcohol, and soaking in what Boracay had to offer, whether it was completely skin-burning heat or overcast skies.

2. Holidays. Even though I don’t work in an American company anymore, I took the 4th of July off for the Boracay trip and the 6th was another holiday because of Ramadhan. I got to catch up on sleep and recharge myself. Definitely much needed.

3. Puka Shell Beach. I fell in love with Puka. It’s about 20-30 mins by trike from Boracay White Beach and although the sand isn’t as white and crisp as Station 1’s, the fact that it wasn’t that populated, had such a great sea bed to swim in and really really clear waters made it everything for me. It was also so chill, a large contrast from White Beach. If I were to go to Boracay again I would probably choose to stay in Puka.

4. Thursdays at Craft. This has become a monthly thing for us and each time it doesn’t disappoint. Last night was another one of those nights to note.

5. Subway. Sadly Subway sandwiches don’t exist in Cebu anymore, so we made sure to get it when we were in Boracay. The whole group literally flooded the store and had a sandwich party. I’ve always been a fan of Subway and the fact that it’s unavailable in my city makes it all the more tastier.

6. Jonah’s Fruit Shakes. While we’re on the topic of F&B, might as well, right? Before I went to Boracay I had about 4 friends urging me to try Jonah’s. It was definitely good! But coming from Cebu I would say it compares to a lot of local fruit shake joints here.

7. This photo (the last one taken last night). When we took this photo we didn’t plan for it to be a yearly thing. It just became such an iconic pose for us that it became natural to do it each year. Looking forward to knowing how many years we can keep this up.

8. Burgers. I’ve been so into burgers lately it’s not necessarily a good thing but it makes me happy.

9. Erik Conover & Jessica Celements’ vlogs. I am currently obsessed with this couple’s videos. It’s so weird because I’ve been following Jessica Clements’ beauty vlogs for a long time now but I had absolutely no idea she had a vlog channel with her boyfriend. They’re just so positive and full of life, not to mention two completely beautiful people.

10. MY GLOSSIER STRETCH CONCEALER!!! No words. I have finally found the best concealer that works for me.

Random Questions Vol. 1

Published by Justine

I slept all day today (Wednesday, technically) because yay for holidays and I badly needed it. I was in Boracay with some friends for an extended weekend and somehow I haven’t recovered from it. It’s midnight now and tonight’s pre-bedtime reads included Racked. Came across this article where they asked Rashida Jones questions and I decided to do my own, following the same-ish format.

Favorite store in Cebu:
A bit challenging because the stores I like in Cebu are all chains–I’ve yet to find something I like that’s completely local. I’ll say Rustans because I’m basic like that.

What’s on heavy rotation in your closet:
These black dresses that I own, I have about 4 or 5 that I can wear just about anywhere or to any occasion. Mango and Pull & Bear makes really versatile ones.

Favorite drugstore beauty buy:
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer and Maybelline Define-A-Brow pencil. Both not available in the Philippines, sadly.

Favorite investment beauty product:
My NARS Audacious Lipstick and LORAC Pro 2 palette. I would say my Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder but I got that as a gift (that repurchase will soon be, though).

Top two comfort foods:
Indomie Goreng and Pork Sinigang.

Your karaoke vibe:
2000s hip-hop and Top 40.

Hulu or Netflix:
Netflix, because no Hulu here. Still, Netflix has better selection anyway.

What you’re currently binge-watching:
The last show I binge-watched was Kimmy Schmidt. I think I’m about to jump into a K-drama soon. Help.

Last book you read:
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, just so I could watch the movie. Not a big fan of both (prefer Moyes’ other books).

Favorite Cebu restaurant right now:
Planet Grapes in Ayala. Burger Joint in The Gallery (mostly coz I’m craving a burger at this very moment).

Best item on the menu:
Planet Grapes – everything on the menu is great, that’s precisely why it’s my choice of restaurant. Cebu has a lot of good food, but it’s only Planet Grapes where I can say I like probably everything on the menu.