M.I.A.

I know I've been M.I.A.

Been super busy with all the social functions + DecemBLUR craziness...

I want to start writing again...

Soon I will start posting all about the events I attended, the work I've been doing, the learnings I've had, my NEW YEAR's RESOLUTIONS, my top 25 songs for 2010, and MANY MORE!

EUREKA

Today was one of those days when I had a EUREKA moment...

And just like that, I figured it all out haha!

Life is funny.

My Year-End Song PART 2

Kylie's Get Outta My Way, as mentioned in my previous post, is my top year-end song! My year-end songs are the songs I listen to at the end of the year (duh) when:

1. I feel like celebrating the most... it is Decem-BLUR anyway!

2. I reflect the most...

3. I feel hopeful for the coming year


Celebrate life... we made it another year! Another year filled with love and friendships and prosperity...

Reflect and internalize... What did I learn this year?

Stay hopeful... Be content of where you are, but keep working on your progress...


Going back to Kylie's song, whenever I listen to it, it brings me joy. The beat just makes me wanna dance! After years of fighting it, I've become comfortable having that party girl persona... And this song brings out the party girl in me!

The end of the year is also the time when I draft my New Year's Resolutions... I've done good so far with my previous resolutions, but I still need to work on myself. We always need to constantly work on ourselves...

:)

Get Outta My Way - LYRICS

What’s the worst thing that could happen to you

Take a chance tonight and try something new

You’re getting boring you’re oh so boring

And I don’t recognize the zombie you’ve turned into

Don’t worry cause tonight I got you

You can take a seat do what you normally do

I’m about to let you see

This is what’ll happen if you ain’t giving your girl what she needs

Leave you Move on

To a perfect stranger

You talk I walk

Wanna feel the danger

See me with him and its turning you on it’s got me saying

Ain’t getting me back at the end of this song

Get outta my way

Get outta my way

Got no more to say

He’s taken your place

Get outta my way, way

Outta my way

Got no more to say

He’s taken your place

Get outta my way

Now I got a taste I wanna explore

Ain’t going to waste no not anymore

You’re going hard now to win my heart but

Too many times now you’ve been coming up short

Don’t worry cause tonight I got you

You can take a seat do what you normally do

I’m about to let you see

This is what’ll happen if you ain’t giving your girl what she needs

Leave you Move on

To a perfect stranger

You talk I walk

Wanna feel the danger

See me with him and its turning you on it’s got me saying

Ain’t getting me back at the end of this song

Get outta my way

Get outta my way

Got no more to say

He’s taken your place

Get outta my way, way

Outta my way

Got no more to say

He’s taken your place

Get outta my way

No I aint going home cause I wanna stay

But I wont be alone no how no way

Now I showed you what I’m made of made of

This is what’ll happen if you ain’t giving your girl what she needs

Leave you Move on

To a perfect stranger

You talk I walk

Wanna feel the danger

See me with him and its turning you on it’s got me saying

Ain’t getting me back at the end of this song

Get outta my way

Get outta my way

Got no more to say

He’s taken your place

Get outta my way, way

Outta my way

Got no more to say

He’s taken your place

Get outta my way

My Year-End Song PART 1

I always stress that I speak through music.

I also notice - the songs that I choose to listen to over and over again reflects my mood and present state.

I plan to do a blog entry next month on my TOP 25 track list on my iPod... Those tracks are the soundtrack of my 2010... I'm closing it strong...

I remember speaking with my friends about memories... If you ask me, I don't even recall what I was wearing two Saturdays ago. Sometimes, I remember the moment, but I don't remember the age that it happened. I remember things from High School and College but don't remember how old I was when those happened - except for the major events: the really happy events, the really painful ones... I remember conversations - but only one-liners stick to me. I remember people and how they made me feel... And most of the time, I remember them for the happy times.

Last year, my top 3 year-end songs were:

1. Black Eyed Peas - I gotta feeling

2. Black Eyed Peas - Meet me halfway

3. Kesha - Tick Tock


Songs played during fun times - at the club (ENCORE!), in Tali, in the car, on my iPod while I run.... I remember, I even have a video with Dino, Mons' brother, dancing to I gotta feeling!  But I don't remember which Tali trip that was....

Let's keep having GREAT TIMES because this is what we should remember.... Forget the pain, forget the loss, forget the bad experiences. Choose to focus on the joys of living...

In French... Joie de vivre!


And for this year... My year end song seems to be Kylie Minogue's Get Outta My Way... Really feeling it!

Kylie's Get Outta My Way


More on this later! :)


XOXO!

November 19, Friday

Today, I had a random good BB conversation...

I internalize a lot... When things happen, I always:

1) Figure out what I did to contribute to what happened

2) Put myself in the shoes of the other person who is involved in the thing that happened


I don't ever think that people are bad... If there's a reason why people hurt others, most of the time, it's coz they are weak and don't know any better.

November 16 - Quiet Tuesday Morning

Aside from the noisy kids on their field trip, I am having a very quiet Tuesday morning. It's a holiday (again) and I used this morning to catch up on all the work (well... not all) I've been missing out on. At least I managed to get organized for my 12NN lunch meeting with Celine. Too many things to discuss.

I hired my assistant today. If she agrees, then she starts officially on November 18. Asked her to come to the Art of Scent Grand Launch so she can take a look at how events are, more importantly get a feel of who I am (Is Bandi coming out??! Hehe!). 

It's important to get to know who you're working with. I believe the best colleagues are the ones who know how to feel others out. It's a personality thing. But not a personal thing... Know what I mean? It's good to add a personal touch, but also to be detached. Because there will be conflicts and disagreements and if you're the type to take it personally, then you will just get hurt. Or worse, do the job wrong.

And GROWTH is important. There will be people we'll be working with for a short time only, others for a longer period. Still others forever. If colleagues or partners want to leave, we should let them. Because forcing them to stay against their will will only cause us to lose them. Maybe not right away, but eventually. It gets worse when we prolong it.

A few years back, I often wondered what it was like to be too busy that you can't think of anything else but work. I started experiencing that in the past couple months. I do like it, but only now I realized the value of personal time. We can't work 24/7. We need to recharge and be with our friends and have conversations about life and what it means. Personal time is what keeps us going. That and positive people.

I read this quote on Twitter today:

"When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves."

 - William Arthur Ward

I made a choice to be with only the most optimistic people. Choice to be in relationships that bring out the best in me, because I only want to bring out the best in others. Imagine a relationship where all you do is fight and complain and blame one another? Not cool. We cannot avoid negative people, but we can control how much time we spend with them. 

I'm really lucky to have the friends that I do. My weekend with the 8 of them for Tisha's bachelorette gave me the energy I need for the next couple weeks. I feel so blest. 

This blog - crazybandi - really is a window to my soul. A journal of my life. It's very personal. This is where I write my random thoughts and where I express myself.. 

Crazy Calendar

The next 10 weeks is going to be crazy...

Watch out for the posts, couldn't attend to my blog last week because I had to attend to a bachelorette for 3 whole days...

I have events - sometimes 3 or 4 to a night - almost everyday starting this WEDNESDAY. everyday if i count events i don't really care about haha!

But the highlights (for November):

Art of Scent Grand Launch
Olive Magazine Launch
Kyss Launch
Prive featuring Rocio Olbes, Solenn Heusaff, Tan-Gan and Maco Custodio
Ysa's Bachelorette on the Party Bus
Opus opening - GPR and Louie Y birthdays!
Ken J. and Rajiv D. joint party (AOS meets SGH haha!)

and I am so sure more will come-up!

Later people!

XOXO!

Give and Take

Feeling a bit anxious lately... I think I am over-exerting myself? I don't know... between the workload and the exercise (the little that I do... exercise keeps me sane... I need to start running again) and the social functions, there is just so little time for me to relax. The occasional dates with the spa for massages help, but I need to unwind a bit...

Drinking does not relax me, it stresses me out even more! I have learned not to be paranoid and not to care about what people who don't know me think (note: I care about the people who do know me and what they think!), but physically, and mentally, it drains me. I honestly can't wait for the social functions to STOP COMING. November, December and January weekends already booked. Geez!

There is that option of drinking less... When shall I master thee?? That should be TOP PRIORITY in 2011. That and working even harder on the things that make me happy and whole (Friendships, Work and Exercise)...

For work, I need to hire that assistant... D-E-L-E-G-A-T-E...

Looking forward to our boating trip this week... I'm outta here! Out of Manila. Maybe that's what I need. Sometimes it gets too toxic...

I blame no one but myself...!

I need to start taking a bit for myself... I keep giving. But you gotta do what you gotta do, and at the end, we cannot fight our personal nature. My nature is to put effort... to give. I'm just worried that one day I'll be burnt out. That's why it's important to take, too.

Balance between giving and taking... My life's personal struggle.

-BLUR Months

-Ber months are always the party months... no matter how much I tell myself that this time - I won't be partying as much... it just won't happen on the -Ber months...  (or shall we say.. the -BLUR months!)

Bracing myself for Decem-BLUR.  First weekend of Novem-BLUR already kicked my ass... and the weekend is not even over yet!

-Ber months are also the time when I am busiest for work. In PR and Marketing, most (if not all) brands make the most out of this Holiday buying season. Too many events take place - press events, launches, bar events, parties... Since mid-October, I've had to plan maybe 2 events per week! NUTS! But still very much fun.

For the flower business, events also almost always happen in November and December, even January. (Scarlet Begonia Flowers can also do Christmas decor! More on this in later posts!) And let's not forget about Silly Band-it's and Ringz and stuffed toys - I shall blog about these products this weekend! Order from me for Christmas (for the kiddos)!

I know I have too much on my plate right now... And this time, I know the best thing to do is really hire an assistant. I've got two applicants and will start interviewing next week!

"May the Force Be with You" - Halloween Post Part 2

Check out my post on my second blog

http://supahstahdreams.blogspot.com/2010/11/may-force-be-with-you-halloween-post.html

Old Friends

A song by Everything But The Girl ...

Old Friends by EBTG


Music makes me (re)discover my own emotional depth. I think it is important to be aware of what we feel, and to master our emotions. Not the other way around. And when we are aware, we allow our feelings to guide us and not confuse us. It makes us sure.

Last part of the song:

‎"Not for the first time I look back 
on my first love 
Unable to speak or think or move 
hand in glove 
But what of it now and where is he 
He who once meant so much to me
Because we are not, I can't pretend
now old friends

I was told love should hold old friends
I was told love should hold od friends
But when you leave you will close the door
behind you
Don't we always
And time won't make amends
to old friends"

"May the Force Be with You" - Halloween Post Part 1

I love Halloween! It is my FAVORITE HOLIDAY of the year!!!

I normally plan for Halloween, came as Betty Boop last year (see photo below), Jessica Rabbit another year, and a vampire too (lame vampire). This year, I was SUPPOSEDLY going as Wonderwoman - even had my fave designer/friend, John Paras, think of a design already - paid down payment then changed my mind 'cause I thought my clique and I were going as Angels (we - the little devils - found it hilarious to dress up as angels!). Then we could not find angel wings! So I was left with NO CLUE on what to be this year the day before the big Halloween Ball of Members Only (freak-out!)!

Betty Boopy! Hair and Make-up by Lourd Ramos!
Was wearing a wig haha but he styled it...
Btw he is opening his own salon soon! STAY TUNED!

So I just looked at my closet and found a beautiful dressy skirt by Sassa Jimenez and thought – maybe I can be a prom princess… Our theme in Members Only was GLEE-INSPIRED… PERFECT!

I love the invite!

Then Theresa Leung (T) found a costume in Monica Araneta’s place… 

Padme Amidala of Naboo!!!

I didn't have the gun :( It would have been perfect if I had weapons too! But I must say, my costume was a WINNER! (Hehe)

Other cute costumes I saw - really liked Rosario Herrera's Captain America costume! And I saw a Michael Jackson and Madonna couple! Super cute! (I wonder what Tim Yap wore last night?! He has THE BEST costumes every Halloween!)

May the force be with you!

Supahstah Dreams...

I opened a second blog... supahstahdreams.blogspot.com!

This one is a more personal blog where I write my thoughts and insights, and the other blog is for when I go SUPAHSTAH hahaha! (I call myself that when I attend events...) Will also include fashion and beauty in my second blog...

Stay tuned for the HALLOWEEN POST! =D

Dreams and Deadlines

We are never too old to dream...

And never too old to stop striving to fulfill our dreams.

I used to dream of teaching... used to dream of becoming a writer too. I thought those dreams would never happen, but lately, opportunities have knocked on my door, showing me that these are still possible...

In life, you never really know! Why set deadlines on your dreams?

Watsons Shopping Challenge

Philippines top tastemakers were given a mission to choose their favorite products which allowed them or a friend to ‘live beautifully’. 

Inspire a friend to “live beautifully.” 

PHOTOS

You can find almost anything in Watsons for beauty and skincare, even the basic stuff

Products! Products! Products!

Deni Rose Afinidad and Dina Ventura of The Daily Tribune

Checking out Watsons Beauty Products

Zo Aguila of Cosmopolitan

Mel Cuevas of LOOK MAGAZINE

MEGA Team

Celine Gabriel of Manila Standard

A Tribute to Nicole Whisenhunt - Jewelry Designer/Friend

In my late Twenties (starting at 26),  I feel I found what I want to do in life... I'm a very open person - in work, love and friendship. And career-wise, I have dabbled into different fields:

Past - banking, the arts (i used to join plays... and was part of the choir in Grade School... weird, i know)

Present - writing (blog!), marketing and pr, events - including floral designs (I part-own a flower company with a beautiful soul, Djuna Rocha. Name of our company - Scarlet Begonia Flowers), importation (focused on toys for now)... (What is common in ALL is that even with the flower company and importation biz, I focus on the marketing and pr aspects)

Future - who knows? i am open...


Nicole Whisenhunt, Entrepreneur and Jewelry Designer,  is one friend of mine who I can sit down with and talk about life and career. She's been a friend for more than a decade. I knew her even before she started designing. Like most teenagers, she and I didn't care much about work and simply enjoyed shopping and going out.

With Nicole Whisenhunt, right...
At the launch of Republiq Superclub last June 2010.. She is wearing a vest she designed

All that changed when Nicole's mom, Tita Baby, inspired Nicole to try her hand in designing. We were probably around 20 years old... She started with chains and semi-precious stones. She joined bazaars and worked hard to make sure she had new designs to show to clients.

Then after a few years of creating these beautiful chained pieces, Nicole felt the need to reinvent herself as a designer. It took her awhile to find her technique. She was thinking of making plated jewelry but never really got around to doing it. Then one day, about two years ago, she found what she wanted to do: Bib necklaces.

Success came quickly to her. After just a few months, more and more clients visited her in her workshop, and actresses like Gretchen Barreto, Kris Aquino and Ruffa Gutierrez would be seen wearing a Nicole Whisenhunt bib on television. Even the business group Go Negosyo! saw how successful Nicole was and awarded her with the title Most Inspiring Young Entrepreneur in 2009 together with nine others.

In 2010, she started gaining recognition globally, check out the press releases in Magazines and Websites below:

"Tres Chic", Marbella Spain Oct-Nov 2010 1/3

US Town & Country: Nicole Whisenhunt feature on the Cindy Neckpiece close up (Nov 2011)

Elle November 2010

I've known Nicole for a long time, and she is one of the most driven people I know. She wasn't always like that, but when she found her drive and inspiration, she stuck to it. There have been days when she would call me - almost crying - because of the amount of work she has to do. But she stayed focused and passionate, and by staying true to what she loved, she reached this level of success. 

And I know this lady is not even thinking of slowing down. This is only the beginning.

Nicole - this is my tribute to you! CHEERS! All the blessings... 

XXX

PS: Will post latest collections in a bit...

Heart and Soul

I believe that when you do things, you must put your heart in it...

When you meet people, each encounter has to be sincere and heart-felt... If you cannot be sincere, and if your heart is not in it, then don't bother.

It is so important to be real. Because when we are not, we end up fooling ourselves and we forget what is important. We hurt others and ourselves.

I write with my heart as the guide first... and in turn, it enriches my soul.

My (Almost) Blurry-Free Birthday Week

I just turned 28 last Tuesday, October 19...

I normally celebrate a whole week, sometimes even longer... My Birthday Celebrations are like Indian Wedding Celebrations.

Last year, I celebrated 3 times... I think! Monday - for my actual birthday in Su Casa... Friday for my SUPAHVILLAINS SUPAHPARTY (I came as the devil, see photo below)... and Wednesday... I'm forgetting where, but I am almost 100% sure that it was also in Members Only.

And - not really proud saying this, just stating a fact - all my birthday celebrations since maybe my 19th birthday party have been blurry... 19-25 probably full black-outs... 26 and 27... not really full black-outs anymore (at least I remember how i got home...) but still with some gaps.


I had a blast in each and every one of them, at the very least... If I could do them all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. We go through what we do because we have to. I don't know if that just made any sense, but anyway... I'm a firm believer that in life, we must have no regrets - black-outs and everything that comes with it.

BUT.... 28 is like a milestone year for me... Am I just going to keep on doing what I have kept on doing for almost a decade - party-wise?  Not that it's not fun anymore - it will always be fun. Even if most of the time, I am with the same people anyway. In my line of work, I meet all sorts of people, become close to all sorts of groups, but after awhile, people move on, and maybe from having a dozen new friends, you only end up really close to one or two of them... Those who have common interests with you and CHOOSE to have open lines of communication with you.

28 was the first year I celebrated with the people who I know really, really, really cared for me... And if those people who really, really, really cared for me couldn't be there, they made sure to tell me that they cared.

I'm not the super-sentimental type... except maybe with boys haha (at least I am honest)... But my birthday week always makes me feel a little sentimental. I look back, and I see how far i've gone... And sometimes I still shock myself that I am where I am now. I still have a long way to go, and I know with life, we really don't know what's going to happen next, but I also know, that it's important to be GRATEFUL for everything.

So, yes... this year was ALMOST blurry-free... my HS Reunion last Saturday was what broke the blurry-free streak! HAHA! more on that in the next post!

I've always been grateful for the friends that I have... They are FAMILY to me... So thank you, friends... You guys know who you are! :)

XOXO!


PS - Special Mention to THERESA LEUNG who stayed with FUNTASTIC FOUR til the end despite being sick and sober... I love you!

And Monica Araneta - Thanks for always having me as a boarder! HAHA!

Jessica Yenko - my flatmate and almost sister!

Fucked in the Head

I am loving this link:

http://lochers.com/collection2.html

FUCKED IN THE HEAD

Are you? Maybe a little bit? But that's a good thing love....

Girls Night Out = Always the Most Dangerous PART 2 at Republiq

Sooooo after dinner... we decided to head to Republiq where we were to meet our other friend Noelle Hilario - surfer chick/graphic artist. We had our table, had our drinks, and definitely had our fun:

BANG BANG

says the Bandicoot...

Bandicoot, for those of you who don't know, is my alter-ego name....

See you soon, Republiq!

KID CUDI - Erase Me

Kid Cudi - Erase Me

She said I don't spend time like I really should
She said she don't know me, anymore
I think she hates me deep down, I know she does
She wants to erase me hmmmmmm

A couple days no talking, I seen my baby
And this what she tells me, she said

[Chorus]
I keep on running, keep on running
And nothing works
I can't get away from you, no

I keep on ducking, keep on ducking
And nothing helps
I can't stop missing you, yeah

[Verse 2]
It's like I'm her new nightmare, she ain't escaping
It makes me feel a bit complete, yeah
Knowing someone you love don't feel the same way about ya
Memories they soon delete, hmmm

A couple weeks no talking, I seen my baby
I've missed you so damn much, hey
I wish we could start over, I told my baby
This what this bitch tells me, she said

[Chorus]
I keep on running, keep on running
And nothing works
I can't get away from you, no

I keep on ducking, keep on ducking
And nothing helps
I can't stop missing you, yeah

[Bridge]
Cuz I'm in the magazines
On the TV
No matter where you are you might hear me
I'm in the magazines
On the TV
No matter where you go you might see me

[Verse 3]
Uh, I’m Yeezy
She said Hi I’m Aria,
No! You an angel you wave hi to Aaliyah
I got a show in Korea
They built a new arena
Why don’t you come watch n-gga tear the whole scene up
I know I’ve seen you before but don’t know where I’ve seen ya
Oh I remember now, it’s something I that I dreamed of
Don C said she cool but don’t let her f-ck ya cream up
Monica Lewinsky on ya dress take ya to the cleaners
Sure enough a week later I’m in extra love
And everybody know she mine so she extra plug
Every bouncer every club show her extra love
We just praying the new fame don’t get the best of us
But all good things gotta come to an end-a
She let it go to her head, no not my aria
The height of her shopping was writers blocking me
I couldn’t get my shit out anyway, I hope you die Aria

[Chorus]
I keep on running, keep on running
And nothing works
I can't get away from you, no

I keep on ducking, keep on ducking
And nothing helps
I can't stop missing you, yeah

25 Random Things About Me...

This was something I wrote almost 2 years ago... 

I read it again... everything still holds true, except i'm not so much of a diet freak anymore!

1. For the record, my last name is spelled like this: Y-R-A-S-U-E-G-U-I. It is pronounced like this: EE-RA-SE-GI. It is of the BASQUE ORIGIN... not Japanese... not Persian... BASQUE.

2. When my mom gave birth to  me, the doctors found that the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck. In fact, I was already blue! But obviously, I survived it.

3. I have a mole at the nape of my neck that I am conscious  about. I don't see it, but I know it's there. When I am stressed, I have a habit of checking if the mole is still there. Weird, I know...

4. But aside from my mole, I am not really self-conscious. I can walk around the mall after a long run, sweaty and all, and not worry about who I might bump into... I'm one of those with the 'Who cares?' attitude...

5. I am a diet and fitness freak. You can ask  me anything about carbs, fat, protein, running shoes, training methods, etc, and I will probably have an answer to your question! (I did subscribe to SHAPE mag at one point in my life...)

6. I am the middle child in my family. And that explains a lot  about my personality. Read up on birth order.

7. I believe in karma. You reap what you sow. It is the simple law of 'cause and effect.'

8. Running is my current sport. My goal is to finish a full marathon (42KM) by the time I hit 30.

9. I hope to run full marathons in different cities around the world.

10. I am passionate  about my work and friendships. In turn, I have been extremely blessed in both aspects of my life.

11. As much as I love make-up, dresses and shoes, I do not know how to cut my own nails, fix my own hair, and shape my own eyebrows. Which explains why I visit the salon at least twice a week!

12. I am extremely attracted to people who are funny, positive and REAL.

13. Believe it or not, I was a major nerd. My friends from Assumption know this  about me (Yes, I went to an all-girls Catholic school).

14. I love music, more specifically rock, but I can listen to anything. I usually attach songs to people or memories, and allow lyrics to move  me.

15. I learned a lot  about life and relationships by reading Shel Silverstein books.

16. Like Serena Van Der Woodsen, I choose to see what is good in people.

17. And what  about the 'bad ones?' They are not really 'bad,' they are just broken...

18. Hence, I have my 'back-up': my best friends who help  me see the bigger picture! (You guys know who you are!)
** Theresa Leung is my all-around shrink... And when that fails, Monica Araneta is my drinking partner! So are the following: Chiqui Okol, Michelle Pamintuan, Nicole Whisenhunt, Claudine de Leon, Jessica Yenko, Mia Pineda, Patricia Ang, Cecile Dominguez...

19. In situations where I have to defend myself, between 'Fight' or 'Flight,' I choose 'Fight!' Except when it comes to relationships...
** Special mention to Gianna Kessler who taught  me how to be 'confrontational'

20. The thought of ice cream still makes  me happy! But nowadays, I settle for yogurt.

21. I am a horrible dancer! I know that, but I still dance anyway.
** Ian Sermonia did say that when we dance, no one is really watching us, so we should just have fun! Good one, Ian!

22. I CHOOSE not to be a 'hater.' Life is too short to focus on what wrong  things other people do to us. If they are bad to you, then quit hanging with them. There are so many other good people out there.

23. I am the Gossip Girl and Drama Magnet... Believe  me, I don't care to know about the gossips and the dramas, but for some reason, they just fall on my lap!

24. I can't really say that I am religious just yet, but I am very spiritual.

25. And last but not least: I believe, and will only settle for, a love that is life changing....