I decided to change my Song of the Week's posts to Music Monday because I just like the ring to it. Or maybe, I've just gone a little crazier from my 2 month hiatus. Whichever; From now on I'm gonna post every Monday my current favorite jam/s or my latest music find/s. :)
So this is my comeback post, and I'm gonna share my love to this wonderful young lady. She's super talented, I'm sold the first time I heard Royals. I first heard her last May and I'm hooked since then. She's making her name now in the music industry all over the world, and she just released her debut LP called Pure Heroine. I'm pretty sure you already heard Royals, because it's her hit song, so I'm not gonna share that song anymore. Instead I'm choosing my personal favorite songs from her The Love Club EP and her latest LP. ;)
I hope you enjoyed listening to her as much as I do!♥
"Music always helps, no matter what you're going through. So, if you flunk a big test, or you had a really bad break up, or you just miss someone so bad, it hurts, then listen to my playlist. A hundred songs to save your life. And it should help."
-Peyton Sawyer, One Tree Hill
C'est tout!
A
July 14, 2013
I can't keep up...with everything. I'm so lost, I don't know what to do. Gonna be on hiatus indefinitely.
First half of the year, I already attended a The Script concert, a Lawson gig, and the Wanderland 2013 music festival. Second half of the year's going by so fast and there are tons of tours that will have a Manila stop by this year. A lot of it has already been announced while some are still under negotiation. Some people don't get my obsession with concerts. Yes, a lot of people love music but not everyone's drawn in watching performances live. Some people don't understand the happiness these concerts brings me, even just for a while. No amount of money can level the happiness I felt when I saw Lady Gaga for the first time(I was still in awe the second time!), or the kilig I felt when Justin Timberlake sang Until the End of Time while playing the piano, or the surreal feeling I got while singing and dancing while Katy Perry performs her songs, I can actually go on and on with these stories, with my amazing experiences without even getting tired. All these flashbacks are still fresh in my mind even some happened years ago; And when I hear the songs I already heard played live, I can't help but smile. And that smile isn't just in my lips but it's all the way through my heart. It feels good to watch your favorite artists perform in flesh, in eyesight, out of an earshot, a few meters away from you. It's true there are perks when you buy good seats but the general admission is good enough if you can't afford the big deals. Hearing your favorite songs performed live while watching the screen or trying to watch the little people all the way down is better than being at home and listening through your earphones on your iPod. But if you have the means, hell, I wouldn't think twice! If you're wondering, yes I already experienced watching in all kinds of seats; From VIP to Patron to Lower Box to Upper Box to General Admission. You might not still get me, you may think I'm crazy and I'm wasting money. Touche, my friend. But this is my point; I'm trying to fulfill my invisible concert bucket list. I get it, you're saving money, and you're thinking you're gonna do this thing when you become rich. Well, I'm saving memories, I don't wanna miss the chance. I wanna look back 30 years from now, smiling and thinking about all those crazy nights singing my hearts out with my then favorite songs. You know what? I think, in the end, we'll both get rich, but we'll have a different kind of wealth, you with money and I with memories. I maybe wrong, but one way or another, I think just one of us is going to be truly happy in our death beds.
P.S.
I wrote this in the middle of the night when I can't sleep, July 5, 2013 at exactly 12:33am. My thoughts just spilled easily after reading a John Green book. Yes, if you're wondering, I'm a frustrated writer. Is this an essay though? I don't know. But there, that's my thoughts. Thank you for reading. Toodles!
Been preoccupied with random stuff these past few weeks that's why I haven't been posting, all I can squeeze in is my promised weekly song choices. This week I'm sharing with you my super mega duper favorite band find last January. I've been obsessed with their song Recover for quite a while, and now I'm sharing their latest song Gun. This Scottish electro-pop band is one of my favorite indie bands ever. Lauren Mayberry's, the band's vocalist, voice is to die for! Her voice and their songs won my heart over. If you like indie-electric-pop genre, you're gonna love them. Crossing my fingers on seeing them perform live! ;)
Too many stuff to post but I don't feel like it. I hope to get my enthusiasm back. There are just mind-boggling things I'm going through right now, but I hope to get through these whatnots soon enough.
Anyway, The xx is performing in Manilers on July 30, 2013 at NBC Tent, Taguig City. Just 10 days after I turn 22. Coincidence? I guess not! I wanna call it fate or serendipity, choose your pick. I'm obsessed with them! I watched them live in Coachella's youtube live stream. I wished to see them live and now they're within my reach! Okay, not really because I don't have money to buy ticket YET. Anyhoo, because of that amazing news, here's my song of the week by the amazing English band, The xx.
This is my song choice of the week. And this is a rush post. Hah! Pretty busy with maybe not so relevant stuff for you, but it's important to me. :p Been listening to Muse these past few days. I love their songs! And I hope you like them too. xx
Four days ago, I, together with my good friend Ellaattended our first ever music festival at Globe Circuit Makati. I'm gonna tell you how my day went through the photos below. And by the way, before I forget, I copied a lot of the photos here from Ella and Kuya Ian. Click their names to see their blogs.☺ Enjoy reading!♥
A friend treated us for late lunch some time two weeks ago because it was his birthday. My strict diet isn't so strict when it comes to birthdays and gatherings. So we decided to try Army Navy. I know we're a tad too late to try this burger chain out but you know what they, it's better late than never. And trying it for the first time via a birthday treat heightened the awesomeness. Haha! :p
We tried their Eastwood branch. I wanted to take a photo of the wall that showcases their tagline, "Come in hungry, walk out happy." but I wasn't able to take a photo because there were customers seating right in front of it.☺
After 2 days to recover, it's crazy that I'm still hangover from Wanderland Music and Arts Festival. No, I didn't drink but I'm still high from the awesome music experience which I will blog soon enough. I wanna share a song I discovered there, well, I discovered a couple but this particular song was stuck in my head. I'm so in love with this song I decided to make it my song of the week. It's from the amazing band, Nada Surf. ♥
I feel so happy and blessed that I got to hear this song for the first time and live 2 days ago. This is my heart's song and I can't believe I didn't know this song. If you already know this, good for you. If not, here's your chance; And that's definitely one of the reason why I do this song of the week thing, to broaden my music choices and knowledge, as well as to share some songs I know that might struck other people too. It can be the same as it struck me, or it can be a different kind of feeling toward the song. I believe that like food, music is universal and can connect people one way or another. It's only a matter of personal preference and taste. I hope you dig this song! Because I definitely do!☺
A while back, a few weeks ago to be somehow exact, I accompanied my mother and my brother to the little one's dental check up in Katipunan and afterwards we dined in Cibo. One of my favorite commercialized or mainstream restaurants in Manila. I actually blogged about Cibo already here and here. I love to eat there so much I always wanna eat there every time I go out. And I'm not even exaggerating. Anyway, this particular day, I gave in and urge my companions to eat there.☺
Spinaci Zola
Cibo's Spinach-Gorgonzola dip is one of my favorite dip ever, in my entire life! I'm dead serious! I love it so much I can have this appetizer every freaking day!♥
Penne Al Telefono
And this my friend, never fails. Never. Ever. Anyone will like this, I swear! If you don't know what to order from Cibo's massive array of dishes from their ginormous menu, pick this. You're welcome. :p
Fontina Pomodoro
When it comes to Cibo's mains, I personally love their Ossobuco Gremolata and I wanted my brother to try it but unfortunately it's out of stock so he opted for this. And it ain't bad! In fact, it's sooo good, my younger brother finished everything all by himself. This dish is supposed to be paired with a bread or something but since my brother's staaaarving that time, he asked for rice. Oh, good ol' rice! Crazy.
Prosciutto di Parma Rossa
Parma Ham is directly proportional to yummmmm!♥
Ironman & Superman ♥
This is sooo out of the blue but Ironman is my favorite superhero. Like ever. And I'm ending this post with an Iron Man 3 quotation said by Aldrich Killian..
"Failure is the fog from which we all glimpse triumph."
The Vampire Diaries has the best music choices, ever. I found this song out from TVD's episode a little while back. I discover a lot of non-mainstream artists from the soundtracks of some of the TV shows I've been watching. I'm currently obsessed with non-mainstream artists because I can feel the realness in their song, and being not commercialized makes it more special. I find joy in listening to songs that not everyone is listening to. Dave Baxter is the brainchild of Avalanche City. Call it coincidence, but I'm seeing AC perform live on Saturday. I'm so stoked! Anyway, it's election day in the Philippines today. Vote well and vote wisely Filipinos! I'm gonna cast my vote later, toodles!☺
Every thursday almost everyone I follow on instagram post a throwback photo so I decided to post a super duper long overdue post that has been on my drafts since last year. I have not been interested in posting this until today so here it is..
We ate for the first time at Haianese Delights and it was awesome because it's cheap, the food tasted okay and some meals are rice-all-you-can. I know, it's unhealthy and all but last year I was so happy with that food place because I was still not health conscious then. But right now, I wouldn't personally choose to eat there because I'm trying my very best to eat healthy. But you have to try to eat there because the food will speak for itself! And their staff were sooo nice and friendly, fastfoods or restaurants should hire staff like them!☺
A with Ja ready to binge! Though I'm the only one who looks like it! I envy some of my cousins for being blessed with THE "thin gene." Oh, what I would do to have that gene. Imagine eating anything and everything without getting fat? Bliss! Haha! :p
L♥vers. Nins and Ate.
The Singles Club. A, Jaja, and Angge.♥☺
"Time spent with family is time well spent. Family is the one constant element in life."
Every night I listen to just one voice to put me to sleep. I swear I think I'm obsessed with her! I love her voice and her music for months now but lately my love for her music grew and I can't help myself but listen to her every freaking night. I hope to watch her perform live soon, maybe next year. Presenting to you my song of the week by none other than, the amazing, Lana Del Rey!
Tons of her songs are really sad and the happy ones are kind a sad too but I love her music anyway! And she's gorg without even trying so hard! I watched her iTunes Festival 2012 performance a few months ago and she was just in sweater and pants that time, but she's beautiful nonetheless! Her voice is one of my most favorite voices ever. So distinct and the way she uses it baffles me. Awesome!♥
Sometime ago Nanay(Yep! I call my mother, Nanay.☺) and I went out to enroll my not-so-little brother and we planned to buy stuff for my soon-to-be-out nephew. I was so excited to buy baby stuff because they're so cute and so little, I can't help but be amazed! Anyhoo, we dined somewhere I've never eaten before.. It's called Tokyo Cafe and (obviously) they serve Japanese food! Mi paborito! I can never get tired eating Japanese food. Never ever.♥
Kalbi-ju
I picked this for myself though I'm on a strict diet! Haha! I can't deprive myself from eating what I love. I can't say no to thinly sliced beef strips drizzled with yakiniku sauce and served with miso soup on the side. If you can say no to that, well, I just can't! Haha! Everything was seasoned rightly for my taste though for Nanay they're a little on the salty side. But to be fair, Nanay's preference in food is in the bland side because of health purposes.☺
Iced Green Tea
I'm pretty obsessed with green tea. This obsession has been going on for 3 years now and I don't have a plan on stopping myself from drinking happiness. :p Tokyo Cafe's green tea is pretty awesome and I like the fact that I'm the one who put the syrup so that I can control the sugar I'm gonna put in my voluptuous body! Haha! :D
Clubhouse Sandwich
This is Nanay's lunch because she said she's not hungry. If you're wondering what she eats when she's hungry, it's rice for sure. You know, Filipinos and their white rice. So good and so bad. I resisted having a bite of this because I already have a heavy meal in front of me and luckily I won the urge! Yehey! You need to congratulate me. Haha! Why is it so hard to lose weight and so easy to eat? Irony.
Tokyo Cafe Brewed Coffee
I know it's crazy hot in Manila right now but Nanay still opt for some fix, maybe to boost some energy for some baby stuff shopping we're gonna do.☺
The only photo I had that day because I'm not really feeling vain. Sorry for my annoying smug face. Haha! Anyhoo, it's sooo fun to buy baby stuff! I swear! I already have fashion pegs for my nephew as early as now! Oh, I'm so excited to be an Aunt!♥
RiRi is coming to Manilers!!! I still can't believe it! I wished for it a few months back and it came true. Now my next wish is to have a freaking ticket and willing friends to watch it with! Diamonds World Tour Manila is going to be on September 19, 2013 at SM Arena. I really wanna watch her perform live! I love tons of her songs. She's not my top favorite woman artist but she's on my top 10! It would really make me happy to watch her perform Rockstar 101, S&M, Only Girl, Hate that I Love You, Love the Way You Lie, Stay, Rehab, California King Bed, and We Found Love live. I freaking swear!!! Anyway, I chose What Now as my song of the week because it's my current favorite song from her latest studio album called Unapologetic. Enjoy listening and wish me luck in scoring tickets!♥
Sometime ago, more like ages ago, my family and I ate in Lugang's just opened(THEN) branch in SM North The Block. Every time I go out, which is rare because I'm a lazy bum, I try my best to eat somewhere I haven't eaten yet. That's sorta hard to do when I'm with my whole family because my little brother is a typical boy who always insists on his favorite fast food chains but luckily this time, maybe with God's help, I won the debate and we dined here in Lugang Cafe.
Lugang Cafe is a Taiwanese cuisine serving dining place brought here in Metro Manila from Shanghai and Beijing. It is recognized by Philippine Tatler's 100 Best Restaurants Awards and since it already have a couple of branches here in Manila, it clearly won Filipinos' taste buds.☺
Lime Green Tea something. I'm not sure and I can't find it in the web! Boohoo! But I loved it! I'm gonna choose this drink over again.
My family had been eating to different Chinese restaurants ever since I can remember! And soup is a must for us! Wonton Soup for starters, to heat the belly up! Though it's already sizzling here in Manila, it's still a must for us.☺
This is phenomenal! Steamed Pork Xiao Long Bao. Love at first bite! I think I can finish all of this in a seating! Last week when I went out with my mother to run errands, I almost forced her to eat here in Lugang just to order this but that didn't happen because my attention went to another cafeI've been wanting to try since forever, and that cafe won at the time so I'm gonna post about that experience soon enough.☺ Going back, you have to eat at Lugang! And you have to order this dimsum Xiao Long Bao. I don't even care if you order pork or shrimp or vegetable, just try this dimsum and see for yourself why I'm rambling. Haha!
I also cannot find the name of this viand anywhere in the web but it has curry. That's a little obvious, isn't it? :p I haven't mentioned yet that I ordered everything and since I'm in love with curry, I cannot pass on this yummm.☺
The reason why it's sooo hard to lose weight. Haha! Blame it on the rice. Fried rice for that matter. :D
Salt and Pepper Oyster. A very simple dish yet very tasty. And who doesn't love calamari w a twist anyway?☺
Dong Bo Pork Belly. This is sinful yet yummy! How can someone resist? The pork is cooked sooo tender, you won't have a hard time chewing! Heck, you don't even need to put pressure on your utensils when cutting it off. Green leafy vegy to balance it out a little. And the sauce, oh the sauce, it's like a fusion of awesomeness in a dish!☺
These steamed bun is included when you order the Pork Belly but since everyone in my family is a rice person, we didn't notice this one. Haha!
Oreo Ice Cream for my little brother. The serving was huge we ended up sharing!☺
Been a little busy these past few days with random stuff that's why I haven't been updating. Will try to catch up soon. For the meantime, it's time for my weekly song choice. And because I'm sooo hyped with Wanderland Music Festival, I'm gonna pick a song from one of the band that's included in the line up.☺
Up Dharma Down has got to be one of the best bands that existed in Philippine music industry. Their song lyrics and tunes captures the heart. If you haven't heard of them yet, go and listen to them. It's not a waste of time! And maybe you'll thank me after.
Armi Millare's voice has got to be one of my favorite voices ever. Florence Welch, Ellie Goulding, and Lana Del Rey level in my preference.♥ I'm really not good with music genres but I guess UDD is an indie rock band, and they're amaaaaaazeballs! I haven't seen them performed live yet that's why I'm soooo happy they're part of the Wanderland line up.☺ Hey, it's not yet too late to catch this amazing band plus 10 wonderful bands more. You can still get tickets for the first ever legit music festival in the Philippines. See you there!☺
Music is like eating food. Have a taste of everything first then you can choose what you love or hate the most afterwards. What you're gonna ask for more, and what you'll never gonna take again. I get skeptical look because I can go from mainstream to indie in a heartbeat with equal enthusiasm. I just happened to like variety, it makes my escape(earphones on, reality off) more fun and more me. I'm kind a moody and a little bipolar so there are some extremities on my music choices. Anyway, I'd been putting more on the not so mainstream side songs here so I'm changing that now. I'm gonna share My Love's amazing track from his new and brilliant album called The 20/20 Experience.☺
This song is one of my favorite from JT's new album, and that video is awesome! Love it! I like this song alongside Strawberry Bubblegum, Pusher Love Girl and That Girl. Maybe I've listened to these songs for a hundred times already since the album was released. Anyway, have you heard that there's going to be a Part 2 to the album? It's crazy! I'm sooo excited for that Part 2 to be released late this year.☺
When I was informed last February or March that Lawson, a British pop/rock band, is coming to Manila, I instantly said I'm sooo watching them! Because I love them, they look good! Right? :D And that's not all, their songs are really good for my opinion. My cousin introduced them to me and I instantly liked them after listening to their songs. As the date of their arrival approaches, my plans changed. I decided not to buy a ticket for their gig anymore because I have something else more important to buy. I was so bummed that I'm not going to see them!
Fast forward to April 9, 2013, my cousin(who introduced me to listen to Lawson) and I decided to go to Eastwood City without tickets or without even planning on buying one. We hoped to just hear them play live and that'd be enough. We were surprised that we saw them perform! We saw Andy Brown(vocals & guitar), Ryan Fletcher(bassist), Joel Peat(lead guitar), and Adam Pitts(drummer). We arrived in Eastwood at past 8pm and then a few minutes after we arrived, they started playing! Isn't that meant to be? OMG. I wanted to faint! Haha. Anyway, here are my videos. I'm a little far from the stage because as I've said, I don't have a ticket(prudent much?), but the sound quality's good sooo enjoy watching or listening.☺
Early on, when I'm just starting to listen to them, this is one of my favorite songs from their album. And I'm happy that they performed this!☺ They showcased 8 songs, 2 covers(Moves Like Jagger & Don't You Worry Child) and 6 songs(Make It Happen, Gone, Learn to Love Again, Taking Over Me, When She Was Mine, & Standing in the Dark) from their first ever album Chapman Square.☺
All four of them made my night! I loooove the part when Andy and Joel danced Ryzza's cha-cha. And I can't help but laugh when Andy changed some of the lyrics of Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger, especially the line "moves like Ryzza." They were having so much fun on stage that it rubs off to the audience! I was smiling the whole freaking time like I'm a fool. LOL. And I'm not gonna be able to sleep if I'm not gonna tell you this, Andy's soooo gorg! Actually all four of them are really hot but Andy's just my favorite member. Like, I'm not even kidding! I'm stunned until now!♥
Foreign artists love when fans or audiences sing the lyrics right back at them during gigs or concerts, and it's a perfect match because Filipinos love to sing and not just that, we sing the right lyrics at the right tune! Oooh, I really love the sing along part in any concert I've been to!☺ Anyway, did you notice that they sound like they're recorded? Yes, they're that good! And I'm so happy I got to see them for free(Haha!) before they get extremely famous because I'm pretty sure when they come back here in Manila, they're gonna play at the Smart Araneta Coliseum or SM Arena already and their ticket prices is gonna be crazy! Mark my word, love.☺
The last song. Encore. Everyone's favorite. The band members said in their past interviews that this song is the epitome of what sound they're going after. And I can't be more excited with their next album! I'm crossing my fingers on seeing them again, soon. Maybe next year? Aaaah, I love these lads especially Andeeeeeeeey! :p LAWESOME!!!♥
I'm fat. Like fat fat, not the kind of I'm-fat-but-nobody-else-can-see-my-fats. I think that when somebody sees me, that's what they think first. "She's fat." And I don't blame them because I am, and I'm not ashamed. But I should be. I know better now. I always thought it's in the genes, but then I realized it's more of my way of thinking. I do not exercise before, I do not limit myself when it comes to eating. But then it takes a toll on me. I get sick easily and often. When I get drizzled by day or night, I instantly get colds. When I'm so sad or stressed, I get ill. Tons of stuff like that, that made me think "Oh no! I'm gonna die young!" And I don't want to die young! For God's sake, I wanna travel more, watch concerts, get married, attend reunions, have kids, grow old with my partner, see my nieces and nephews grow up. There's sooo many things I still wanna do. That's what triggered my motivation to start eating healthy and start working out.☺
I just started a few weeks ago so there's no visible changes YET. But I'm positive I'm gonna lose weight and be really healthy. I posted these stuff to be motivated. It's more for myself than for anybody else so that when I lose the fire I have now, I can read this and be motivated again. I'm not aiming for Victoria's Secret angels bodies, I'm so gonna be happy with a decent weight that can make me wear whatever stuff I wanna wear. Being able not to buy the clothes you wanna buy because there's no available size for you is the worst thing ever. I swear! I already lost a couple of pounds, but I'm still obese I reckon so I'm not gonna stop. Like ever! Not even until I achieved the weight I want. Because I'm gonna maintain that personal ideal weight of mine and I'm gonna have dozens of selfies without my double chin or my big tummy. Haha!♥
I'm so ashamed of myself that I only got to know Emeli Sande last January. I can't believe it, she's sooo good she deserves to be known by everyone. What I meant by good is not just about her singing ability, but her writing ability as well! British people are sooo talented, they make me wanna go to London pronto. Haha! Ticket, visa, and pocket money, please!!! :p
So my song for this week is the first ever song I heard from Emeli Sande. I heard it in a UK radio station that I listen to from time to time because I admire the presenter. LOL. Is there such thing as too much honesty? :D Anyway, Grimmy introduced me to Emeli by playing this song on his Breakfast Show on Radio 1. And I heard her sing this song live while watching the Brits 2013. She won big awards like British Female Solo Artist and British Album of the Year at the Brits so listen to her! Check her out!☺
Yes, I'm melodramatic and I'm obsessed with songs like that. And so far, that type of songs are taking over the music industry at the moment like Bruno's When I Was Your Man, RiRi's Stay, or Pink and Nate's Just Give Me A Reason. I like listening to songs that makes my heart break or songs that gives a little pinch. Haha! A little masochist, aren't I? Haha! Listen to all of her songs, they're amazeballs!♥
It's official! I'm attending the first ever Karpos Wanderland 2013 on May 18. It's the premiere of what's going to be a legit annual music festival in the Philippines! You can describe Wanderland of Manila as a toddler-Laneway of Singapore or baby-Coachella of California. This is going to be my first ever music festival and I'm so excited not just because of the first-time-feeling but because I'm seeing The Temper Trap and Neon Trees live as well! Ticking stuff off my bucket list is my most favorite thing to do in the world!☺ I've liked both bands for a couple of years now. I discovered Sweet Dispostion from (500) Days of Summer while Animal from a radio host here in Manila that plays the song everyday in his show two or three years back. When I first heard both songs, both bands simply won me over. They sound very different but that's what I like most about music, it's not just about the beat or sound, but it's also about the lyrics and can also be about just the right feeling you get simply from listening to some songs.♥
Oh yes, it's a music fest so there are tons of artists from abroad and from here! I just focused on The Temper Trap and Neon Trees because I like them so much, I'm so glad they're coming here, and even more glad that I'm attending!☺
I've been reading stuff that says the ticket price's too expensive. But I personally think that thought depends on how you perceive things. Imagine watching 11 bands in a price of 1 plus seeing arts stuff that's going to be showcased in the festival? That's a freaking catch! Don't think of me as a spoiled girl who gets everything she wants because I also get that it's so damn hard to put out that amount of money and poof it's gone. So it all boils down on how much you want to watch the bands or if it's worth your money. Wanna know my take? You can read blog posts or like photos all you want but being there is a different story, being the one who posts the moment of the experience is a good feeling. And looking back after months or even years is bliss!♥
So internationally, I'm obsessing over the 2 bands above while locally, I'm also so excited to watch Up Dharma Down! Armi Millare's voice is heaven! So there, I know 3 bands; Actually I know 4 because I'm aware of Nada Surf because of One Tree Hill. I always prep myself up before concerts so I'm gonna prep myself up with this festival by trying to listen to some of the songs of other artists who are included in the line up, just to get to know them a little.☺
I hope to see you there! Buy your ticket! Go! Push! Let's prove everyone that it's more fun in the Philippines and let's have the best time of our lives that day! Deal?!
