Moving!

I'm moving house. Or should I say, sites? Either way, bye bye Blogspot. Hello Wordpress!

This change isn't because of some deep emotional issue, or generally, any issue at all with the site that has been enduring under my confusing blogging commitment. I'm talking about you, Blogger. I'm switching to Wordpress for simple reasons that I want to try the different themes and cool customization that I've been hearing about, and why not?

My book blog will remain with Blogspot (or Blogger?) while all the personal stuff gets a makeover at astoldbylyka.wordpress.com .

No worries, I'm not deleting this blog. Not only is it a precursor of possibly something more than I've ever done with personal blogging, but I'm just really that sentimental.

Blogger, it has been a pleasure sharing my private life with you. Now it's just books. At least it's still me. ;)

Long time no see

Life happens. Shit happens. Oh wait, they're the same thing.

I. AM. AMBITIOUS.

One of my favorite fine art photographers, Brooke Shaden, started a project entitled, I AM ME. 

One simply has to fill in the blank - I am _____ - and create a photo representing who you title yourself to be. Brooke hopes to promote not only passion in photography but also confidence in our faults and rarity through a self portrait. 

A couple of days were spent contemplating on what my answer would be. And sometime within those hours, it came to me that I want to be a published author, that I want to be a ballet company soloist, that I want to be a well known photographer, that I want to be a filmmaker, a director, a designer...because 

I am a dreamer. 

I AM AMBITIOUS.

It's not my best work, but it does bring to mind the idea. 

Satisfaction isn't usually with me because I've always wanted to improve, to be better in order to reach my dreams and get what I want. Doing so has never been easy. There are always roadblocks on my pathways, curtains to my windows. But despite all the fear and hesitation, I keep on moving forward, jumping over the obstacles. And I will continue to do so because I am ambitious.

Creating this photo formed a clearer image of what I want, who I want to be, and who I am.  

Thank you, Brooke.

Tomorrow is the first blank page of 365-page book.

This is long overdue but I took many pictures that I cannot let it go to waste.

We welcomed 2014 away from the heat of home. I believe it has become a tradition in our family to celebrate the New Year in Tagaytay. 

We left the busy streets of the city early morning on the 30th. I am not a fan of road trips, sadly, because of my motion sickness so I spent my majority of the car ride at the backseat with a headache. 

We stopped at Nuvali and ate brunch at the Pancake House - another growing tradition. By that time, I can't wait to lie on a soft, immobile bed and relax. My dreams were delayed though, by nearly an hour because of an intense bumper-to-bumper traffic uphill to Tagaytay. 

Eventually, we reached the hotel with me grateful for solid ground. The Lake Hotel's indoor pools amazed me and even better is their unlimited view of Taal Lake and its inactive volcano.

Still learning how to edit foggy landscapes.

Our room's got front row seats to this.

   

My siblings and I went walking the cold streets to neighboring restaurants/accommodations like The Inn Cliffhouse with its lake view and lanterns. Afterwards, we headed to Starbucks like the "tourists" that we are. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snap some shots because the 2-story establishment was literally jampacked with people and visiting Koreans. And my shutter was being annoyingly stubborn that night.

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one." -Brad Paisley

2014: New Year's Goals/Resolutions

Another year for a list of new resolutions that human beings tend to forget and ignore sooner or later.
For 2014, I hope to:

1. Earn thigh gaps. Includes not overeating and working out - two of which I am willing to do. 

2. Write everyday. I am becoming desperate to finish a novel. 

3. Learn more languages. Currently studying Danish. Hoping to learn French/German/Dutch this year.

4. Do the 52 Weeks project on Flickr. I gotta try. 

5. Perfect the needle position in dance. And a double pirouette. Generally means to be more flexible.

6. Get rid of my social anxiety. I really need to.

Check out my bookish list of goals/resolutions for this year.

Out and About

I have just gotten out of school on the 20th and was busy cramming all over again. It's like I didn't even leave my institution. At least I'm occupied with things that I enjoy and missed doing.

Slightly burnt yet still delicious, wicked oreos sprinkled with confectioner's sugar. Eaten during Sleepy Hollow marathon.

Only a few days were left before Christmas so shopping became essential. We went to church on Sunday, as always, then headed to the mall for lunch and personal errands. We ate at Teriyaki Boy. It was satisfying. I really miss eating there.

I ordered California Roll, miso ramen, and mango shake. Great lunch. (taken via iPhone)

It was every family member to his/herself - parents are taken as one - after enjoying ourselves. I headed to the department store first since it where most of what I need is located. Then off to the National Bookstore clutching a folded and crumpled paperbag. They should use the kinds with handles because it really hurts!

Anyway, I had hoped to buy a new book to read for the holidays but getting a 2014 planner is my top priority.

I had to pick between a lot of colorful planners and they all fit my criteria of spacious in terms of writing. In the end, I brought home the one with a calming, golden color. I've never been excited to fill it with my overflowing amounts of homework. 

I left the National Bookstore, this time literally hugging a huge handle-less paperbag, to meet with the rest of the family at Cache Cache to buy me a dress for the coming eve of Christmas.

As always, among the varying choices, I chose the one with blue and lace. 

Just before we left the mall, my sister and I stopped by Cupcakes by Sonja and bought 2 red velvet vixens and they are amazing.

We got home, took a few hours rest, then I went to work. Translation: Sat in front of the laptop, watched some series, wrote my ongoing novel, and surfed the net. I eventually went on to wrapping my gifts. 

It was one of the most exhausting yet fulfilling set of days. Before the holidays. 

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Emancipate

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emancipate (n.)
            
to free from restraint, control, or power of another;
to free from bondage

Only a few weeks left before January 1st and my emotions are in a whirlpool of different food coloring, meaning they are in a mess. 

I am honestly both afraid and excited for the coming of 2014. Mainly because this year I turned 13, what more next year? I'll be older, bringing extra doses of responsibilities, expectations, adventures, and opportunities - especially, photography opportunities. 

Based on all the chances I ignored and ideas I suppressed, I lack a great amount of confidence in myself and in what I can do because I am afraid.

I am scared of being judged, ridiculed, compared to, disliked, criticized, and neglected. I am scared to take risks and try new things. 

This fear is keeping me restrained. It is keeping me stagnant and overly cautious. And I am sick of it. 

I wish to emancipate myself from fear that keeps me bound to the walls of my comfort zone.

P.S. On a lighter note, the string I intended to cut, the one that symbolizes 'fear', is actually taped to our ceiling with masking tape. It was pretty fun to set up for this photo - the thread and such - and also refreshing to overcome my initial fear of my family finding out.