On Relationship...ts #1

When you finally find yourself ready to fall,

you better be ready to fight as well.

karla

Q: Where the hell is Matt? A: Dancing with Me!

First of all, you might be asking, "WHO THE HELL IS MATT?". If you are, click the link below!

"I never thought of stopping." - Karla :)

Just the other day I found out that Matt of www.wherethehellismatt.com was coming to Manila. He was inviting people through his Facebook account to go to the University of the Philippines to dance with him. I did not think twice. I just knew I had to go and just do it... DANCE WITH MATT.

My younger brother and his friends were apparently going too. Yey! I was not going to look stupid alone... well, I mean with strangers. :)

I was pretty sure some will wear crazy outfits. I was planning to do a Filipiniana theme with my brother Kevin to represent the country. Hey, what's the sense of doing the dance if you won't be able to find yourself in the video, right? However, due to me waking up late and being my usual uber slow self in the morning, I ended up grabbing the brightest shirt I saw in my closet and wore it. I thought I can just say "I'm the itty bitty girl in red.". Although right now, I wish we prepared better. It would have been cool if were in costume. I would have brought my own kalabaw there if I had one, or be in an Igorot outfit just so the country is well-represented. The weather was pretty cold and wet though, so using my emergency bahag might not be a good idea anyway.

On our way, Kevin and I got lost and went two rounds around UP. I forgot how large it was, and I didn't know they close some roads on Sundays. He and I were starting to get annoyed at each other out of frustration. When we finally got to the venue, we squeezed in the crowd of people already dancing, and learned the steps in a snap. I guess we just forgot how pissed we were about getting lost because we had to focus on not making complete fools of ourselves - at least not more than everyone else there. Haha!

The gang. I love his straw hat!

So we danced... in the rain. No, not the romantic kind with violins or a piano playing in the background, Matt handing me a rose as we glide in harmony in front of the College of Fine Arts building. He gave out directions and I'd say he was awesome at teaching to a bunch of people with mixed backgrounds in dance. That's the way I like it! Simple and straight to the point. I followed Matt's fun and crazy steps, together with around 30 strangers, counting and shouting with everyone which side we had to be in just so there's a dose of "choreography" in the video. It was really fun!

With Matt, wet! Good thing I was wearing a dri-fit shirt!

Kevin with Matt. I think my brother's "Matt" pose is better than mine. BOO.

I tried not to put rhythm or grace in my moves too. I found that quite hard since moving to the beat is something I always try to do. However, making myself look "awkward" is very natural to me, so I guess that helped.

My favorite part was the last clip, where he asked us to just get crazy - AND WE DID. Well, at least I thought I did. It was epic. I can't remember when was the last time I let myself go like that, it was liberating. And before I forget, I want to apologize to the people beside me if I have splashed you with mud during the crazy, do-whatever-you-want dance. I get super excited sometimes. Okay fine... almost all the time.

Groupies

I wish you get really rich and take some fans with you to travel.  *wink wink! MY IDEA. Hence, SHOTGUN!

JR with Matt!

Some tips if Matt is in your area and you decided to be part of his journey (and him to be part of yours):

1. Know where the actual venue is, parking, etc. My brother and I missed the first 2 parts and I'm kind of sad about that because we got lost!

2. Get there early!

3. Wear cool outfits. It would be awesome if you can wear a traditional costume to represent your country / city.

4. Have extra clothes just in case it rains. Or in case you sweat profusely.

5. Bring cash so you can buy a shirt and his book! I wasn't able to buy a shirt :( We were rushing to get to the venue on time and didn't have time to stop by an ATM. That was so stupid.

6. Let him sign the shirt/book. He will take photos with you, even dance for you. He is such a cool guy!

7. Let go and DANCE!

Matt is just a simple man, who saw the opportunity to go around the world. He's also SUPER nice. I had to leave earlier than Kevin and his friends because I had other plans the same day. After a few minutes, my brother called and told me they were driving Matt and his friend to the airport! That's super cool! And to thank them, I guess he just gave free shirts away. My brother was awesomeenough to ask for an extra one for me! I love my brotha! Thank you Matt!!!

YEY!!! Coolest shirt ever, and it's free!

Why the hell did I dance with Matt?!

I danced for my family, for my friends, for those who I hated and those who hates me, for peace and forgiveness, for stress and relief, for the blessings and the losses, the pain and the pleasure, for my past, present and future. I danced to let go of the regret and instead be thankful for whatever I've received and will be receiving. I danced for the awesome opportunities ahead. I danced for love. I danced like a lunatic for my 2011, for all the years before it, and for the next 75. I danced for the years after that, just in case I'm still alive. I danced for the adventures and the risks I will be taking. I danced to scare the fear away. I danced as I was grateful for still being grateful in that very moment:  Wet, tired and cold but felt very BLESSED. Lastly, I danced for the love of dancing!

Here's a teaser of the 2011 video, starring (from left to right) Chris, JR, Matt the Dancing Man, Moi and Kevin!

"...and BIG FINISH!" - Matt 

Matt said the full video, with all his trips from 2011, will be out around March next year. So watch out for our debut!

Check out the Matt links!

MATT'S WEBSITE: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com 

MATT'S FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Where-the-Hell-is-Matt/369964540488

To Do: Load up on sunscreen. (I SWEAR, THIS IS A MUST READ!)

On my way home today from work, I heard this being played on the radio. I was about to change the station but then the music and the words made me curious so I continued to listen.

This is an essay written by Mary Schmich for the Chicago Tribune for the graduating class of 1997. The video was made by Baz Luhrmann in 1999. I highlighted lines I find most interesting, but I like everything she wrote.

Watch / Read on. SHARE. I can't believe I didn't know about this back then. It would have saved me A LOT of trouble and drama.

 

Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young

Mary Schmich

June 1, 1997

Inside every adult lurks a graduation speaker dying to get out, some world-weary pundit eager to pontificate on life to young people who'd rather be Rollerblading. Most of us, alas, will never be invited to sow our words of wisdom among an audience of caps and gowns, but there's no reason we can't entertain ourselves by composing a Guide to Life for Graduates.

I encourage anyone over 26 to try this and thank you for indulging my attempt.Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97:

Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen. 

Sources:

YouTube Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI

Article - http://tinyurl.com/schmich-sunscreen

summer in november

 

Models: Elaine, Karla, Gabby

Location: Bagac, Bataan

We love the sun!

NEVER.

Here's a new song by Jason Mraz. It made me melt like butter on a freshly baked pandesal.

My heart broke and each piece turned into jello when he sang this here in Manila (yes I was there!!! anyway, more on that in a separate post hehe). I tried my best not to cry and succeeded. However, it was not an easy feat with my lips trembling, my hands shaking, and my heart vibrating in my chest. It was that fast - "pounding" is just too slow to describe it. I had to do yoga breathing a.k.a. ujjayi breaths throughout this song to calm myself down. I whispered "Oh Jason, here you go again."

After a few days, I stalked him on the internet trying to find the new songs he sang, the lyrics, etc.. I wanted to check too if he had Tristan with her that night. THEN I found out that they broke up a few months ago. I wanted to throw my laptop out the window because I loved them together. After a few more googling, I found this song and realized how honest it is, how true the lyrics are. I listened to it again while reading the words - he STILL loves her. That was when I shed a tear or two.

This probably is my new favorite piece from him. However, his version of I'm Yours from that night brought back my love for the song and how good it made me feel. So this one I say is a close second... for now :)

I recorded a video from the show but because it was such a large venue, and there was so much background noise, I decided not to use it for this post.

ENJOY!

"I Won't Give Up"

Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmm ...

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
So much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools, the skills we've got yeah we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we didn't tend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I got, and what I'm not
And who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

So easy is our life
What's mine is yours and yours mine
Hardly do we ever fight
We'd rather be kind

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get dark
I'm healing this broken heart
And I know I'm worth it

I won't give up on us
God knows I'm tough, I am love
We got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it

No I won't give up on us
God knows I've had enough
We got a lot to learn
And we're, and we're worth it

No I won't give up
No I won't give up 


ARGH! I WANT THEM BACK TOGETHER!!!!


www.jasonmraz.com

grateFULL!

I'm constantly thankful for every second of every day, for every morsel of anything and everything around me. 

I'm grateful for the wins and the bad luck, for the successes and failures, for the woohoos! and boohoos. 

I'm grateful for both ends of the rainbow, for the rain that brought it, and the smile it gave. 

I am grateful that I am truly blessed, that I could have just gotten enough, but been given so much more than what I need to survive. 

I am grateful that I wake up in the morning on a bed and not on the streets, in a room and not under a bridge, with blanket and not with a piece newspaper for warmth. 

I am grateful for my family, friends and enemies, although I'd prefer not to have the last one. :) 

I am grateful for all these blessings. 

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble gobble!

So you... what are you grateful for?

Woobi Woo... NAAAT!

from my sister-in-surf Chie De Leon's birthday @ Izakaya <3. white shirt. shorts. pumps. main accessory: RED LIPS.

 I love my red lipstick by... nope, not MAC. I'd love to have one, but I don't think I'm willing to pay that much... Hello, have you met Karla Kurips?

with my boys and Chie the birthday girl <3

The story:

I remember buying it because I needed red lips stat for a night out with friends. I walked in a drugstore, searched for the cheapest and reddest red lipstick I could find, grabbed it and rushed to the cashier. I didn't even bother looking at the brand. After months of using it, it was until someone asked me "Is that MAC's Ruby Woo?". It was then I realized I didn't know. I could have grabbed rash ointment accidentally and been putting it on my mouth for months. So when I got home, I check it out and saw it's Ever Bilena's Love That Red. Yes. EVER BILENA. I used to hate their stuff because I'd always breakout. Thank God lips don't have pores (hmmm, right?) I believe it's a local brand so that's a good thing too (Pinoys rule OYE!) --- waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper than it's well-known counterpart in the "pang-mayaman" range of makeup. Karaniwang tao lamang po. Patawad.

MAC's Ruby Woo - approximately 15 USD

Love That Red by Ever Bilena. Approximately 6 USD

*unedited

 off-topic: Check out my original Raven Slapwatch!
I love it so much I have 2 more in orange and white ! haha!
For those in the PH, get yours here.

Price? If I remember correctly it won't go beyond 250 Pesos (around 6 USD). Compared to Ruby Woo that goes for around 15 USD, this is a STEAL!

Does it stay as long? I won't know, I don't own a Ruby Woo hehe. What I can say is it stays on until that much needed bathroom break when you're out anyway.

Leaves your lips dry? Well, majority of anything matte has a tendency to do that. What I do is put on any lip balm or lip gloss first. After a few minutes when my lips "absorbed" the balm/gloss (ok fine, when I ate enough of it off my lips), I then apply the red lipstick. At least for me that does the job :)

Look at how much my red lips stand out of this photo! with my cheerleader friends :)

My take - If you have the money to spend, go ahead and get MAC. I just don't use red that much so I don't feel the need to get the expensive brand. Makeup expires too, so getting the cheaper version won't make me feel guilty throwing it out when the label says lifeforms will start to emerge and the lipstick is about to literally walk away from me.

So take your pick! If you are a Ruby Woo user and finds yourself feel happier with Ever Bilena, I accept donations! (ok...now I just realized how gross that is. d'oh!)

In this very moment I'm (going to be) King?! - 16.8km Adidas KOTR Triple P

a.k.a. Proof of Peer Pressure

This is to prove that I did sign up to run a 16.8k marathon. I felt like posting this so the truth hits me faster, and repeatedly from all directions until October 23. I really need to train and start eating better.  

Most expensive race I joined, to date.

I'm confident... confident that my legs will start detaching themselves and run away from me in protest of the abuse I will be subjecting them to for this.

Why the worry?

It will be a challenge since I'm used to running the 10-kilometer race category in every event. From the last one, (Run United 2) I can remember cursing silently at every guy that would run past me... and at every guy that would suddenly stop right in front of me when I'd be in the zone a.k.a. "nakakasira ng MONUMENTUM". I've been consistent in breaking my own record every time I join a marathon, but the 10th kilometer I find is where the fight-or-flee dilemma starts to creep its way in my head. 

Karla: "Okay, that was 9km already. Pwede na yan."

Karla: "That's 1 more kilometer. You PAID FOR THIS" 

Karla: "What's the point of finishing this anyway? You know you're not the fastest in this one, look at all the people in front of you. There will be another one so don't worry, wala ka naman sa Olympics. Sponsored ka?!"

Karla: "Hey, nakakaturn-off ka. Sayang that cute guy! Run after him!"
Karla: "Di ka papansinin niyan, have you seen yourself? Ahem, smelled yourself? Amoy araw ka na. No matter what you do, turned off na siya sa'yo"

...and a lot more thoughts to entertain myself until I get to the finish line. Apparently, this strategy works - I distract myself by thinking too much, then I'd just be surprised I'm done!

One thing I'm proud of from all the 10km races I joined - I continued to PUSH. No matter what.

But will I last for 6.8km more?! We shall see!

I also intentionally signed up for the "For All Nationality" category. I want to know how well (naks positive) I'll do against foreign runners.  Don't worry friends. I'll try my best to represent the short-legged girls of the P to the INAS...

From RunRio's Run United 2 (Aug 25, 2011). Notice the slightly enlarged nostrils, as I try to make it seem effortless.

Hey you have to appreciate... we work twice as hard, for the same distance, you know? :)

http://adidaskingoftheroad.com/ph/index.php

konichiwa! (Makeup and Lightroom fun...again)

Natural High

Another bonding moment with my red lipstick, eyeliner... and Lightroom!

I tried to connect with my inner geisha.

ARIGATO!

patched up

Sass and Bide

Darna Who?! - Aiana Lontok and Her Famous Elbow

...OF DEATH.

(Enter scary/suspense music. Jen jen jen JEEEEN...)

c/o Anya Ong hahaha!

*had to edit the caption of the 3rd photo, with corrections from Aiana herself* 

A re-post (and more) of my "investigation" on what happened to Aiana Lontok of the DLSU Animo Squad, in last Saturday's UAAP Cheerdance Competition. I may not have all the details, I only watched the routine online and talked to a couple of people who were there in Araneta :

"i watched the video on over and over again, i think I saw where it happened. yung all girls nag frontwalk and 1 collapsed (3:06)--was that Aiana ? i tried following her in the video (i think that was her na di na nagtumble in some parts of the routine after that accident). completely understandable because hello?? dislocated joint/s??!

the transition to scorpions (4:50-5:05). did a one-hand cartwheel instead of a frontwalk - Bilis lang lang mag-isip right!? then when she was she was spotting Iya, she held her arm pero todo spot talaga siya and focus! if it was me, baka umiiyak na ko sa side with my lagundi leaves as tissue! i ♥ it!

(talagang inimbistigahan ba? haha!) Congrats again everyone. I'm still high, but i can only imagine the current team- lagpas milkyway sa saya. WOOOT!"

Why this girl is AWESOMAZING:

1. She dislocated her elbow (at first we thought it was her shoulder) after about 2 minutes into the routine  

2. She pushed through the whole freakin' performance - spotted, caught, tumbled, flew. She could have stepped out and nursed her arm the rest of the time, but NO. She finished the whole thing - Halimaw lang. 

If you can't imagine how a dislocated limb works... well, it doesn't. Basically that limb would just flail around, like a dead plant. I don't know how she managed to make IT work. super awesome.

3. People are calling her a "hero" because if she had given up, the team wouldn't have placed, as a lot of stunts wouldn't hit without her. 

This was supposed to be the double cupie. she went up but dismounted early. (4:31-4:42 of the video above)
Photo by Adi Bontuyan






Aiana's xray (taken by her sister)

Aiana's on your left-hand side. OMG. Hello elbow!!! and I think this is one of the 2-2-1 pyramids where she had to catch the top most flyer...with THAT arm.

5:30 - 5:46 in the video: Im GUESSING this pyramid is the one on your left-hand side too, so see what are the transition moves Aiana had to do - Shoulder sit, POP to shoulder stand (yes, weight on elbow!), CAUGHT the top flyer and popped off. After that I couldn't see her anymore in the video. She worked through the injury THAT well. RESPECT.

OK so i confirmed it with the hero herself :) this is a photo of the transition to the double cupie, not the pyramid. STILL. For you to get up to this position? A flyer needs to push herself up, using her arms, against the arms of her base/bases.
Aiana confirmed that after this she went to the back of the pyramid and decided to spot instead of doing the backwalk in front of it. Great thinking!! If she pushed with her tumbling passes, she would have collapsed over and over. After that I couldn't see her anymore in the video. She worked through the injury THAT well. Still, RESPECT.
Photo by Adi Bontuyan

The team got in the top 3 (1st runner up)out of 8 universities. This barrier in the competition is pretty hard to break, and just getting 3rd place would be such an accomplishment already. The last time the squad got in the top 3 was in 1998 - a pretty long drought! The highest place the team ever reached since that was 4th, back in 2005 (the last competition for me since I graduated the following year already). As one of the alumni supporters, this is just a great feat and we are so proud!

Sabi ko nga, "...superhero talaga. walang sinabi si darna, na may assistant pang Ding para sa bato. Si Aiana MISMO ang bato! Lakas!"

From her interview with Inquirer- 

“I can’t disregard the effort that the team gave just to protect myself,” she told the Inquirer. “I’ll do it all over again for my team. We worked really hard every day and [we] literally [shed] blood, sweat and tears.” 

“Cheerleading is considered as a sport and I know that every squad trains as hard as the athletes from other sports—sometimes even harder,” she said.  “The UAAP should count us to make cheerdancers feel as important as the other athletes.” 

“I did not want to let my family and my team down. I did not want to give up.” 
   

 (Full article here)

For other team sports, like basketball for example - a dislocated ANYTHING means you sit down and not play. Someone else will be there to substitute, the game goes on. In cheerleading: NONE. Either you do it NOW and win, or you stop and wait another year to compete, wasting ALL the hours and efforts you and your team put in that single routine.

I bet if Narda - the regular, superpower-deficient girl - dislocated her elbow, she wouldn't have been even able to pick up the "bato" , put it in her mouth to swallow and scream "Darna!". She'll just scream... IN PAIN.

Here's a BETTER view of Aiana with her struggle against the Elbow of Death . Try to follow her throughout the routine from the first frontwalk at 2:31.

2:31 - 1st Frontwalk from hell. Aiana's the last girl on the left-most line of girls. She did not stop, even for a second.

2:39 - 2nd Frontwalk, and HELLO ELBOW

2:45 - She didn't do the back handspring anymore. 

2:50 - Did a cartwheel on a guy. Imagine "hugging" someone as tight as you can with an injured arm. She walks over to the next blocking holding it. I can only imagine the pain!

3:02 -  She front spots and CATCHES the flyer from the toss. OMG. She still did that? seriously? She even made sure the flyer dismounted properly.

3:34 - dance sequence with props. She's the last girl at the back, left-hand side. She was swinging the bolo and shield still? IDOL.

3:56 - DOUBLE freakin CUPIE. she got up but dismounted early. Completely acceptable. I can't even believe she was able to get up there! Then they headed to another dance sequence.. with those bolos... turning and swinging of dislocated elbow... I CRINGE.

4:13-4:17 - Running one-hand cartwheel, left-most. This was supposed to be a running frontwalk based on the other girls in the same line as Aiana. Watch her hold her arm before taking off, and after while she's spotting. She's  STILL SO READY to catch in case the flyer (Iya) falls. What?!?!?!

Ok after that I lost her.

Feel free to comment, I might be wrong in what I saw from the videos. I can't see all their faces! Would appreciate it if you can correct me, and I'll be happy to edit this post :)

TAPANG. PUSO. ANIMO.

Kudos to you Aiana and congratulations to the DLSU Animo Squad! WOOOHOOOO!!!

Photos: Adi Bontuyan- www.goarchers.com / http://www.facebook.com/adibontuyan

April Lontok

birthday suit

Two choices I had for my birthday salubong last Saturday. I love both but I had to control myself from buying both. haha! In the end, I chose the blue one - Classy and easy to run around in. Thanks to my senior sisters in the DLSU Pep Squad for being my shopping buddies via BBM. I love you guys!

Dresses from Una Rosa (di ako sponsored okay? hehe It's a new brand for me and I fell in love the minute I stepped in the store!)

Neckline bead work :)

*Although I still want the orange dress :)

Accessories c/o Greenhills Tiangge :)... all I lost during the party because I kept on dancing and jumping around :( Thank God they are tiangge stuff! To the Pep Girls - Thanks again!