Why I Like Old Things

Sometimes, I feel like everything is just going by so fast and I need to hold on to something to stay sane.  #naks

During the break, I was given time to do some spring-cleaning. As I was sorting through old stuff, I happened to unearth a dangerously addictive discovery that has morphed into my ultimate favorite time-wasting activity—SCRAPBOOKING.

I know scrapbooking can be associated with other “granny-esque” activities like knitting or cross-stitching. I have been given the “you can’t be serious” look whenever I talk about scrapbooking the way others would talk about cross fit or mountain climbing. But I find it so… therapeutic.

I indulge in old photos, old letters, old candy wrappers from crushes, wine corks from special events, dried up petals from special bouquets, old videos, test papers, tickets, brochures, old Ateneo Registration forms, ids, notes passed, receipts from sentimental purchases. And a lot of journals. I mean, A LOT.

I am brought back to a time where exchanging friendship bracelets meant more than signed contracts.

I read old love letters that mean so much more to me now after having truly experienced falling in love—and how awful it must be if those PANTS and MASH predictions ever came true!

I watch old videos of school presentations and I remember performing with all of my heart, without the burden of being criticized on twitter.

I see old medals and awards and feel encouraged about how hard work always pays off.

I see old neoprints and Picture City “barkada package” shots and think, “gandang ganda na ko sa sarili ko sa lagay na yan???” hahaha!

In these moments, I am able to relive the good and filter out the bad. And as I gather more for legitimate “scrapbooking purposes,” I can’t deny that there’s just something intrinsically beautiful about a happy thought… preserved on a page, glued to comfort, sprinkled with the bittersweet glimmer of time past. 

Sometimes, I feel like everything is just going by so fast and I need to hold on to something to stay sane. So I hold on to memories and enjoy basking in the wonderful feeling of those moments just a bit more before I am whisked off to another season in my life, and onto another crisp blank page.

P.S. Here are my treasures. Bilang pambawi dahil mahighit one year din akong di nagsulat, feel free to browse and laugh. Di pa ko marunong mag pluck ng kilay noon. 

I keep plane tickets, movie tickets, wine corks, cards, alikabok...

I don't even remember where some of these items were from! Hahaha!

A page from one of my scrapbooks. A trip to New York with Billy and my family :)

NEOPRINT! Umamin kayo ginawa niyo rin to!!! 

And of course, no malling experience would be complete without a barkada package photo.  After kumain sa food court at bumili ng Mocha Frappe sa Starbucks. Hahaha!

My super smart sister Dani. Hihihi kyooooot!

At a piano recital. As you can see, mahilig ako mag extra rice before.

During a Betty Boop dance number back in Senior Casa (I went to a Montessori school).

As Wendy (na bungi) in Peter Pan.

Now wasn't that fun? :p 

My Pimpled Prom

I have only ever been to one prom. 

Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of those girls na paramihan ng prom na napuntahan. Well for one, my high school didn’t have a prom (this and other interesting rules from my high school on a different entry). And the other reason, I’m guessing, was because of the big red pus-filled glowing embarrassing signs of puberty and hormonal imbalance that covered my face. 

Yes, dear friends, I had major ACNE problems.

Behold, Exhibit A. 

 

Can you imagine going to school every day looking like that? Buti nalang I went to a Christian school at hindi ako pinagtatawanan to my face kasi bawal. Patago lang. You know who you are. Haha!

Since we didn’t have our own prom at school, my only hope was to get invited by an outsider. But then I thought, what are the odds of THAT ever happening?

My mom and I had already gone to 6 different dermatologists in the span of one year, in the hopes of finding that miracle cure. I’ve undergone excruciatingly painful procedures (both physically and emotionally) just to clear my face. Nothing seemed to make my condition better.

I’ve had to enviously watch my other flawless friends experiment with cheek tint and face powder because I couldn’t put anything on my face that wouldn’t make me break out even more. 

But as fate would have it, I got invited to ONE prom. And I’m pretty sure I wasn’t even my date’s first choice. It was more of an arrangement with his mother who happened to be my music teacher. To protect my subject, his identity will be withheld. Itago nalang natin siya sa pangalang Rigor. Hehe. And Rigor was my first and last high school prom date.

On the day of the prom, my mom and I did our best to cover up my blemishes. And when I say “cover up”, I mean aspalto! Wala pa kaming alam sa pag-countour or shading. At hindi rin namin alam na dapat hanggang leeg ang powder. Looking at the photos now, I can almost hear Luis Manzano say, ”mukha kang member ng Jabbawockeez”.

Despite my insecurities, I decided to just enjoy the evening. And that I did! Rigor was very kind. He never once commented on my face, and was a gentleman through out the whole evening.

Although nervous for most of the time, my evening had many unforgettable moments. I got to wear a corsage. I got to experience walking into a ballroom full of giggling girls dressed in their best with soon-to-be-men in suits borrowed from their kuyas. I got to witness nervous teenagers trying to impress each other with their table manners. I got to meet new people and make new friends. I got to slow dance to “I Do” by 98 Degrees (Rigor, if you’re reading this, sorry for my pasmadong kamay!).

And the best part was bringing home with me a studio shot of my date and I at the ballroom with matching cheesy background (children, wala pa kaming Photobooth noon). 

        

The point is… Ano nga ba yung point ko? Actually, walang point. I just wanted to share with you all my prom experience. Because it’s prom season. 

Some of you may be going through the same skin dilemma. Don’t worry it’s just a phase (pun intended). Lilipas din yan guys. For one thing, it will teach you to be nicer to people. Kasi pag chaka ang face mo, wala kang right manglait ng iba, diba? :p 

But seriously, I understand how this seemingly superficial issue of acne can affect a confused and insecure teenager. I’ll eventually do an Acne Entry and include skin dos and don’ts, products you can use, and stuff you can eat or drink to have better skin. But for now, just bring with you your confidence and your manners and make a decision to ENJOY the evening.   

Oh, and don’t forget to include your neck when putting on foundation. ;)

*For a future entry, I would like for you guys to send in questions regarding acne, skin care, and anything of that nature. Nothing too medical, ok? Hanggang “epidermis” lang ang naiintindihan ko. :p