Perk Me Up

R’s Perk Me Up Playlist 001

I’m not one of those people who you could call a “morning person” and an “anti-morning person”. I’m a little bit caught in between; there are some really good mornings that I found myself waking up on the right side of the bed, ready to take on anything. And there are some days are just really terrible and I’m questioning how I’m going to get through the day. Believe me, it’s a vicious cycle and it was not easy especially last year when I was a college senior.

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But whether you wake up sluggish, thinking every morning is unmotivating or you wake up with a thankful mood and have a good feeling about the rest of the day (even if those days are rare), it makes a difference to listen to something awesome in the morning. Coffee just doesn’t do it for me. I need something flooding my ears and it just shuts everything out to get me in that steady, feel good mood. Best thing to feel in the morning and awesome tuneage just helps a lot and just boosts everything up.

I’m not saying I have the best taste in music but I just LOVE every track in this playlist. It’s not my permanent Morning Playlist however these tracks have been on constant repeat every morning when I’m on the computer (I have a bad habit if getting my computer fix immediately before breakfast) lately. And it’s in Japanese. Japanese is the language I’m still learning and I have to admit I don’t understand every bit of Japanese in the lyrics but personally I have to say I’ve improved And besides, these songs in particular sound amazing! I simply cannot resist unique musical arrangements.

These bands are my personal favorites by the way and I highly recommend them especially to J-music enthusiasts. They’re all fantastic!

It kind of tells a story. Just listen and don’t overthink. Sometimes it’s the beat, sometimes it’s the words. No matter what, music is the key to creating positive emotions.

Happy mornings are awesome.

Kotobukiya Bishoujo Review: Marvel’s Rogue

Note: I was not paid nor sponsored to do this toy review. This is completely out of appreciation of the figure. Also you may click on the images for a high quality view of  the figure. Thank you!

Credits: Photography courtesy of my boyfriend, P.

This would be the second toy review I’ll be doing featuring statues from the famous Kotobukiya Bishoujo Collection. The last review I did was for DC’s Wonder Woman which can be found here and this time I’ll be featuring one of Marvel’s famous mutant femme fatales: Rogue from the X-Men.

Kotobukiya’s Bishoujo Rogue was the first Bishoujo statue that my boyfriend bought and the figure which I think made him enamored of the toy line and made him fear for his wallet. It’s definitely something new and pleasing to the eye and anime-styled superheroines were definitely something he and I could get into.

We have to note that Rogue was the first ever Kotobukiya Bishoujo to be released and this was back in 2010. But I have to say, Kotobukiya has come a long way since then and the sculpting designs for these statues have definitely evolved. Still, the Bishoujo Rogue is a fantastic first for the line and it definitely captured many fans’ hearts since its release.

The Holstee Manifesto

This is amazing! I would love to frame this and hang this on my bedroom wall. This is exactly the sort of written little inspiration and motivation I’d like to see everyday to keep working hard and pushing my limits each and every day. This is my new motto.

I Passed!

It was a lazy Thursday yesterday and a cloudy, vague late afternoon outside with a dull weather. I just turned off the computer then SS called. I thought he was going to ask something about our plans for today and I answer and he was asking “Have you heard?” in a flat voice. I absolutely had no idea what he was talking about. I initially thought it was the Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour coming to the Philippines or Muse coming. “Uh… No? What?” And then he said: “Congratulations! RN ka na! (Congratulations! You’re an RN already!)”.

Camera zooms in. Focus on the eye and the trembling mouth. Pans out a bit and sees a backside view of my hunched figure holding a mobile phone against my ear. Every noise dies down and then all at once the silence is broken because of my own voice “NO SHIT“. Eventually I sounded too crazy and nearly killed myself by falling down our treacherous stairs but there’s no other way to accurately describe how I looked except with gifs.

I thank the Force, the Lord, the Higher Ups, the Powers That Are. During the exams, it was definitely hard to not get your confidence level to not fluctuate and to prevent yourself from overthinking about the possibilities after the whole affair is over. I have a strong belief there’s a Higher Power at work here and it’s telling me something. I’ve had a lot of doubts about myself and constantly wrestling with my self worth but this is just something I am extremely proud of. Thank you!

The whole review process feels like I’ve been to hell and back but without my mother I wouldn’t have made it. Her unwavering support and love and understanding even if I bitch at her because of the stress and the anxiety, goodness, I can’t even begin how I’m thankful for her. All of my sacrifices and this success are for her! For all the heartaches she received in the previous years, this at least could make her really happy. And she was and could not stop saying to everyone “Take one lang! Take one lang!”. She told me later it was really a testimony that her hard work as a parent and provider paid off immensely and it was the best time of her life. I wish my dad was still here. It would have been priceless to see his face and hear his voice about this wonderful news.

P and my closest friends! Without P, I would’ve gone crazy while reviewing. He’s been such a wonderful companion throughout this whole affair and I’m so glad we both made it as passers! And my friends were always there whenever I needed tips, review materials, happy company to fight away the stress and for having faith in me. Without all of these wonderful people including my family, I wouldn’t have had the courage to face the daunting 500-item exam. Passing is my gift for them, one way of showing I would not let them down.

For those that didn’t make it and are planning to give it another chance, I admire you. Like I said, taking that 500-item exam against thousands of other aspiring nurses takes an unbelievable courage. It’s admirable to have another drive and to rise up after not being victorious for the first time and this just shows how stronger you can be. More importantly do not let faith in yourself and your loved ones falter. In most people’s cases, it is the one thing that keeps them going and a drive that pushes them to reaching their dreams. For those who are taking the exams again and for the first timers, best of luck!

When you go in search of your Personal Legend, the whole universe tries to ensure that you get what you want. – Paulo Coehlo (The Alchemist)

Valentine’s Day with the P

Fact: P is probably the only person I see spending the rest of my Valentine’s Day with in the succeeding years and he feels the same. It’s one of things things that actually feels like you’re forever changed by who that person is and what that person means to you, even after so many years.

What can I do with my happiness? How can I keep it, conceal it, bury it where I may never lose it? I want to kneel as it falls over me like rain, gather it up with lace and silk, and press it over myself again.

Spong-goodies from the most awesome boy in the world: P!

I’m a non-traditionalist especially with these kinds of things but I have to say receiving a flower from that person is a really fantastic gesture and gives you an awesome feeling ♥ He also gave me the most tasty egg pie in town to share with my family and it was sure hit with everyone. They took a few slices off already since they were so excited to try it once I came home last Tuesday night. He also gave me wonderful gift and he pretty paper bag which reminded me a bit of a Japanese origami paper was a very sweet touch.

The whole day was pretty much simple and fun in it’s own way. It was a day of being our usual “mall rat” selves, an eat-eat-all-you-can merienda buffet which left us really stuffed (we didn’t get dinner after) and a not-so-impressive movie in the theater: The Grey. We didn’t like it at all and the trailer looked so promising too and the fact that it had Liam Neeson in it. It wasn’t so bad as long as P was with me and was willing to be really kooky in public with me, so that’s pretty much alright.

I made him a Valentine’s Day face hugger card and my first batch of fried oreos. The fried oreos were really good! Very sweet but it was really unexpected that they’d turn out as I hope they would taste like. It’s a bit of a heart attack per piece but it’s undeniably good and it was fantastic with some cold vanilla ice cream. I’m so glad P loved it! He couldn’t believe fried oreos existed but they do and it was really worth it to see he loved it with much gusto.

This is a random doodle that I made for him and it’s probably one of his favorites. Both of us sipping our favorite Coffee Three (we pronounce it as KOHPI-TRI) from Quickly, one of our simple joys in life. We make a pretty wicked pair, I think and it’s absolutely fantastic I can be with someone that I can be mutually compatible with and yet we’re both so different in many ways.

I love you!♥  Happy Penguintines Day, Penguin Man.