Things I Miss: Doing Makeup

The last week of classes before Christmas vacation, what does that mean? ENGG WEEK! 

I thought that this year, I'll be able to participate in some games but apparently I didn't have time to join any. Still, I was able to help out my student org in one of the night events: Maskipaps.

Honestly, I still do not know what Maskipaps is supposed to be. All I know is that Maskipaps means "Maski Papaano" and it's an event where some bands play songs and students from different organizations wear their most fabulous selves to walk down the ramp. There's a theme every year and this year's theme is alien invasion.

I did the makeup for the four participants of my student organization. They did the conceptualizing and I just had to adhere to their concept.

This guy won first place in the solo category!

I started around 7pm or 8pm and finished 11pm. It was really tiring but I really had fun!! Last sembreak, I was cleaning my room and noticed my untouched makeup kit. I haven't done makeup for the longest time (I don't like wearing makeup myself) and I thought that I probably didn't enjoy it anymore. I was actually thinking about salvaging the said makeup kit (i.e. give away the stuff) but after this year's Maski event... maybe I'll invest on makeup brushes more. :)

I know I know, there are still a lot of things that I need to work on in terms of putting makeup (like symmetry) but hopefully, I'll get there.

Things I Miss: School

Yes, I may be in school almost everyday (even during summer) but being a teacher is still different from being a student.

I just got officially admitted to Masters studies. The same day, I checked my CRS page just to look at my new course. Haha, what a weirdo.

Ah, I miss sitting on those black fiber glass chairs and be the one listening and asking questions to the professor. And I know this sounds crazy but I sometimes miss cramming requirements, taking exams and seeing my exam results.

I also miss pre-enlisting classes and waiting for the randomized results. But then, pre-enlistment in graduate classes is easier than in undergraduate ones. There's less thrill, probably almost none.

I'm excited to learn new stuff (especially because my MS is different from my BS). However, graduate classes are in the evening. After a whole day of teaching and meetings, I don't know if I'll still be able to concentrate in class. I've enlisted a straight three-hour class. I'm sure my head will start drifting after an hour. 

Well... good luck! My feelings are mixed. I kind of dread the start of classes because I'm sure I'll be getting stressed and start growing pimples again. Teaching load + research load + study load = dead. But I'm also excited because... well, it's a new semester!

Things I Miss: Making Headbands

Mid-April, I was thinking about opening to commission projects again. But before I could announce anything, Kat asked me to make a fairy-ish headband she could use for her graduation rites. Perfect timing or what? :))

Kat gave it to me to design. She just said she wanted to look like a fairy. After weeks of thinking (it's my first time making something like this), I settled for flat velvet cords, handmade ribbon flowers and beads.

I would like a hippie band for myself right now. They'll look good with my summer uniform (I don't really have a uniform but you'll mostly see me wearing a circular skirt, a cotton shirt and Grendha sandals). I just need brown velvet cords but Landmak was out of stock the last time I went. I hope they restock before summer ends.

Things I Miss: Engineering Week

I apologize for the not-so-wholesome photo. Anyway, I'm sure you'll be amused with this post.

That is a straight man.

No, I'm not kidding. He's not a transsexual. He's not gay either. He's a straight man. And no, the photos are not heavily photoshopped as far as I know. And yes, that's his real body over there. And the person in the photo below is the same as the person in the photo above.

Haha isn't he both guwapo and maganda? Those are super pretty long legs too! Miss Aggregates 2011!! He's my orgmate and he's also from the ICE Structural Engineering Group like me. That's why I'm so proud of him! More photos of straight guys here and here. Aren't the photos great? The swimsuit photos were actually taken and directed by my high school classmate! He's so talented!

It's the time of the year again. Engineering Week, that is!

Engineering Week or Engg Week, as we normally call it, is a competition amongst engineering student orgs and fraternities hosted by the Engineering Student Council. It is held during the last week of classes before Christmas break. For that whole week, hundreds of different events (nothing too similar) are held, also sponsored by the orgs and fraternities but regulated by the student council. There are sport events (like basketball, volleyball, badminton and swimming), boardgame events (like Game of the Generals and Scrabble), quiz events (like an anime quiz bee and the Engineering Science quiz which I once personally headed), puzzle events, game console events, cosplay events, modeling events, crazy events (like throwing and catching raw eggs at the Sunken Garden, ultimate frisbee using bilao and water balloon fights), singing competition, dancing competition, band competition, theater play competition and even a beauty pageant. Sponsoring, winning and simply joining events correspond to certain EWOC points. Points are tallied until the end of the week and the highest-scoring organization gets to be the EWOC or the Engineering Week Overall Champion.

It is a week of competition. It's nothing simple. Everything is formalized (i.e. written in forms and signed by different people). Yes, it's serious business and everyone is competitive. If you have friends from other organizations, you have to forget about being friends with them whenever there is an event (no, they won't take offense, they'd do the same to you). Within that week, a lot of students would cut their classes and some professors would even cancel classes. During that week, the Engineering building becomes very chaotic. There are props and things on the corridors. People run and shout everywhere, sometimes even wearing weird clothes or clothes soaking in water or sweat or both. It's fun because you can practically go crazy and no one will stop you.

It's a whole week of stress and fun.

And even if it's just a week long, Engg Week preparations start even before semestral break. That's when people start saying "Engg Week na!"

I joined an engineering student organization during the second semester of my third year so I only got to experience Engg Week during my fourth and fifth year in college. To be honest, I wasn't satisfied with my two years of Engg Week experience. I know a few people who purposely extend their graduation just to be able to experience Engg Week for the last time! But of course I couldn't do that or my parents will kill me. LOL.

One remarkable event during Engg Week though is the beauty pageant called Miss Engineering or Miss Engg as we commonly call it. It's been there for so many years! It's the final Engg Week event. But instead of beautiful ladies, ONLY STRAIGHT MALES join the pageant to represent their respective organizations and they have to dress up like beauty QUEENS (not kings). They wear heels, makeup, bikinis and gowns. They wax/shave/pluck unwanted hair. They walk and act like real ladies. They also realize the "hardships" of being a woman. LOL. But no, really. The UP Theater gets filled with people because a lot of people (from Engineering or otherwise, from UP or otherwise) come to watch! The pageant is very funny. But beware, it's NOT wholesome at all! And I think it's pretty much obvious from the swimsuit photo I posted (but it gets much more un-wholesome during the pageant itself!)

I've been helping out my org's Miss Engg representative (Miss Aggregates) since 2009. I got harassed during the first time because it was too un-wholesome! But I kind of got used to ignoring the un-wholesome-ness during the second time. I'd usually help with the makeup and the costumes. I miss those stressful but fun times and those moments when I get to say "What the hell, why are these straight men prettier and hotter than me?!" :)) It's one of those rare occasions that I use my creativity inside the College of Engineering. Unfortunately, I can't be of much help to Miss Aggre this year because I'm too busy. :(

Anyway, this is Miss Aggre 2010 (last year). Isn't he so cute in that photo? He's channeling Princess Peach from Super Mario. Oh, I made his crown with felt cloth, glitters and acrylic stones! And that tube top (which was eventually embellished with acrylic stones) was originally mine hahaha!

photo grabbed from Minique

He's also guwapo!

photo grabbed from Tsongki

I miss putting makeup on people! (photo grabbed from Minique)

That is me putting makeup on Miss Aggre 2010. I've probably spent more time putting makeup on straight men than on ladies.

I hope these two guys don't kill me for posting these... their photos are all over Facebook anyway. And besides, I think it's very manly of these guys to accept this HUGE challenge. Not all guys can pull that off! And if you still want more photos, click here. 

Things I Miss: Studying

No I'm not being phony.

While randomly searching subjects in CRS, I found this subject, EgyE 297 (Special Topics) Sustainable Energy Development. I thought maybe I should sit in the class since I'm really interested in Sustainable Engineering and it could help me reinforce my decision to take MS Energy Engineering next semester. Also, the subject isn't offered regularly so it really had to be this semester even if I'm not enrolled.

And so I sat in the class last Saturday (!) even if I didn't have any business in school that day. I'm glad that the professor is really kind and immediately allowed me to sit in.

Things I Miss: Making Flowers

I just ran out of books to read (I just finished American Gods and Geisha of Gion this week) so I need something else to distract myself in order to keep the nervousness at bay. Heehee. XD

A close-up on the hair accessory I made for AME Monogatari:

I made this with the help of an internet tutorial (which, unfortunately, I didn't bookmark and it wasn't on top results too). I am happy with the result because this is the fluffiest hair flower I have ever made. And it's so easy to make too! I really miss crafting! I hope I can make some of these for Christmas gifts!

Don't mind my hair being everywhere, it's actually a good hair day. I normally can't wear my hair down because it's frizzy but it's been behaving recently and I dunno the reason but I appreciate it anyway.

Yesterday, I went to Baclaran church with my Mom. After hearing mass, we dropped by the area that sells stuff (it's pretty much like Divisoria Mall and Tutuban Mall). I can't remember the last time I went to that kind of place. I got a loose striped polo (boyfriend shirt, as they call it). It costs PhP250 but my mom was able to haggle it down to PhP180! She's probably one of the best hagglers in the world, LOL. If it were just me, I'd probably stop haggling at PhP220 or PhP200! Not the best of quality but it's something trendy and I don't invest on trendy clothes because once the trend dies down, I won't be able to wear them anymore.

I also got these two rings:

The blue one costs PhP120 and the black one costs PhP150 but I got the two for PhP200 because of mom's haggling powers. I'm really starting to like rings that wrap around my fingers (like this)! I wanted to buy more of them. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stick around Baclaran much because I still had to study. 

You see, I don't exactly like wearing accessories even though I love making them because they bother movement sometimes (if not most of the time) but maybe I'll try changing my disposition a bit. :)

Things I Miss: Alfahkr's and Moonleaf

Before I graduated, I started frequenting Maginhawa Street with friends. Whenever we had long breaks at noon and had budget, we'd eat lunch and drink milk tea. Or if it's a Friday night, we'd eat somewhere and then stay at Moonleaf. It was pretty much mundane.

Recently, of course, I haven't been able to do that. Today, however, I got the chance to hang out with my friends Jijo and Sean.

We ate at Alfahkr's (Persian food place near Friuli and Crazy Katsu). I love that place! For some reason, there's never much people at any time of the day (or night). Perhaps not much people appreciate Persian food? But I really like it!

Pretty friend Sean

Things I Miss: Cooking

I didn't go to school last Monday so that I could rest. Bad cough. But I still went to Landmark to buy ingredients for food for Dad's birthday. So much for rest, haha

No, this one's not for Dad's birthday. It's my lunch last Monday. Haven't been able to cook my food since I got so busy. Last semester, I'd even go home early so that I can cook dinner for the family but obviously, I can't do that now! Haha.

Potato-Onion bake and fresh lemonade

I loved it perhaps because I love onions and spices and potatoes!

nomnomnom

I also made blueberry cheesecake last Monday for Dad's birthday yesterday. I got the recipe here, I swear, it's a good recipe! It's not too sweet, it really tastes like CHEESEcake. Haha.

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE!

I couldn't use the springform pan I bought from Cooks Exchange last summer because it's rusting. I'm actually very disappointed because that cost more than 500 pesos and I've only used it once for a chiffon cake. :( I dry it properly so I don't know what caused the immediate rusting. Goodbye, 500 pesos. :( I'll just buy a non-stick one next time. Anyway, good thing my parents invested in these Corelle ceramic pans.

I also baked zucchini, eggplant and tomatoes yesterday. It wasn't that good for me. I should have just prepared the onion and tomato bake instead. But it's healthy anyway.

Zucchini, Eggplant and Tomato Bake

Things I Miss: Studying

No, really.

trusty calculator since high school!

Nowadays, I'm the one who's giving the exams and checking tons of papers. Nowadays, I'm the one standing with my back facing the whiteboard (except when I'm writing on it).

Things I Miss: Sewing Headbands

I can remember a bit how I came to making headbands.

I was randomly looking at Multiply and I saw a site that sells handmade headbands at crazy prices. I thought, "Hey, that's overpriced, that's almost cheating and I think I can make those lacy headbands too! I think." Yes, I'm kuripot like that.

And then one day, my orgmate, Lira, asked me if I can sew a headband for her costume for our org's themed Christmas party. That time, I've only started making mini-top hats but I said I'd take the headband as a challenge. Of course, I did warn Lira that it's going to be my first time. The headband turned out to be a headband although it wasn't that pretty. But tolerable, I HOPE. Anyway, I just commissioned it at a low price since it's my first ever headband.

After some time, Lira asked me again to make a headband for one of her cosplays. Well, I did a better job with that headband, at least. (I have a photo of Lira wearing the headband but I dunno if she's okay with me posting her photo here lol).

Then Kat, another orgmate (who is also Lira's best friend from high school) asked me to make a headband for her! And whenever she had "headband needs", she'd ask me to make them for her.

She's even asked me to make the headband and wristcuffs for her creative grad pic!

Pink, white, lace, ribbons, faux pearls, can't get any girly-er!

close-up on the wristcuff

One time I made a headband out of boredom and I decided to give it to Kat as a birthday gift. She's a friend and a constant client after all!

I used the crocheted cotton lace which I really loved!

Yuri has also asked me to make [a challenging] one for her!

Yuri's headband: rose and feathers

And then one time, I posted pictures of my crafts on Facebook supposedly for documentation purposes but it served another purpose: advertising. It was my graduating/thesis semester but commissions came in! Not much, but still. Anyway, I was able to pull them off by doing one commission per week.

I don't really put much profit on my headbands. Afterall, I'm not yet THAT good at sewing and it's just a hobby. The undersides of my headbands don't look pleasing. But I guess I just love working with lace, ribbons, beads so I take the commissions despite being busy.

Did I mention that I only learned how to sew by holding a thread and a needle, by occasionally asking my grandma and my dad and most of all by intuition whenever I needed to mend some clothes? Home Economics in my high school was mostly baking (which is awesome) and Home Economics in my elementary school thrived on theory (which is disappointing) so I never had training in school.

But really, I just have to thank Lira for "jumpstarting" this hobby and to my loyal customer-friends for sustaining the said hobby haha. I still have a long way to go with sewing and designing but I'll do my best!

Things I Miss: Room Decorating

I noticed recently that aside from being my memory storage, I haven't been able to stick much to my blog's purpose. This is also supposed to be a place to show my love for crafts, baking and pretty things. Unfortunately, my super busy schedule has not allowed me to do those things recently. Things I Miss (TIM) series will be dedicated to... well, things I miss and these will mostly be about crafts, food and pretty things I made in the past or if a miracle happens and I manage to make these things despite my busy schedule. I will not restrict myself to food and crafts, though.

Warning: This is going to be very disjointed/incoherent.

***

Today, TIM is about decorating my room.

This is my bed's headboard. Those colorful things were either given to me as a gift or bought from Landmark. I've had them for years! And no, they don't disturb my sleep. For one, I don't move when I sleep (I only roll around my bed when I CAN'T sleep) and perhaps I'm also used to the sound it makes.