jonettevalenciano.com

photo courtesy of Dappers.

嬉しい (ureshii):

Outside, fireworks whizz and bang and boom for all their money's worth, and cars and sirens blare themselves hoarse in defiance to the wet weather. People eat, drink, kiss. Making merry, plans, resolutions, and perhaps for the lucky few, love.

The beer is setting in. Perhaps it was a bad decision to go Strong Ice. Meh. Only thing on the fridge anyway, and I'm not to sure about popping open the rhum or the gin. It's nice and warm now in my belly, but it's not enough to keep me from thinking I should be all warm and alcohol fuzzed, snuggled asleep in your arms.

It's been years, and you still give me the love-shivers.

You've been quite perplexing, baby. It's been a very weird time with you, and really, sometimes you can get very infuriating. You love pulling fast ones on me, and I will still have some trouble getting over those. (Well, I probably will eventually, but still!) You've too often sent me running for my time, and money, and health, and have made me extract that last, last burst of energy I never knew existed -- both to finish the job, and maybe, just hopefully, have enough left over so I can wring the living daylights out of you. Then, you pull another fast one, and sweep me off my feet with very random and exhilarating moments. Creative conquests, family and friends, and pat on the back or a kiss on the forehead for a job exhaustingly yet well done -- It's enough to drive a girl crazy, but I gotta admit, you make a woman out of me.

You've been as wierd as I am, dear 2008, and for that I am thankful for you, and yeah, I think I do like you.

You've been tough on me in more ways than I care to count, but you've also brought me so much joy. You've taught me the value of learning, and what it is to eke out as much of it as I can because the world does turn and will not wait for me. You've shown me the value of intense work and intense play, and how too much or too little of each other can be very bad for you. You make me redefine the words Family and Friends in my vocabulary over and over again, and thus, you make me practice what I teach.

You reduce me to terrible metaphors and half-turned phrases, and all I can do is be very, very sincere.

I now know that Love sounds like peaceful snoring beside you on a cold, wet evening, and that makes me happy.

You've given me cold, hard bones, 2008, and all I can think off right now is how amazing it's all been giving them flesh and blood, giving it a face, giving them bones a voice that sings the truth.

You are astonishing, 2008. And I love you.

Photo courtesy of Kuky Ideas.

Don't ask me, but I find this photo immensely refreshing right now.

There are some places where I'd rather be lost in than buss about to finish chores in. Cubao Expo is one of them.

show, not tell.

Pinoy cabs have this way of waking you up through a traffic jam.

And I had to quickly head for home. Bagfuls of Tapuy and Lambanog for Christmas gift-giving to relatives are not the lightest of loads.

Missed the first part of the story? Read it here.

My clock now officially reads 1:35pm. I really need to put down my corset project for today. I've been seam-ripping and putting certain parts back together and hemming this since 10:00 am. I've been hemming since 10:00 am on only four hours of sleep. I officialy must be insane.

Haaaay... Y'see, this is exactly the kind of thing my boyfriend scolds me for, and not in a Donna Summer kind of way. I really need to discipline myself when it comes to activities and time management. Once I start, it's really difficult for me to put something down until I see it take some form close enough to how I'd envisioned it. I think this is something I got from my mom.

The fact that a small-sized serving of coffee kept me wired for most of the night does not help. At all. *mighty sigh*

Well then. Might as well suck it in and head off for a bath. (No, Subconcious, you are not going for another corset-run. No, that does not take "just a teensy while". I've put away the sewing machine, and tied up the cord. I mean it.)

(Hmm. Surprising fact: Donna Summer once sung for a Pokemon Movie. Who'da thunk?)

On a more positive note... Yesterday was very good proof that God is a DJ.

You know you've grown with someone for such a long time when you hear tunes you disliked as a teen and now find yourself singing along to (once more, with feeling! and emoting!), not because you know he likes them but because you sincerely and secretly(!) rocked out to them all along.

These made my day.

Bon Jovi

So, tell me... what song is playing in your head right now?

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I have finally and properly pinned the panels of the corset, and have sewn them together.

Heaven help us all.

Oh, I haven't told you?

Well, the corset was supposed to complement the gray skirt, and well, Life started happening so quickly as it always does, and I had to set it aside.

It's quite possible I may set it aside again after sewing the outer layer and the lining.

I do intend to shape it to match my curves, and I also do intend to add boning to it. Although the original tutorial used a different type of stiffening material, it doesn't hurt to experiment, right?

So, there.

I'm hankering right now to make myself a new skirt in time for the holidays (here we go again, jumping from one project to the next), but all in good measure.

We now return to our viewing of The Duchess, as scheduled. ^_^

For what happens next, click here.