Day 8: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

The 8th day was the last and final day for my Intensive Pattern Making Course and I was terribly late.  It was embarassing!  What happened was, I left later than usual and I when I get to the MRT, the place was packed.  I was feeling ill that morning and don't have the energy to queue up so I decided to take the bus.  I forgot how the buses here stops everywhereeeee.  I was fidgeting throughout the whole trip.  When I was meters away from Shaw Blvd, I ran as fast as I could with cramps on my left leg.  Good timing muscles!  :P  I was 30 minutes late and everyone thought that I skipped class.  We did simple sleeves and collars on the last day.  I am still "bitin" from it to be honest.  Hopefully I can work my schedule out as I wanna learn Basic Spanish too.  Being fluent with 2 languages isn't enough.  I want more!!!

BTW, the picture above is my cousin, Botchok.  While I was on my lunch break, I randomly picked one of the magazines at FIP and found him on the style section.  So weird considering he's not into fashion.  The magazine is Garage Oct-Nov 2009 Issue.  

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Day 7: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

Nice, Clean Dart.  :P

I am so happy.  Just one more day 'til I finish my intensive Basic Pattern Making course.  I've been making lots of progress.  I am so proud of myself.  :)

I plan to take Basic Sewing after and if the Intensive Advance Pattern Making fits my schedule, I will take that too.   I asked Teacher Karla if Merchandising is fun but she told me that since I did Business in Uni, I shouldn't really take the course.  I love learning and I love everything that I am doing now.  I know dear boyfriend will agree that I am happier and I am less annoyed at night.  Good for the relationship eh?  LOL!

We did 5 different bodice today from the basic bodice.  I am slowly perfecting the bodice but I am still having a hard time memorising the steps.  It was only a day when the pattern was introduced to me but it felt like ages now.  So much progress since yesterday.

Blog tom Darlings.  :)

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Day 6: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

OMG!  I didn't realise that making a bodice is gonna be difficult.  We have to make 7 computations and follow 20 steps just to make a simple one.  I messed mine up on first try cause I failed to measure on the right spot and changing one means changing everything.  Now, I have that as an assignment.  I left FIP early today.  I wasn't feeling very well.  I got the usual coughs and colds during rainy season.  Sucks cause dear boyfriend is gonna be here on Sunday and I don't want him that get my virus.  I gotta be healthy for next week's trip to Taiwan!  That reminds me, I gotta go to bed now and do my assignment early in the morning.  

Let's chat tom Darlings.  :)

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Norwegian Wood

I can't wait to see this film!  Haruki Murakami is one of my favourite authors.  I've read most of the books he has written.  I just stop reading cause most his books depresses me.  I've seen the film version of Tony Takitani and On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning.  They were both amazing!  

Norwegian Wood is my go-to book when I am depressed.  Just something cathartic about it.  I was initially introduced to the author because my Uni crush is a big Murakami fan and my love affair with Murakami started since. Hehehe!  South of the border, West of the Sun is my other favourite.  I wonder if they are gonna do a film version of it too.  

That reminds me, I have to buy a Murakami book soon.  :P

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Over the Moon

I've been receiving nothing but good news from my friends in the UK.  This week, I got a text from my mum telling me that Melay got engaged.  I then got an email from her and confirmed the engagement.  She also told me that they just recently purchased a house together.  The wedding's set on the 26th of February and I am gonna be one of the bridesmaids.  It is really an honour to be their bridesmaid.  I get teary eyed thinking about it.  I know what she went through her "dating" in the UK and I am happy that she found the one that she is gonna spend the rest of her life with.  We both went thru the self-help book phase and I guarantee that it helps you to choose a better mate.  :)

While I was browsing through facebook today, I found out that Ate Macy is pregnant.  She is one of my closest friends in the UK.  She and I used to meet up for coffee to chat and I would ask for her advice or tell her things that I can't normally tell my family.  We used to go shopping together too.  I can't wait to see their baby.  :)

When it rains, it pours.  Good thing it's all positive news.  I really have a lot of things to be thankful for.  I love my friends and I am happy that they are happy.  They are nice people and wonderful things should happen to them.  :)

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Day 5: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

I am happy that it is Saturday today.  That means, no waking up early and no MRT congestion.  Next week, dear boyfriend is gonna be here too.  Yay!  

Our fifth day on Fashion Institute was hard.  The photo above was my pattern test and it took me 2.5 hours to execute the design on pattern!  I had pains in my legs and neck when I finished mine.  Next week, John Herrera is teaching us.  We are gonna do bodice, I heard.  3 more meetings and my basic pattern making course is done.  What shall I do next?  Advance Pattern or Sewing or maybe Spanish.  Hope everything fits my schedule.  

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Day 4: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

I hate serpentina skirts.  They gave me a hard time today!!!  I made lots of mistakes on the pattern.

Yeah, making skirts involves pie.  I like circle skirts, they're so easy to make.  I will make you soon as soon as I learn how to sew.  :)

This is what I have to endure everyday but I am okay with this cause I know that I am one step closer to my dream of working in fashion.  I am targetting high street then high end brand next.  I will just have to learn as much as I can for now.  Babe, this is how busy the MRT is everyday.  You have to queue up then queue up again just to get into the train.  People are horrible especially ladies.  They literally can hurt you.  

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Day 3: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

Sorry I wasn't able to blog last night darlings.  I was completely knackered!  It was a very busy day at Fashion Institute yesterday.  The school was completely packed with students.  My day didn't start right.  I failed to cut the allowance properly on my darts.  At lunch, I had to go buy myself boxboards.  Boxboards in Fashion Institute are like gems.  After lunch, we did wrap skirt, panel skirt, semi a-line, medium a-line and full a-line skirts.  It was fantastic but at 5:30PM, I gave up.  I got home at half past 7PM and was in bed at 8PM.  Woke up at 6AM this morning feeling tired still.  Worst, I have inexplainable pain in my right wrist!

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Day 2: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

I am taking Intensive Pattern Making course.  Not to be recommended to anyone who isn't serious about Pattern Making or Interested in Fashion. This class takes so much of my energy.  Everyday, you have to take in lots.  If we were able to make a pattern draft for a basic skirt yesterday, we were taught pattern and sewing adjustments, kick pleats and waistbands today.  I have a complete pattern for a simple skirt now with adjustments.  Just like yesterday, I was able to finish first.  I am almost confident with my basic skirt pattern and I can now make a pattern by heart without looking.  We have to make 5 size 8 patterns at home and I only made 2 so far.  I am a bit OC with my work.  I want everything to be perfect.  After all, a good design starts with a good pattern.  I hope I survive my class tomorrow.  Our instructor told us that we are gonna do different skirt styles.  Wish me luck!

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Day 1: Fashion Institute of the Philippines

I've always been fascinated with fashion and fabric construction.  I remember liking Carolina Herrera in elementary school and thinking that I could grow old looking as chic as her.  :-P  Today was my first day at Fashion Institute.  We were taught how to get proper measurements on people and we were able to make a basic skirt pattern which I ACED!  We were also given an assignment to measure 3 women and make another size 8 pattern and a personal skirt pattern which I made as soon as I got home.  I am very excited for tomorrow.  I had to turn down my final interview for Promod for this.  I know it's gonna be a good trade off.  :)

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Jean Grey

My first thought when I put this on was - I resembled a person blinded with cataract.  Just loving them now more than my green lens.  Will continue on changing my lens colour in the next few months 'til I get tired of them.  

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Only because...

I'm posting this photo only because it makes you happy.  You deserve to have a laugh in between your busy schedule.  I love you.  Now, laugh out loud baby.  

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In meeting people

I've always been good with meeting people.  I've always been the new girl at school that's why.  I've been to 2 preparatory school, to 2 elementary school and 2 high schools.  When I was in Uni, my family was a bit worried that I'll move after a year.  Well, I didn't.  That would be a very stupid move knowing that I got in in one of the best Universities in the country.  

Yesterday, I met Doris' University friends for the first time.  They were very nice bunch of people.  We immediately clicked.  We went to Giligan's Island for dinner and drinks.  I haven't had a drop of alcohol in ages.  To be honest, I don't miss it.  I've gone to one phase with just iced tea when I go on clubs.  Yeah, a bit boring I know.  Hahaha!

Would you believe that we only spent 1800PHP for a 7 dish dinner, 2 liters of Long Island Iced Tea and 3 bottles of beer?  I can't believe either!  

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Yamato Drums of Japan Experience

I had to apologise about my Yamato rantings on my previous post.  I'm sorry.  You see, after I wrote that, I immediately contacted the Japan Foundation and ask them where I can get the tickets.  Turns out, it's free and you have to come there on a first come, first serve basis. 

Here's what happened on the day:

I met up with my friend Doris.  Actually, I've been meeting with her during the week and I've met all her immediate family apart from her brother.   We then went grocery shopping and walked around the shopping centre taking the piss out of everyone, reminiscing about our pole/ledge dancing days in the UK and how we wish we were back there with our girlfriends dancing in the clubs and drinking.  

We queued up for 2 hours.  During that an hour and a half queue, people aren't piling up.  I thought we were in a good place.  Turns out, people can reserve tickets online.  I wasn't informed about this when I emailed them.  It just seems unfair that it's free, you can go on a first come first serve basis and people can reserve tickets online???  The Invitational performance happened on the 8th and open field happened on the 9th.  I was worried that we weren't able to get in.  I was really excited to see them and been hyping the show to Doris.  After all the people with reserved tickets got in, we were given tickets.  So annoying that people can use their power to get in.  One men took at least 6 tickets whilst not in queue.  

The performance is just as I've expected.  It was similar to their London performance.  Although the stage is smaller, they were able to perform just as good.  Doris would normally talk during films or performances running a commentary but she was actually behaved.  I was worried that she might not be able to enjoy herself.  She actually liked it.  I loved it too.  It was very entertaining, the crowd is cheering, laughing and clapping.  The person next to me talked so much on the first 2 performances but stopped on the third.  Thank God!  I only give 3 hits to people until I speak with them.  

I love live performances!  Just brings the best out of artist.  If they are to come here again next year, I would definitely go again especially if it's free.  :)

With my good friend Doris.  I'm so happy that she's back.

Flyer for the event.  Earlier on the queue.

I was ecstatic when I received my tickets.

This was just half of the people watching the show.  We were seated on the left bleachers.

And after their show, they were nice enough to take photos with their fans.  Usual Doris fashion, she called one of the drummers and shouted, photos on this side please.  Which the guy obliged.  After she had her photo taken with the guy, she asked for another photo.  He was shocked but Doris is serious about her photos being taken.  Hahaha!

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Taiwan Visa Approved

So, I applied online for my Taiwan Visa just to make sure that I have it before we go.  I didn't realise that as soon as you get approved, your visa starts the same day.  Mine is expiring on the 4th and we are not leaving the Philippines until then.  I kept my composure and called the Taiwanese Embassy.  She said that there is a guarantee that I'll be able to get another visit visa.  I just have to reapply on the 29th of July cause there is a 7 day reapply period until my visa expires.  Taiwan, here we come!?  

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Yamato in the Philippines!

OMG!  The Japanese have arrived!  The Yamato, Taiko Drummers from Japan are here!  

People always get the wrong impression on me.  Because I dress differently (on Filo Standards), people automatically assume that I am a party girl.  Well, I am not.  I'd rather go on trips, dine out, watch films or do anything cultural.  I've seen the Yamato Drummers about 3 years ago in Peacock Theatre in London.  I remember sitting in centre and was actually in front of them.  I remember feeling kilig while watching their performance.  I have a confession, I like guys with good arms and defined back.  Defined back?  Who would love that?   I am weird that way.  They were topless all the way.  I was pinching my ex through out the whole show.  I can't help it!  Asians, good arms and back, I couldn't ask for more.  :P

I hate it when Filos do this.  They always have the invites only thing.  The other day, I passed by Topshop having private sales.  WTF!  The store is small.  Not even a floor bigger than the Flagship store in London.  It annoys the hell out of me that everyone doesn't enjoy the same privileges as the rich people here.  We need to change people.  Poor people are cultured too.  

There is no way I'm getting an invite to this event.  Argh!!!

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China, Korea, Taiwan: What's my best option?

CHINA

Dear boyfriend and I are planning on another Asian Tour.  The initial plan was for him to go to the Philippines for 3 days then we fly to Hong Kong then take a sleeper train to China but the Chinese Visa is impossible to get.  For Filipino passport holder, the REQUIREMENTS are long and obtaining a visa is difficult.  So we are keeping our options open which now brings me to our next country of choice, South Korea.

SOUTH KOREA

I've spent the whole morning calling 3 embassies today.  I called the Chinese Embassy but it was either engaged or no one's picking up.  I then researched the South Korean Hotline, rang them and was slapped in the face with cold hard fact - I can't apply for a visit visa cause I am not working at the moment.  I asked if I can go with a sponsor, they said no.  How about if I'm a student? They said my parents can sponsor me.  I am neither a student(not yet) or working.  Obtaining a visa would have been easy.  Here are the requirements:

1.  Application Form

2.  1 Passport Size Picture

3.  Passport

4.  Employment Certificate

5.  Bank Certificate

6.  ITR(Income Tax Return)

TAIWAN

Taiwan doesn't interest both me and dear boyfriend.  I suggested it 'cause it's the nearest country from the Philippines.  Japan's visa is as difficult as China's so we crossed that out for now.  Taiwan is surprisingly easy.  I am qualified to apply for my visa online cause I am a US Visa Holder.  Thanks Mum for getting one last year!  Here's the link.

Hope this helps everyone who's planning to go on an Asian Tour.  Good luck Darlings!  :)

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