Back in the motherland

So I'm back in really hot weather. Just when I was starting to like the chill that was coming in. But anyway, I really have to keep reminding myself of why I am here. Again. So soon. I am hoping that I made the right decision and in the end it will all be worth it when I go back.
Aaw Sydney. I miss you already. With your fresh mushrooms at every single supermarket. *sigh* I guess I am on mushroom strike once again.

Whenever I leave Manila for extended periods of time, I come home with a fresh outlook each time. I said in an old post from my old blog:

"I find that I discover a lot about myself-personal and culture-wise when I am not in the Philippines. My philosophy is to take everything in from everywhere I go and then keeping what works for me and throwing out what doesn't. I realize when I'm gone what I love about the Philippines and what frustrates me about it. Travelling really opens your eyes. Any form of it, whether you travel by car to a remote mountain province or you take 3 airplanes and 2 buses to Argentina. It doesn't matter whether you are on a 3 day trip to Hong Kong or a year long contract in Greece, you are ALWAYS a different person when you return. You will always learn something no matter how big or small when you go somewhere away from your comfort zone. There is no such thing as too much experience, there is no limit to what you can go through and learn, and travelling juts makes it all the more intresting."

Travelling is my ultimate vice. I love it. I can't get enough of it. It is definitely harder to just drop everything and leave at this time in my life because I have a daughter and I am working on something that needs care and attention right now.

Everytime I come home I am afraid to drive. Moreso when I just came back from a country with right hand driven vehicles. I get disoriented the minute I am out on the road (It's the same when I go back to Oz. I always feel at first that someone is going to hit our car or whatever) My license is also expired already. Need to put renewing it on my to-do list.

Everytime I come home, I am also very frustrated at sales people when I go to the mall. Why do they never ever know anything about what they are selling? Why do they refuse to make eye contact with you and why oh why do they either ignore you or tail you so closely you start to feel claustrophobic. Just yesterday I had an annoying experience at a department store. I was looking at these gladiator sandals that looked exactly like the brown ones I have but in gold. I got excited because they were so cute.

Me: Hi! Magkano itong sandals na to?
Salesguy: Hindi ko alam eh.
Me: *Blank stare like hello so you're going to leave it at that?* "Pwede mo alamin please?"
Salesguy: *Looks around* "Wala kasi dito mga kasama ko eh"
Me: *Getting more and more annoyed by the second* " Wala ka bang listahan na pwede tignan" -without hiding the annoyance in my voice.
Salesguy: *Picks up a completely different shoe* "P*** po"
Me: "Hello, ibang sapatos yan. Hindi naman yan yung tinatanong ko eh"
Salesguy: *Gives the Crappiest excuse known to man* "Bago lang kasi ako dito eh"

----ARGH! I HATE THAT EXCUSE. IT'S NOT AN EXCUSE, BUT THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT REASON IS GOOD ENOUGH AND YOU'LL GIVE THEM A PAT ON THE BACK AND SAY "AAW, IT'S OK!"

Me: "Kahit bago ka. Dapat alam mo mga bagay na yan diba. O kung hindi mo alam, mag hanap ka ng paraan para malaman. Mawawalan ka ng mga costumer ng ganyan and isa na ako don." *Walked away*

So annoying!

I also miss not having shops with trendy and cheap disposable clothes-like Valley Girl in Sydney or H&M in London. I mean, we have high street brands here like Top Shop and Zara but when put in the Philippine context, they become expensive and over priced. I do love my Top Shop though-something we don't have in Sydney *BOO* I will miss markets on Saturdays. I loved selling at Glebe. I met so many interesting people and saw so much cute stuff. The second to the last week I was there, I snagged a mint green croc skin bag, an aqua suede purse and a white waist belt all for $5 from these girls who were probably getting rid of all their old stocks of vintage to make room for new stuff.
I miss hangin' out and talking with my sister! And my brother (whos not in the picture hehe) At the Sydney Airport. Wait. Who is Kingsford Smith? Oh wait, never mind I just Wikied him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kingsford_Smith
Ananda and favorite Aussie friend Xavi. Their love-hate relationship is amusing to watch. Minsan gusto mo pagumpugin! haha!
Vince! Geraldine! Can you guys come here at the same time so we can wreak havoc here haha.

It's still good to be home although Sydney is also starting to feel more and more like it as time goes by. I have lots to do here. I'm changing direction of Peace Joe and even the name (To be announced later! hehe) Got new set cards made so hopefully can start getting more advertising gigs. Had a job interview yesterday with HR of one of the publishing companies here-for a low position, mostly writing, exactly what I want right now because I wanna do other things, but have a steady income and still have time to do (The brand formerly known as) Peace Joe and make-up of course! I saw a shirt in Top Shop that said "WHY CAN'T I HAVE EVERYTHING?"

Yeah, why can't I?

Well. I can. And I will. :D

SPIDEY-SASTER

Dear Sam Raimi,

What were you thinking when you directed Spiderman 3?

No, seriously. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

There were just too many things wrong with the movie, I don't even know where to start.

* Did you fire all you make-up artists and ask the actors to do their own? Is that why I could see Kirsten Dunst's concealer all through out the movie? Or Toby Maguire's double chin *heehee*

* Was James Franco auditioning for his next movie role? or a toothpaste commercial? he didn't look well, he seemed more nutzo as Harry then as New Goblin.

* Was there an actual script for this movie? Because it seems like you gave the actors a general idea or summary and asked them to wing it. Parang sinabi mo: "O, ganito yan ha. Basta kelangan mag-aaway muna lahat tapos sa end, ok na lahat and hindi pwede mamatay si Spidey ha. Repeat, hindi pwede mamatay si Spidey! Sige, bahla na kayo. ACTION!"

*Furthermore, it seemed like all the writers were feeding off each other without asking for a second opinion.

Writer 1: :Wouldn't it be cool if he could wear a black suit?
Writer 2: Yeah He could totally be emo! With his hair just like this (Parts to the side covering one eye)
Writer 3: Yeah, and eye liner! And he could swagger! Make sure it's really exaggerated so people will get that he's turning bad ok!

It was like they played Mad Libs and that's what they came up with!

* That whole Toby Maguire strutting on the New York streets just went on too long. Is this Spiderman: The Musical?

That's just touching the surface. It was just really, really terrible! You know a movie is bad when you are laughing when you are supposed to be sad. I felt no sympathy or compassion towards the characters. Not even when James Franco died. And plus when Topher Grace went to try and save his symbiotic black goo, I kept thinking "My preciousssssssssssssss"

Through out the movie, you are just sitting there, shaking your head in disbelief that this movie actually made it out in the theatres. This is the worst movie I have seen in a long time. I mean, being a comic-based movie, I wasn't expecting Oscar-worthy acting but COME ON.

Please. No more weed when filming the next one.

Sincerely,

The Paredes Kids

Another Public Service Announcement

I am leaving for manila very soon and won't be back for awhile, so I am putting all my stocks on sale! ALL dresses at $25 (usually 25-60 range), all tops/cardis etc at 15-20 (usually 20-30 range) Designer stuff discounted if you buy more than one item (You can mix one designer/one not)

See you tomorrow 10 am-4pm Glebe Public School Glebe Point Road, Glebe.

If you like vintage, these are steals! I plan to sell them all to a vintage store in the city (whatever I don't sell) and they will most deifnitely jack up the prices 200-300 per cent!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEEEE :)

I had two birthday celebrations this year. One was last friday at Opera Bar and one was yesterday with my family. I was initially tamad to plan anything but Ala called and texted people about my pre-birthday "early" drinks at Opera Bar. I wanted to sell at Glebe the next day so I made them promise to have me home by midnight. I wasn't even going to drink that much!

Oh Well! :)

1. The Opera Bar Incident
It started out innocently enough with Ala, Mio, Vince, Trish, Nicole and I and a bottle each of red and white. I forgot to eat dinner so after a couple, I was already feeling a bit woozy and asked for some mixed nuts or something, just to make sure I didn't embarass myself at some point that night. Everyone started coming and giving me glasses of wine or pouring into my pre-existing glass and then it got to a point where I kind of stopped caring about being home by midnight, Glebe and anything else.
All in all, it was a good, well-deserved night out. I haven't had any since I got here and even before leaving Manila, I wasn't too keen on late nights anymore. I know. Lola. We ended up leaving around 1 am, and probably only because the parking lot downstairs was closing, went to Harry's in Wooloomooloo for hotdogs at 1:30 am and was home by around 2:30.
Needless to say, I didn't go to Glebe the next morning. I think I stayed home all day, recovering from my wino hang over and eating (rice!-argh, I've been so good about my no rice rule too!)
Other Birthday Celebrants, Nicole (May 6), Erwin (May 8), Ala, Inaki, MEEEH (May 7), Carlo and Jojo early in the night. Lisette, Me and Geraldine
Someone told my dad that he/she saw us at Opera Bar that night and was "disappointed" in Mio because he was drunk and seemingly popular with "the ladies" Well, I am his SISTER, Lisette is 8 years older and MARRIED and Lark is older as well and Miguel's sister! Anoooo baaaah!
With just enough alcohol and fun in our systems, we left and went to Harry's for ginormous hotdogs. I will miss my siblings.

2. The Birthday PIG-OUT!
So, on my actual birthday-yesterday, we decided to go to Chinatown for lunch. I was craving dumplings in a major way so East Ocean on Dixon was perfect. We devoured our food. I seriously haven't eaten that much in one sitting in so long. Hakaw, Siomai, Garlic Prawn dumplings Oh My! haha. Yum Yum Yum cha!
Ananda and I at the entrance of Chinatown after a yummy meal. She is a siopao monster!
As if that wasn't enough, we decided to walk to Darling Harbor in the guise of just hanging out. In reality, the Lindt Cafe is there and we wanted a chocolate fix. Of course, there was much camwhoring along the way. Our day would not be complete with out it.
The Paredes girls
Ananda and I right before one of her tantrums w/c I caught on camera! haha!
And finally, my cake! Made by Ala! And flowers from Boogie! He surprised me with flowers and a bottle of Absolut Kurant-w/c is Absolut-ly my favorite!
We ate at Trellinis (I think that's what it was called) in Castle Towers for dinner and by the end of the night, I seriously could not do anythign except sit and do nothing because I was so full from everything I ate yesterday. No regrets, only a few pounds mosty likely! haha :)

Looking forward to another great year ahead :) Peace Joes! And wish you were all there!

Sunny days!

We ended up going to Bondi instead of Bronte. We forgot to get the Navman and the E-tag out of the other car and we didn't wanna risk getting lost, so we decided to go to Coogee instead, a place my cousin said she could get to with no problems and my sister said she was more familiar with. We made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in Bondi. Haha.

It was a really good day yesterday. And since I haven't had a real summer in the past year (I was here summer in Manila last year and in Manila when it was summer here, and here again now that it's summer back home. *sigh*)it was nice to just lay on the sand and not do anything. Well, not really not do anything because we had two 3 year old kids running around, throwing sand and making sand angels, that we had to watch.

I asked Dada if she liked the beach and if she wanted to live there, to which she replied "With you Mama? Yes! Yay! we're going to live in Bondi!"
I didn't have the heart to tell her we had to go back all the way out west to where we really lived. Haha. So I bought her an ice cream before we went home hoping she'd forget. She kept asking me if we could go back again next time.
Chini, Moi and Ala. Picture taken by Ananda!


A FEW QUESTIONS IN MY HEAD:

1. Would you even think of working with a present bf/gf's ex? Or with an ex's new significant other (Depending on which side you are on hehe)
A. What if it was a job you really wanted and
B. What if you were totally qualified for the job?
C. What if it might help you in the future to get this job now?

Someone told me that it would a crazy, silly thing to do. Personally, I have never been one to put aside what i think I can do really well and what I really want for any thing or any body (within reason of course and without stepping on anyones toes) I know I can be professional about things and I don't hold grudges for that long. I physically CAN'T because I get excited when I talk to new people (hehe) So anyway, I am totally not expecting anything but I applied just because. We'll see. I don't know what makes me more anxious-knowing that I will most likely get rejected due to the circumstances OR thinking "what if I get accepted?" haha.

2. How do you work on trust issues? I have them in a major way. I know it's easy to say that just because some idiots did stuff to you in the past, you shouldn't think that everyone will and all that. But seriously, it isn't that easy. Yes, I do blame all my stupid, philandering exes who have turned me into this crazy creature, but since it is all over and done and they will burn in hell someday anyway, i would like to work on myself, because I am with someone who I know would never, ever do anything to hurt me in that way. And I wanna cut him some slack.

NOTE: I am not as crazy as you think. I am not one of those psycho girls that stalk and spy. No! I just know sometimes I can be a bitch about certain things.

3. If you were a single mom what rights do you give and responsibilites would you demand from your child's father? Are there things you should demand for? I don't like the thought of "relying" on him for anything but at the same time I think that as long as he is seeing his child, there should be some things to discuss.

I am not looking to be reprimanded, judged or get shitted on, but I really want sound advice from those who think they can give any. If you are or have been in my shoes then fire away.

My birthday is in 5 days. Ack!

JUDGE JUDY

I really dislike Judge Judy. I dislike the way she points fingers at the plaintiff and defendant and how she thinks she can tell people who they are based on certain actions.

But Judge Judy is not the topic of discussion tonight.

I was reading through an old blog entry from 2005 when I was going through a very painful break-up. It was a really difficult time for me and my only way of purging all the bad vibes inside of me was to write furiously in my blog. I wrote ALL my feelings on a daily basis and at that time in my life, I allowed myself to go through the pain of it all=no holds barred! I wanted it completely annihilated and for me the only way to do so is to let it completely go through you, no matter how gargantuan the task might seem.

So I did, and it was a daily dose of verbal diarrhea, if not more, for readers of my blog. I don't blog for your reading pleasure-although it is comforting to know that I am interesting or entertaining enough for people to want to read about on a daily basis. There was this one reader though who couldn't say anything remotely nice about me and my siblings.

After a particularly emo post, he left this comment:

"Things will not change for you until you change your attitude about life. Change in environment cannot and will not change your unhappiness until you summon happiness yourself.

Why do men leave? Because men are attracted to women who are naturally fun and happy, confident, lovable and smart. They do not like women who are
whinners, insecure, demanding and nags. They are like thorns on their sides.

Happiness is a state of mind! So, live in the here and now. To be loved is to love and to be happy is to give joy.

Do something more useful with your time like preparing for a real career. Make-up artists here in Australia don't earn much money working in beauty salons. How will you raise your child without nanny while working full-time?

These are real and practical issues you may want to really think about.

Good luck."

I was so upset with this stupid, judgemental idiot who thought he knew everything about my life and who I was. After a comment back from me, my sister and a few other people, he continued saying other things like we basically lived off our parents and we were so useless and all that.

First of all, I was so upset that someone whould be STUPID enough to think that being a make-up artist is NOT a REAL, credible, valid career path. Second, i was fuming at the fact that my family was being judged through BLOG ENTRIES and lastly, I was depressed at the thought that there are people this world who are moronic enough to treat other people like shit by verbally attacking them (or in this case-in writing) on their blog, telling them how to run their lives and what is wrong with them.

He also is from Australia. I actually don't know if it's a he or a she but it sounded like a guy speaking. After reading it, it made me wonder if he still reads my blog. I hope he's accidentally fallen over a cliff, drowned in the great barrier reef or mauled by a dingo in the bush.

I just got upset because I was reading thorugh my old entries in my old blog and I came across it. Ugh. Why are there so many stupid people in this universe? It is one thing to give pure hearted advice and constructive criticism and quite another to judge and put down another person-specially if you don't know the person.

In reality, I am in a semi-foul mood because of something else. Disappointed in this person who was almost like another brother to me. But oh well, shit happens.

Well, off to Bronte tomorrow. I think the two people I'm going with (Ala and Chini) really need a day at the beach.

Lisette, I know you will read this eventually, Sorry I didn't get back at you! Let's talk when I get back tomorrow!

A Taste of Heaven

Make that two big gulps!

1. I was fortunate enough to have gotten a flyer (from my mom's friend) of the YSL Beaute Warehouse sale. The minute I saw it, I was itching to go. The next day, we had no cars and it was all the way in Rydalmere. When my brother finally got home, I POUNCED on him to go with me. I didn't know what to expect at first and exactly how cheap I could get the items for, but I went anyway out of curiousity.

Oh my god. The second you get in, you can pick up a BOX to put all your loot in. Women were grabbing 3-4-5 boxes of fragrances, 5 lipsticks and packs of skin care products. It was nuts! As you all know, YSL is one of the luxury brands that don't care anything below $50 (Maybe even more)

I decided to be smart about it and not go psycho and start stuffing the box with random products. I came prepared and took out moved everything in my account to another except the amount I was willing to spend-$200. I fgured if it was cheap enough, I could get a supply enough to last me a year of work and if it wasn't, then I could get a few things and my most favorite Babydoll perfume for myself.

I ended up getting 4 foundation compacts (all perfect for FIlipina skintone for when I get back to Phils!), 2 glosses, 1 lipstick, that cute gold YSL bracelet w/ the three locket things that contain a lipstick, a highlighter and a gloss, In Love Again Perfume (My second favorite now since I smelled it. I was contemplating whether to get that or the Stella McCartney STELLA perfume but, like I said before, I like sweet and/or fruity scents.), A 50 ml Babydoll perfume that came w/ free mascara and nail/lip moisturizer 9A steal at $30! I checked Myer yesterday and it retails for $59 for JUST the perfume!) and lastly two eyebrow gels in different shades (for shoots etc)

I was high for about two hours after. I felt like I got my fix and I was good to go. And the best part is, I didn't even reach my targeted budget but spent way less! *sigh* Friday was a good day! It was my sunshine through the clouds and rain!

2. So, after the high I got from the sale kinda deflated due to the fact that as soon as I got home, I realized it was my turn to cook dinner and my previously marinated chicken was sitting in a bowl, waiting to be breaded and baked. Right before my mood was completely back to harassed mode, I get an sms from my friend Lisette asking me if I was busy the next day ..."If not, I am taking you to Max Brenner!" haha! I quickly replied that I wasn't. I didn't even want to waste my time going to Glebe because all reports predicted rains through out the day.

So yesterday, I restrained myself from eating anything chocolate because I wanted my Italian Thick to be special!We met up at Max Brenner in Parramatta and gulped down a Dark Italian Thick EACH and devoured a plate of strawberries with chocolate dip (as if the THICK hot chocolate wasn't enough) Between the kwento and all the chocolate, I was feeling quite happy again and ready for some (window) shopping.

I had great self control yesterday, I must say. I kept thinking that I spent over a hundred bucks the day before on make-up so I didn't want to and COULDN'T spend more than $25 dollars today (actually I didn't want to spend anything but I gave myself that because I knew I'd cheat anyway) Saw 2 cute dresses at Valley Girl, but nope, don't need another dress. Next door at Betts, I fell in love with a pair of red patent pumps-on sale for $49.95 from $90. But-NO, over my budget for the day. At MAC, I wanted to buy the LADYBUG lipstick I've been eyeing-$34 dollars. No can do. And besides, with my 30% discount at MAC in Paddo, I could get it for ten dollars cheaper.

On the way to finding my mom, I found this little store that sold cheap stuff so I decided to check it out. It was called Groove and I was able to get my Dessert Treats whipped cream on sale and a nice latte colored bag plus a little treat for Ananda, all for less than $25.

Mission Accomplished!

Went to a house warming in Annandale last night and I am jealous of the older houses with so much character. The houses in neighborhoods like ours are nice but all look the same! Hay, when I get back and decide to settle, I will get my terrace apartment.

It's a nice day today. We're supposed to go on another Family Field Trip but it's 11 am and most people are still asleep.

So cross that Babydoll perfume off my list. And Universe, show me the MONEY! hahahaha:D