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I might have permanently moved to WordPress and I want anyone who reads this blog to know - it's shootingscar.wordpress.com!

I post random things. Random, really! :)

Winter Morning: Looking for Alaska

(I thought I need to say this: Thanks to my sister who let me use her laptop)

I told myself ages ago that I am going to make a review of a writer or a book that I am quite into. Unfortunately, I’ve become a little busy doing my homework and assignments (acceptable excuse, eh? :))

Today though (finally!), I am making some commentaries, views, why do you have to read, etc., on Looking for Alaska by the amazing John Green.

If you want to an easy-read type of book, please read Looking for Alaska. I’m not saying that he wrote it using the simplest vocab, it’s just that he wrote it using the words that everyone could comprehend and empathise with.

If you are a teen and not limiting yourself from the world, READ IT! I personally think that if you’re a teen, whether dealing with social incapacities or not, the story of Alaska, Pudge, Colonel, Takumi and the Weekday Warriors and other characters are relevant to our lives (yes, WE - I am still a TEEN :D ) The book discusses a variety of human personality you could find in a school - the rich, the poor, the famous and the not but other than that, the book also analyses philosophical things that will leave our young but mature minds thinking.

If you like adventure, READ IT! In relation with the mentioned “not limiting yourself from the world.”

I think John Green is generally awesome. If you’re into YouTube, you could fine his and Hank’s channel, vlogbrothers (Hank, his brother, posts there mostly but you will also see and hear some personal John Green stories every once in a while.)

These are just some of my thoughts regarding the book “Looking for Alaska.” Please let me know about your thoughts about it as well!
And READ IT! Will you?

Into the Wild

I just realised that I haven't been telling much of the places where I and my family go. This was ages ago but it won't hurt to blog, right?

So, let's just assume that this happened a couple of days. Hehe. (but as far as I remember, this was a mini celebration of my brother's birthday)

We went to Australia Zoo to see some awesome living creature and to watch some animal exhibition.
Here are some of the photographs of the awesome creations we saw during that trip. Forgive me for not remembering the name of each of them but I'll try to recall whilst going through their picture.

He was the first one we saw.

"But knowing the law isn't everything."
- Anthony Burgess, Clockwork Orange

OZINE FEST 2013

Cosplaying/COSPLAY is an art form where anyone (whatever age you may be) may dress up as an animé character.
In the Philippines, cosplay has been a major part of some teenage lives as it lets them show their love and passion for animé. Also, it allows them to show off creativity as they engage themselves to thinking of how a costume is gonna look pleasing and very alike of those what they see on TV.

Here are some photos of a very good friend of mine Ackire who has been been cosplaying for the past couple of years.
This year, when she joined the Ozine Fest, she chose to be Sakura Kinomoto from Card Captor Sakura.

Photo By: Ivan Cantaros

Live and Love!

My Healthy Routine

I know there are other people like me who thinks that they are so unhealthy even though they are a bit skinny. Here, I am going to tell some of my healthy routine.

But before I start, please note that I am not advocating about losing weight or striving hard to have the "perfect" body. NO. Every body is perfect. Being fat is perfect. Being skinny is perfect. BUT BEING UNHEALTHY? NOT EVEN CLOSE!

1. When eating, if you think that you're feeling okay (not too hungry and not too full) already, leave it there (maybe?) Being too full is probably the source of not having a good stomach during the day.

2. If you're stomach is already feeling bad, it might be because you haven't ingested gas or moved bowels yet. But if it continues, drink TEA.
Tea is my favourite. But if you're planning to be a tea-lover (without the stomachache), I would suggest that you don't drink it right after a meal. I've read quite a bit about this and I found out that if you drink hot tea after a meal, your body will find it hard to absorb nutrients, or worse, not be able to absorb any nutrients. Drink it an hour or two after eating.

3. It's inevitable to feel hungry. Snack! Snack! Snack! Grab a yoghurt, put some bananas or apples in there!

4. Who won't suggest this? WATER! What I've noticed these days was that people are always relying to sodas. I'm not saying that this is bad but we have to maintain the water level in our body because it doesn't just help us digest food and create energy, it also helps the blood keep its liquid consistency. What else does water do in our body? I could go for a day naming them!

5. Walking, as everybody said is a form of exercise. Stretch your muscles and go for a walk. Don't keep yourself in front of the computer or laptop screen all day. Maybe if you're going to the supermarket, park to the space that's not too close to the market's entrance?

These are just some of my usual healthy pattern. I know some of them are typical but I'm still encouraging you guys to at least, try and do this. Being healthy is being awesome!

BIPOLAR IN A DAY

I just thought before starting my long night, I'm gonna tell you something about today. (This story actually occurs quite a lot of times so.. hehe.)

Has anyone felt like their mood in the morning completely changes during the latter of the day? That was what I'm on. It was probably because I didn't get enough sleep or maybe my randomness occurred.

I hope everyone is having a good start! Let's make this week awesome.

Defining size? Size is a definition?

I was checking out Huffington Post (one of my favourite site) to read some stuff. I came across this articles that talks about one's physical size. Read, thought, reflected.

I am 5" in height and about 42 kilograms heavy. I always say that I'm fat.. stuff like that! When I turned 16, my weight became a big deal to me. Why? Let's just say that I had my internal insecurities and I became scared of the judging society. 

Now that I am 18, I probably had one of the most tremendous realisations in life - I should not care of how small I am, I should have too much of insecurity.

Physically, I look so thin but whenever I face the mirror, what I always see is my swollen stomach. That mentality was wrong. I was so depressed because I was close to being 'stout.' I mean, who attracts stout? Who likes stout people? I WAS WRONG. I admit and I apologise to those who I have offended with my old thinking.I should care about what's going inside that tummy instead of what people might think of it. If that didn't make sense, what I'm trying to say was health over the tangible bit of the body is more important.

I used to feel a little awkward whenever being with my high school batch mates because I am usually the smallest. Sometimes, I feel ashamed of attending events because I won't get recognised because I am so short.

One time, I went to a fast food place to buy something to eat. Someone was in front of me, I was waiting at the back and then at the back of me was a pretty big man. It was my turn, I wonder why the cashier didn't serve me but served the man behind me. Then I realised, he didn't see me. I felt like walking away out of anger that time but I did not because I needed food! After serving the man behind me, only then he saw me. He apologised but I still feel a little annoyed. I was quite disappointed by the cashier but on top of that, I was much disappointed with what I look like.

After too much insecurity, reflection and self-exploration, then I realised: yes, I should care of what others think of me but I have to be myself in every possible way that I can. I am small, okay?

But hey, I've got brains and above everything, awesome mind and positive attitude are the most important.

People may have a small amount of right to judge but no one could ever define us by just looking at us.

Bullying can never and will never put us down because we are happy. YES, WE ARE HAPPY.

Movie: Life of Pi

I've been longing to blog about something! So, instead of saying my thoughts about what's been happening these days in my life, I'm just gonna talk about one of the greatest movies of 2012.
I'm not sure when exactly Life of Pi was released but I watched it just before the Golden Globes and Oscars so it is fairly justifiable to say that I am entitled to whatever I say in this review.

(Photo from Google Images)

Firstly, I would just like to say that I was very happy when Ang Lee was called as the Best Director at Oscars this year. I think I've achieved too much positivity upon hearing his name at that time. I must say, he nailed it.

Upon watching the trailer, we may think that this movie is about a tiger-keeping boy who had a bitter life in the midst of the ocean. No, it's not just about that. It's not just about having misfortunes and a tiger.
Life of Pi, as I think of it, is about faith, hope and trust. Pi's (Suraj Sharma) family was religious. From that foundation, he had the strength to face the pain and the misfortunes he had. The main character embodies a very optimistic and pensive being I personally admired. Yann Martel must've really moulded the characters really well(Sorry, I haven't read the book yet.).
The flashback effect fits perfectly to the story - how he is doing on the present time, how he sees the past and think that it was still a tremendous part of his life.


If you are the type of person who loves to delve into the emotional bit of life and human belief, you should watch this movie. But personally, I think everyone should watch it.

I won't rate it at this point in time but eventually, if I fully become a fully mature movie critique, I will!

Pre-winter

I couldn't believe it's winter already! It still feels a little warm inside our house but I'm quite liking it. The weather today is more like I-want-to-stay-in-bed or 'books + (maybe) tea' type of weather.

So, what is on? What is up?

Have I mentioned before that I've started college to learn Design? If not, then this is the time for it!

Yes, I'm doing something related with Design. I wasn't too interested with it before because I'm more of an Arts and Science person but as I get into it, I felt like it is interesting.

In this program, a graduate would be able to produce a good logo or an ad or just a plain illustration but that's not just about it - this program also permits a person to speak what's inside his/her head. As said by one of my lecturers, you don't have to be creative because when you're inside design, it will just come out naturally. You'll work hard for it of course, but the main thing is you tend to think, to explore, to believe and to create something.

It is good, I reckon.

I was scared to go in this program because I don't know how to draw! But my lecturers told me to not worry about it because everything that I need to do is in the computer itself. Okay, that is cool. No drawings!

Even though I've started the course, I'm still excited of the next lessons.

I'll keep everyone update.

Bye!

I'm lazy.

I know, I am! And it's annoying me. Haha!
What has been happening to me?

1.) I'm gonna study a certificate in a college this year. It's part-time. I'm a bit scared but it should be fine, I suppose.

2.) I chose Communications as my degree. It's not final (WHAT IS FINAL TO ME?) but I think it is for me. I just have to take time and do stuff in it and see how I goes.

3.) I'm 18 now! I'm happy. I think it was quite a tradition that people change or think like they're different when they turn 18. I'm not really sure if I'm under a transition or I'm still living like I was 16, 17. I'm happy though about it because I can do stuff I couldn't do when I was younger.

4.) I'm gonna bleach my hair again. The first time I've tried it with a friend days ago, it didn't quite work, although, I liked the outcome. Next week, I'm bleaching it again and apply colour purple.

5.) Magazines attract me so much especially my favourite "Frankie."

I'm really looking forward to meeting new people and doing so much this year.

Bye! :)

Bridget Jones

I just finished watching Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. It was the second film of the sequel Bridget Jones. As I've watched the first one, I didn't dig much deep enough to know and go through the characters but as soon as I finally had the chance to finish the second one, I find the characters really, very, fully interesting.

(c) Flickfacts.com

First stop: Daniel Cleaver (played by Hugh Grant)
Of course, Hugh Grant. What else can we say? With the sexy British accent and very endearing tone, I don't think anyone would be able to resist this boss. However, I don't think those women who look for true, long-lasting and serious love fit for Cleaver. Cleaver is not the man who would be contented sleeping with one lady. Yes, he is just after s*x. To be honest, I don't understand those just-after-sex people and since I don't thoroughly understand them, I'm not going to talk about it.

Secondly, Bridget Jones (played by Renéé Zellweger)
The main character, the socially awkward, the Bridget Jones. Bridget Jones is quite an awkward being, an unsettled woman who thinks and overthinks about almost everything in life. Whenever the film shows that she is heartbroken or feeling down, she just does nothing but get fat and be as broke as she could be. Sometimes, a little positive but most of the time NOT. I personally think that I've been through this but I'm looking forward to being positive all the time. Spending time with yourself, just feeling depressed can sometimes cause you to be smarter that what you usually were.
Bridget is a shy type, and almost filled with slip-up in the movie. But it makes her up - the awkwardness, the overthinking and the mistakes made her a little more intelligent than what she was.

Thirdly and the point of this post: Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth)
Colin Firth - I just realised that he is cute. Mark Darcy - I just realised that he is an ideal man, my ideal man. Nothing beats a man in a suit with a degree and an awesome, heart-melting smile (for me). He's just perfect, ya know? I think if I'm gonna have a man in my life, I would choose the one who's alike him - of course, the suit and the smile. Mark Darcy is a patient and loving boyfriend. There was this scene in the movie where he was saying "I love you" to Bridget almost in front of a group of teenagers yelling "lame" at him. To be honest, I'll also feel a bit unsettling in that position like what Mark felt. But whatever! What the heck? He just took the risk and even shouted "I love you" just to talk to Bridget. This Mark Darcy is truly irreproachable. I hope this type of man exists.

Changes: Bring it on, 2013!

It’s the New Year (Like 7 days ago but still…) I’m not going to talk about my resolution or whatever you may call it (I don’t usually follow them anyway). Instead, I am going enumerate the (hopefully) changes that I am planning to do this 2013!

First on the list and the most that I prioritise is.. I’m not going to let anything or anyone ‘cause me mental distress again (University stuff is exempted). But also, I won’t stress myself even more even though the point when I’m fully breaking down comes.

Physical Changes!

Changing the colour of my hair, I think I’ve announced this one to everybody. Other teenagers are like, I’m gonna bleach my hair today ‘cause I feel like it and I am like: this tremendous event needs a 3-month preparation!

Changing style, maybe? Old old me, can’t make it to the trend. I’ll try to mix and match, be myself with what I wear and make it possible to have awesome attire EVERYDAY.

Nails! Update them as soon as one gets broken.

Be more healthy, of course. Being fit and fab is something that everyone wants!

Update this blog more, of course. And finally, keep awesome people and things coming.

12-12-12

(Just assume that I posted this on the 12th of December 2012)
I wrote this on 12-12-12. It was on my desktop and I forgot to put this up here. Bunch of random thoughts.

12.12.12

I just thought, I have to do something different this day (Not put a status or tweet about it though!) Maybe, blog? As all living humans know, this day would be the last that we’d see repetitive dates. I’m glad I’m still alive, I’m glad I witnessed 1.1.1 , 2.2.2 , so on until 12.12.12. (Whilst writing this, I still have no idea what this blog post should be about.)

When I woke up from an afternoon nap, Mum gave me a letter. It’s so fanceeeey. It’s from QUT, what do I expect? It’s from their Engineering department and I was really amazed by it! And now I’m starting about Engineering. Goodness! When am I going to decide?!!!!

Last week was the first birthday of my laptop and 3^rd year of my phone. I would like to thank them for always being there in times of loneliness, pain, anger, etc.

I like this guy. His name starts with R. I shall elaborate this on my next next next post! (But from the day that I wrote this, my feeling slowly became upset).

Coolio, are you?

You’re cool. What does this phrase really mean to me? Mean to us? Personally, I think being ‘cool’ is something extraordinary. Extraordinary in my eye, of course! Maybe helping someone in a good way or figuring out something in a not so easy way. Yep, they’re cool. I just don’t understand why other people think they are one when they actually hurt or step on other’s foot. Let me share you a story. I’m not sure if it’s lame but that event was the one that provoked me to think about this.

The other day, we (me and the fam without dad) went to the Plaza to grocery shop and buy some awesome stuff. My sister bought the Harry Potter collection and I bought some chocolate. Yaay! After buying those, my sister bought the ingredients she needs for her Home Economics practical assessment. I decided to stay outside the grocery shop because I was asked to look after the other things we bought. I sat there alone. Bored. So I stood up! Oh, an ice cream shop 7 steps from where I was sitting. I bought cookies and cream, a happy kid indeed! When I came back to where I was sitting, a family (mother, daughter, son [I’m assuming they are siblings]) came to have a seat. The girl was about 7 years old and the boy was probably 10. He looked condescending so it made me think that he’s the elder one. Before leaving to go inside the grocery shop, the mother told the two to not shout and don’t ever fight. She left. Both of them were holding a plastic bag. The boy took out a pair of ballet flats; the girl reacted and shouted, “Hey! They’re mine! The boy didn’t do anything. Actually he did! He moved closer to where his sister was sitting. I think it was on her arm? He hit her. And using those pair of ballet flats, he hit her in the head. The girl just kept on shouting on him. He said, “Give me my shirt!” (since the girl was holding a plastic bag with his shirt) She gave it in exchange for her shoes. He held the shirt in his hands but didn’t give the shoes. He went back to his seat holding the flats. She kept on screaming. The boy dropped the shoes on the floor and told his sister. “Look! I don’t have it!” Scream. Scream. Scream from her. He picked up the shoes and using that, he just continually hit her. After every hit, I can sense, he’s trying to look at me so proud as if saying, “Hey, look at me. I’m suuuuuuuuh cool hitting her.” Everytime he tries to appear in my eyes, I deflect my view. NO. YOU ARE NOT COOL. What makes you think that you are some BADASS being so awesome violating your sister’s right to just be silent on the side? Seeing that, I started to question the mother – how did you raise these children? I probably asked the wrong question. How did the society, the people around them define what’s to be proud or not? Disrespectful much? PLEASE. NO.

I’m lucky (like what I always say). Even though I have a brother who’s nearly like that, he’s still a good man. Even though I have this huge gap between me and my parents, I know that I was raised really well and taught how to act privately and publicly. I know I’m that “Hey, I’m cool” person but not in a way that that boy has shown. And even though I know that I am a little bit annoying (I feel it myself!) I know, somehow, I’m cool in my own way.

I love my cool friends – they always there for me, I know that even I annoy them, I still find myself being in that position where I am advised by them and majority of them are God-fearing people. I love my cool sister. She does the same – being with me through ups and downs, taking a photo with our seedy/wacky/whatever face and letting me know that I’m loved.

Thinking History - University Dilemma

I wish I was good at everything. That's absolutely impossible, not just for me but for everyone else (but some people just excel on everything, I don't get that but there's a few). I wish I was like that so I could major to whatever I want. Yes. University dilemmas - why? :(

I think this blog post will contain pretty much what I've decided to do and my thinking history about everything in University. I have been accepted to my 2nd choice university. Yaaaap, SECOND. :( Then I'm gonna wait and see how my application to the university I've been dreaming of go.

I chose the double degree as my first preference. I'm pretty happy with it, however, WHAT TO MAJOR? Even though I wish to be a journalist, I don't think I have the capacity and patience to write, write and write. I'm bad at that. You can ask my English teacher, I am always in that 'just passed' mark. Why? Oh, why? I can take Mass Communication but the thing is, it's fixed mixed with Journalism. Knowing that, I took the alternative. Not actually an alternative but it appears to be one. FILM. Hey, it's still Media! Howevssss, I still think that I'm going to gain more success in Journ and MassComm. because it's such a diverse course.

If I don't get in to my first choice, then just take whatever that's already there - Nursing/Behavioural Science. Then maybe, explore for quite a bit? If I don't like it, why not move? It can't hurt and besides, why won't I risk one or two years if I know that this journey is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life?
I need to pray.

Coming Back

I forgot to be active. Something is wrong with me! This blog is my primary blog and this where I am supposed to be more active than any of my other blogs. I'm upset of myself, isn't that crazy?

What's been happening to me? Oh well, nothing much. I'm now on my second week to the last of my high school. Isn't that great yet sad? That's life - transitions and changes, I couldn't get rid of them, however, I'm glad they're constantly occurring. :) I'm doing my last assignment, yes I so bloody am! And I'm not gaining any progress. Hahahaha! Of course, I'm gonna leave it at the end and then pull all nighters - that's the way. Counting days to go, it's the graduation! 2 days after, it's the FORMAL! Yaaay! I'm even more excited for the formal, how's that? I should be active. I'm gonna be serious and then post photographs with the happenings in my life.

Bye!

Starting to Think

I'm starting to think about different stuff that let's say, suits me.
Here are the two that I'm kinda engaged into at the moment.

I'm starting to think about putting some summer-y jewel-ish coloured nail polish.

This colour is my favourite. ♡

I'm also starting to think that braids fit me.

A simple plat my friend did.

The "Katniss Everdeen Braid." Love this braid. I wish though my hair has a different colour for this braid to be visibly seen.

And this braid which I did myself *proud one here!* is the fish braid. Likewise, I wish my hair has a different shade.

I have a verrrr long hair and this is the only time that I made something out of it. Since it's the holidays, I started to try something new -- I google most of the time some cute hairstyle, simple buns, even the hard ones. I just hope things can work for me. SUMMER! =)))

Holidays and Goals

It’s the holidays!

I don’t think holidays need to be memorable but things that happened to me during the past holidays seem to be something I could not forget.

I had my very first panic attack. It was during my Year 11 summer holidays. I was a lazy bum and that probably happened to be the reason why I had it. I was just on my bed the whole time watching TV series. The second week (as far as I remember), I got a massive headache. I think I took 3 Panadols that day ’cause that headache won’t leave me alone. Then I felt like my legs are not okay, I couldn’t even walk! My muscles are like lousy and *adjective like that*. The night when I had it, I felt like I’m gonna die, like I don’t wanna sleep because I won’t live another life tomorrow. It sucked.  That was my story. And after that event, I decided to be healthy *OWWWWWW*. I usually walk nowadays and eat a balanced diet.

And for this holidays, I just thought, I need to accomplish stuff (ugh, like what I always plan (eg. Finish my Physics ERT *jokes, it didn’t happen, I crammed*)) But since I’m near finishing school and I’m not that busy to not accomplish anything, I should set a plan for these weeks.

1. Be healthy. Be healthy. Be healthy.

I know people think that I’m skinny. I’m quite am, but hey, I have fat legs and big stomach. Sucks, I know. I bloat A LOT. So maybe, losing 5 kgs. is an okay plan.

2. Decide. Decide. Decide.

I’m still not decided of what I want to do in the future or let’s say for the rest of my life — my university course. I have some preference that I think, I’m 90% into it but that is still not definite. Pros, cons, whatevs, I have to figure it out.

3. Books. Books. Books.

As I’ve been usually saying, I’m engaging myself to books now. So in this holiday, my target is to read at least 3 books. Yaay! Sounds fun fun fun.

4. Photographs and all.

My life, photographs, I need them!

5. Blog. Blog. Blog.

I need someone, something if you like to share my thoughts with. I know people are going to judge but whatevs! Libertyyyyyyy!