Corporate Attire with a Fashion Twist + Marites Vitug's Book Launching + RB's Birthday

Wednesdays are Corporate Attire days! The four of us donned different floral designs on our dresses on that day. Hence, the dainty girl in us jumped for joy for the floral party. Rafael is a photobomb.

That day, September 26, was RB's birthday. The one wearing that cute floral blazer.

Yes, we're still fashionable, despite the corporate-attire rule. We bring fashion into the formal world of the legal profession. There's no law in fashion, right? 

Since it was RB's birthday, we surprised her with kalamay, sandwich, chocolate cake, mocha cake, her favorite steak sauce, her favorite lip balm, and some other stuff.

Eating time!

After snacks, we went down to attend the book launching of Marites Vitug's Hour Befor Dawn: The Fall and Uncertain Rise of the Philippine Supreme Court. This is a sequel to her Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court. She's the one and only (I suppose) journalist who has been sued for libel by a Justice of the Supreme Court. Fortunately for her, all the charges filed against her were voluntarily dropped by the Justice himself. I loved her speech! You can really tell that she's a great journalist with the content and substance of her speech. I was even engaged to listen to her all throughout her entire speech. It's very seldom that I listen to a speaker, I only listen when the speaker speaks with wit and humor. She has those. She was even so honest about naming her book Twilight to jump into the popular saga and attract attention, but her editor suggested Hour Before Dawn, so as not to be so obvious. I commented that's it similar to Breaking Dawn, though. Anyway, what is most interesting about her speech is the part where she narrated her conversation with Justice Velasco over dinner, about dropping the charges against her. Unfortunately, I could not afford to buy her book, because I'm saving my money for Big Bang's concert, but my other classmates are so lucky to buy her book (at a discounted price) and to have her signature on the book, personally signed by her after the purchase.

Class picture! We waited for our professor to arrive, expecting that he was going to have a lecture after the book launching. While waiting, we took class pictures, because we love our section. 408 love!

Since our professor did not arrive, we went off to RB's house for dinner. Foooood!

At RB's house, having photo op after dinner, right after our tummies were filled with so much delicious food. That's her mom in yellow. Can I just say that I adore her mom? She is so fun and talkative. She loves to take pictures of us and really wants us to do wacky all the time. 

This is the kind of wacky that her mom wants. Both arms raised, tongues out, and big grins on our faces. She says we're too formal, but we were just shy. So yeah, she got what she wanted.

We were going upstairs to their rooftop and party the night away with a drinking session. It was really fun, you can see it on our faces.
Thank you, RB! Happy birthday! We, 408, love you!


All photos belong to Charro, the pretty girl in pink skirt and lace top. Thank you for the photos!


P.S. I tweaked my blog, again. It's somewhat a major change, because it's the entire template that I changed, including the fonts. I opted for minimalism, because I think my previous (newly edited) template was too girly and dainty for me. It doesn't fit me. I'm not too girly and dainty. I preserved the header, though. I love it too much at this moment, so I'll allow myself to marvel and savor my header.

Through the Eyes of Instagram

I bought this notebook at National Bookstore. I was elated when I found this notebook, and I never let it go the moment I got my hands on it. The quote is very significant to me, because I've read this quote somewhere. It was an article about a group of volunteers who planted trees in the city (somewhere). Forgive me for forgetting where that was, and for having no link for that article. I think it was for Greenpeace or ONE, but I'm really uncertain. I totally forgot! Pff! My senior moment.

Squeal! Aren't my stick-on notes the cutest? So kawaii! I only bought them at a Novo Store in Mindanao last summer. I think they only cost P15. Cheap, right? That's why I immediately bought them, though I still have stick-on notes. You know, those plain, boring-looking ones.

Milk tea! I'm recently addicted to milk tea, thanks no less to my sister who is also a milk tea addict. I miss her, but she's arriving tomorrow, so I guess it's a milk tea date with her then. These were Anina's treat! Her birthday was on September 27. I hope she's happy with Raz and I's gift for her. 

My very own copy of Preview Magazine's September Issue! On the cover are my favorite fashion bloggers, Tricia Gosingtian, Laureen Uy, and Camille Co.

This cute elephant mug was gifted by my best friend, Meg. Ahhh. I miss her! We're so busy with our studies, so we seldom hang out. I hope we can see each other this sem break. I miss you, Meggy!

Meet Baby Dime! Yes, he's been featured in my blog for countless times (I'm exaggerating). I love this kid so much! His eyes are wonderful! Look at them. They're so cuuuuuute! His hair are like those of Rock Lee. Dimebag! Dimebag!

Another Dimebag set of photos because I love him too much. He's such a geeky kid! His toys are no less than iPad, iPhone, and SII. Kids these days!

The cutest caterpillar I have ever seen! Took this photo years ago when I was still a PolSci student in TC. My friends and I saw him crawling on the roadside. I'm usually afraid of eeky, crawly stuff, but this one's an exception. It's too cute to resist.

I've had problems that seems like a never-ending bridge to pass. I'm stuck in the middle of the bridge, not knowing where to go. Tears falling, heart palpitating, breath losing. What am I gonna do? Should I jump off the bridge and end it all. I was slowly getting fixed, but now I'm all broken. Shattered into pieces in one whip. I don't know what to do. I'm gradually decaying... dying... perishing. But I will always believe. My bridge is fully constructed, and it leads to a life where God wants me to reside.

"We'll cross the bridge when we get there."

Follow me on Instagram, @marszhel.

P.S. I did minor tweaks in my blog. Did you notice my new header? It's so Victorian, right? I've always wanted to incorporate a Renaissance design in my blog. I was suppose to go into a major change, but my blog can't handle the major changes. I have to revert back to the classic template, but when I did, my gadgets were all obliterated! I did not panic, though, because I was able to backup my beta template. Reverting back to classic template is always a failure for me. My CSS and HTML editing skills are getting rusty already. I don't know how to edit them, anymore. Boo! My only solution is to update it to beta template, again, and just make use of the template designer. Oh well.

Abandoned Shell to Abandoned Semester

The first semester of law school has officially concluded. Freedom! It went too fast, but I won't complain. I've been meaning for the semester to end, because I'm overly excited for October 24. With the end of the semester, my blogging duties must resume. Poor abandoned blog. Frown not, my dear blog, I'm back and I'll be bombarding you with explosive posts. Prepare for a series of explosions. My C4 will be detonated in 5 4 3 2 1. BOOM!

We took a stroll months ago in the old Shell Depot in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. They have abandoned this lot. Rumors floated that a Gaisano Mall will be constructed here, but I think it won't happen. Mainly because a Gaisano Mall is under construction in the same barangay. It's less likely that two same malls will be constructed in one barangay. I fervently hope a mall will be constructed here, though, preferably Ayala or SM.

The island just across is Cebu. This strait separates Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City.

It so happened that subsistence fisherman were fishing that afternoon. Took a photo of them to consecrate their diligence. Don't be shy, kuya. Just smile and wave, boys. Just smile and wave.

Spot Raddison Blu Hotel across the sea!

I laugh abnormally. Forgive my stupid, happy face.

Spot Robinland Penthouse where we had our acquaintance party last year. Woot! Woot!

Model pose! My cousin is as abnormal as me, but I don't know how to pose like a model, though.

I told you she's abnormal as me.

My Mama's jump shot.

My first ever perfect (more or less) jump shot. Not to mention my lion hair. Hoorah!

So this is how tall the grasses get in an abandoned place. Wow! These grasses could grow as tall as the bamboos! I'm amazed. I wanna have bamboo grasses in my lawn...someday.

Right after this stroll, we headed to my cousin's house. There, we stuffed our tummies with barbecues! I swear, her yaya is the best barbecue cook in town! The barbecues are well marinated, savory, and flavorful. Better than Larsian and Fon's barbecues. Promise. I'm not being biased.

I love random, out-of-the-blue strolls with my loved ones. I was at a delirious stage the entire semester, but a break will suffice to calm me down. There's nothing like a fresh walk, the cold wind meeting your skin, and all the forest green. This is the closest vibe of nature I could get in a bustling city. I have no time to go to the South and the North side of Cebu, but now that the semester is over, I could go to anywhere I want, wherever I want (if my budget permits). Yes, I always take into consideration my budget. In fact, it's my primary consideration. I'm a full-time law student. I'm not working, hence, I have no salary. I only depend on my allowance for all my expenses. That's why I'm forever grateful to my kind-hearted relatives who never forget to slap me with cash every once in a while. I have a job offer, but I don't think I can manage juggling law school and work. I even don't know how to manage my time now that I don't have a job, much less if I'm already working.

Before deciding on whether to work or not, I'm remaining in my celebrating mood for the semestral break. I've overcome a semester of law school. It's an achievement in itself, but I am still in an agony anticipating for my grades. I hope I'll pass all the subjects. Not just me, but all of us; all my fellow classmates and friends. I've said that I would give up law school if I'll get a decent job in LA, even just a janitor to mop the floor of Staples Center. That's a decent job. I'm that desperate to go see Kobe Bryant. But really, it all depends on my grades. If I pass, then I'll continue, but if I fail just one subject, I might not. So universe, if you really want me to pursue this, you'll let me pass all my subjects. I believe that I will my pass all my subjects, though. My belief and prayers have always been helpful. What I believe and pray for always (or most of the time) manifest in real life. That's always my secret, which is not a secret anymore. BELIEVE.