Slowpoke is Slow: A 2011 Year-Ender Survey

I'm not sure about you guys, but 2011 for me can be summed up in one word: LEGENDARY! *yes, that is supposed to be said in Barney Stinson's voice*. So as a commemoration and a toast to the awesome year that has passed, I filled up this survey:

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
It's something pretty small but meaningful--celebrate an anniversary with a boyfriend. Yes, it's my first time. Don't judge meh!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Well, I kinda forgot my last New Year's resolutions...Derp. But I kept track of the ones I made this year, so huzzah.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A friend I met in college did! The dad's my ex-boyfriend/High school friend so I was updated.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Cloud, my family's 12-year old Japanese Spitz. :infinitecreyz:

5. What countries did you visit?
Sadly, none for this year. Just you wait, 2012!

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Motivation, time management, 3 piercings in my right ear, a Kindle Touch, better money-saving skillz

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
November 19, 2011. I've crossed out something on my bucket list, and that is to meet one of my childhood heroes: Barbie Almalbis!

My Thing For Music: The Local Band Junkie In Me

For more reasons than one, I'm glad I grew up here in Davao City. The environment here is relaxed, reflecting the city's every facet. So, surprise! The local music scene is exactly how the city is.

Despite Davao City not being targeted for international bands to rock out, local big bands have come to the stage. Here are some that I've attended:

accidental posing with Chicosci's vocalist, Miggy Chavez, at the CAP Auditorium

*12.18.09*

This Gathering: Franco band at Jickong's Bar, Torres

*10.23.10*

Attack of the South: Urbandub at Matina Town Square

*03.26.11*

(credits to Maritoni Nanini)

5x5 Artwork event featuring Up Dharma Down at Abreeza-Ayala Mall

*9.16.11*

Barbie Almalbis back-to-back with Franco at Abreeza-Ayala Mall

*11.19.11*

Through attending those concerts, my ears have been graced by the music of homegrown and emerging talents. To name a few, there's Jad Montenegro (who has already released two teasers of her EP, check it out!), To The Tune of Lilies (listen and download *for free!* their EP on their Facebook page) and Lost Tribe. There are three fellow Davaoeño bands/artists who etched their names in the Philippine music scene as a whole--eevee, Nescafe 3-in-1 Soundskool 2009 winner; Skeights, Pilipinas Got Talent Season 2 finalist; and Julie "Juris" Fernandez, acoustic group MYMP's  former vocalist.

For those who desire to have their music heard in events, there are Battle of the Bands held in almost every school; the Mix Sikat contest, sponsored by Mix FM Davao 105.9; and Killerbee FM Davao 89.1's Indie Night held every Monday. As for venues which cater jam sessions and walk-ins, Davao has Sa'Less Diner and Moozika, Lion's Reggae Bar and Plates, Durian Bar, and Matina Town Square (Taboan and Kanto Bar) with locations ranging from downtown to the south of the city. (Note: These are only some of the events, venues, and bands which Davao offers and not the complete list.)

For the listeners ('cos it's considered ~*hip*~ to support the local music scene and that includes me!), those gigs give out a most "chillax" mood. I find myself just sitting down and feeling all the tension go out of my body. I observe others, who are doing the same and who lazily chug a beer from time to time. Gigs in malls are comparable, minus the alcohol of course. But wherever the venue is, the vibe is more or less the same.

So if you're a Davaoeño searching for more justifications to love the city even more, drown yourself in the local music culture. And if you're a traveler who has just set your foot here, do just the same. Life is here, people!

Things To Ponder on Thursdays: My College Fiesta Experience

I'll strive to make this as a weekly thing, just so I've something to keep constant in my blog; not just arbitrarily posting bits of my ~*owsum lyf*~.

Anyway, the intramurals! The Ateneo Fiesta is my favorite school-wide event, since it entails fun fun fun and no classes (magic words for every student)...But that was back elementary and High school.

I'm not sure what's in college that made me indifferent to the flurry of activities. It could be the fact that I didn't really want to study here in the first place, or the course I was supposed to take up isn't the one I'm in right now. Whatever the reason, I just don't feel the whole Fiesta vibe the same way a few years back. Nevertheless, I joined the parades for the past 3 years. Photo time!

*1st year college. The theme was "Anime". Oh dear. I was still a BSA student.*

*2nd year! With the banner I designed.*

*3rd year, not wearing the not-so-nice div shirt*

But wait! Where is my 4th year parade photo/today's? Well, there isn't one. This is the first time I didn't join, since (1) I had prior engagements; and (2) I. Was. Too. Lazy. Tee. Hee.

It felt wonderful, really--not joining the parade. This is what I've been missing all this time! God, I wish I did this sooner. All those mornings wasted! (Hold me, blog. I am fragile...)

Tomorrow is the second day of the AdDU Fiesta and I'm hoping there's something actually worth staying for in school. Come on, Fiesta! Make me a happy.

Sincerely,

The Pure Blueblood (lol)

The Withdrawal Syndrome: An Antithesis To Moving On

The longer I stare at the title of this post, the more ridiculous it gets. But anyway, I'm still going to go ahead and write about it...Moving on~

I went through several phases in the whole span of my adolescence. (I mean, who doesn't? Also, I'm still a teen but I'm bidding farewell to that in a few months. /tear) Most of those phases involved getting attached and/or addicted to something, i.e. a video game.

*after 48 straight hours of no sleep!*

For a quite a long period of time, I immersed myself in the world of MMORPG; (Actually, I still do but not that much) forgetting the real one outside the four corners of my monitor. My top priorities were: making my character stronger, finding rare equips and selling them...Y'know, anything related to create a better profile in the gaming world. Food and sleep were much ignored and at most times, forgotten. I had to find ways to financially support my account, as it was a Pay 2 Play kind of game. I became more and more hooked each time I logged in.