I have so much love for everything that has a camera on it! Shirts, accessories, bags, key chains, anything! I’d like to think it represents my hopeless drive in learning photography or maybe it’s still burning inside, I’ll never know. Wearing or possessing such items makes such a good statement to my very indecisive passions in life. I still have yet to figure them out.

I was very excited to wear this peter pan collar blouse in school. As much as I wanted to pair this with a skirt, our uni has a very strict dress code and I’m left with nothing but jeans to pair with instead. Kind of a mix with whimsy and edgy, does it? (Thus the title!)

Maybe that combination doesn’t work well but look when I found out when I won Maggie’s giveaway! These are Elise flats from Gold Dot! Aside from the Leopard print screaming “sassy” on my feet, the detachable acrylic appliques just gave more oomph to the shoes! I always had this love for ribbons but after trying on these gold triangle appliques, it just gave a more edgier look to the shoes! I might invest on some geometry-themed wardrobe in the future.

I’ve never won shoes in the past giveaways I joined so please excuse me for the excitement. And who doesn’t know Gold Dot? Well, you should because its products are proudly made in the Philippines. YAY for Pinoy pride!

Thanks Zeriko for taking my photos :))

What a great way to be two decades old! At first, I thought I was going to follow my planned schedule that purely consists of studying but a phone call kept me distracted and.. surprise!

My friends surprised me with everything chocolate! In the first photo are 20 crepe rolls made by Wendy and that super moist cake is from Ahlee! I feel lucky to have friends who make awesomely delicious food! Marky was also sweet in giving me a Whatta Tops cupcake! Hahaha! (Tzaddi and Kate, where were you during lunch? Meh~)

Haggard face ~.~

We decided to eat our lunch at Chowking and caught up with Jez and Rap. Aww~ Even though we only had a one-hour celebration because my class was moved to 1PM, still I’m very happy for your efforts. Thank you very much for that sweet surprise! I didn’t think there would be time for such because of our busy schedules with exams. (Thank you Sol for the photos)

I was also greeted by my blockmates and other college friends. During break, Cheng, Zeriko and I went to the IDS canteen and Sol, Tzaddi, Marky and Mark caught with up us. Good times, I tell you. Good times. I had my last class in Law which was also fun and memorable. Our teacher told us that our sacrifices in school are always lifted up to God and that we do these for no one but Him alone. I went to church after class to light a candle and prayed my Thank You’s.

By the time I rode the jeep on my way home, I keep on forming sentences in my head because I just had to post this here for keepsake. Cliche as it may sound, I don’t think adding +1 to your age is just a number. It’s more than that. It reminds me how far I’ve gone. And asking myself how far I’ve gone and how much I’ve used my energy in everything I do, I could say that, little by little, they’ve been paying off. I used to think 20 was such a mature age. Like I could graduate from college or get a job or get married. Like being 20 meant something big. But here I am, still in school, squealing like a little girl every time she sees something cutesy patootsie (anything relatable really) and trying her best to have a happy disposition despite academic struggle.

Over the years, I’ve had my share of experiences on being alone and misunderstood and some other teenage problems but the more the years passed by, the more I’m certain who my real friends are and they’ve sticked with me through thick and thin. I feel blessed for having such great people with me (aside from an awesome family). It is always quality over quantity. They have always been enough and the things I won from giveaways are bonuses.

I got home and my parents and sister sang me a “Happy Birthday” and hurriedly told me to go to the room and change clothes. I did not know that I was supposed to tell my sister that I’m done changing because she was doing this..

Sorry sister if the surprise didn’t work. It’s been a few years since I last had a birthday cake. Look how giddy I am! My family prefers celebrating birthdays just like this (only us) because our house is too small, there’s no space for all my relatives! (Also because my parents can’t afford to host a party. Someday, when I have my own work, we’ll host a big one every year!)

I’m very lucky to have such a loving and supportive ohana. (Not in the photo are my brothers who are miles away with their work) Game na game ang aking parents sa self-timer! Sorry for the plainness! Haha! Home is really where the heart is. I can’t thank my parents enough for being so understanding especially during this exam week where I’m still awake ‘til dawn using the laptop with lights on even though I’m aware how high our electricity bill is and when coffee easily runs out because I drink 2-3 cups everyday. My parents have never EVER put pressure on my schooling even if they know that my grades aren’t that great.

Thank you also to Zeriko for the big bag of Hershey’s Kisses and mini-notebook! I hate it when you randomly open my bag and put stuff without me knowing it.

That moment when you spend most of your time looking at the mirror, combing your hair over and over again to make sure they’re in place, tying, twisting your hair just to achieve that hairstyle you want.. And when you get it right, you just want to take a picture of yourself or just stare at the mirror a few moments more, feeling elated that you’ve finally perfected it while your arms feel so sore because of the weight of combing through hair..

A long overdue thing.

The items I’m wearing (minus the shoes) are actually won from a giveaway! I owe it all to the lovely Rovie Divinagracia of The Bargain Doll and Rochell of Foxyfashion Hub!

I really don’t dig leopard prints but I think they’re just the kind of deviation I look for when wearing corporate attire and make it seem hip than having to stick with the basic black blazer and slacks ensemble. Also a perfect outfit for evening events.

Thank you very much for the prizes Rovie and Rochell!
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