Hello! How are you?

 Hello Gorgeous Reader!

It is more than 1 year AC (After Covid) 😅 and you being able to read this blog is a celebration in itself. You survived something that 3 million people (and counting) did not. So take a moment and let that sink in.

I basically stopped blogging 2 years ago... the blogger platform is just a lot of work when it comes to uploading photos and videos in the blog. But right now, I've been confined at home for a month and a half. I'm dangerously teetering between joining Tiktok or starting a Youtube channel. 😂 Not that they're bad but I'm just more of a writer. 😁

It's funny that the world has changed so dramatically and yet my life seems to be on a stand still. Anxiety feels a lot like boredom. I've got a million things that I want to do that I'm too afraid to start. I had a lot of plans before the Pandemic. I'm the "5-Year Plan" kind of person and yet here I am doing nothing! 😂 I really feel joy for people who have found their calling or success during these times. I wish I had their passion and determination.

I've been keeping myself busy... but not really the 'productive' kind of busy. I may just go into details about them in another blog. (fingers crossed 🤞 I won't be too lazy to write again) I've learned a few new skills, went on a journey to the past, became an 'Otaku', fell into the rabbit hole of Netflix, Youtube, and other streaming service.

I really wanted to write about many things sooner. I just wondered if it was appropriate with all that's been going on. So now that it's been a year, I assume that readers would be more open to another perspective and less sensitive about things. I understand a lot of people have lost a loved-one. But writing is somehow my way of coping so here it goes. 

How have you been coping? 

Movie Review: Joker (2019 Film)

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

If I were to describe the movie in one word; it would be... "brilliant"

Spoiler Warning if you have not seen the movie yet because I may mention some key plot twists or what-not that may ruin your viewing experience. So here we go!

 I left the cinema thinking 'OMG I think I need a therapist to debrief me from this movie'.😅 It's the kind of movie that leaves you speechless with a heavy feeling in your heart. To be honest I've previously written a whole review full of 'feels'. It wasn't until I watched the press interviews and the director's commentary that I finally understood 'the joke' that Arthur remarked "you wouldn't get it".  (I'll get to that later).

It was a really good movie. Mainly because Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur was absolutely phenomenal. I say this because he was unrecognizable. I wasn't watching Joaquin; it was a whole new person on screen. I was genuinely scared of him in the movie that watching his movie promo interviews have me on the edge of my seat. 😆 The direction and production were also well done. Except maybe for a particular point in the movie where the background music was too overpowering that you can't really focus on the scene because there's like an annoying honking horn distracting you.

The plot blew me away. I had low expectations when it came to the plot because it's a DC film and I'm especially relieved that Joker's mother is not named "Martha" 😉😅😆. 

Let's address the plot. I have watched a lot of Youtube movie reviews, read a lot of rants and praises on social media about the plot. Arthur tells a convincing tragic story of a mentally ill man who is a victim of the unjust social system that pushed him into insanity and violence.

But let me explain to you why this movie is pure brilliance. At the very last scene of the movie, Arthur was being interviewed by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist asked "What's funny?" He then answers "You wouldn't get it". You see, Joker is a con artist. In fact, the entire movie is... (wait for it).... a tall tale. Yes, people! The entire movie is an elaborate tall tale created for the pop-culture obsessed audience (that's YOU!). Arthur Fleck narrates a story that is literally lifted from other movies along with elements of modern real-life issues. Added with a couple of humorous scenes and ultimately tailored to be convincingly his own story.

Some of the movies that Joker incorporated in his tall tale are "Taxi Driver" and "King of Comedy" both starred by Robert De Niro. The fact that De Niro is in the Joker movie is already 'a massive clue'. Even Arthur's mom is named "Penny". Get it? "Pennywise" the clown! 😆 They also lifted plot twists from movies like "Inception" that leaves you wondering which scenes are 'real'; "Fight Club" with the imaginary girlfriend reveal and "Star Wars" with the Thomas Wayne is your father scene which I found really cheesy. 😂 There's probably more movie reference that I just didn't catch.

I guess the most controversial part of the movie is how it incorporated real-life experiences of regular people (the audience). People who are frustrated of our modern society that lauds the rich and famous but neglects the people who live in poverty. It depicts the ordeals of people who are being bullied, who are battling anxiety, depression, trauma or mental illness. The scene where Arthur is taking notes at a stand-up bar and mimicking laughter is comparable to the distress of people with autism such as Asperger's syndrome. Part of the reason why Joaquin Pheonix's acting was so convincing is the fact that he himself had gone through a traumatic experience with the loss of his only brother. That makes the movie so tangible and compelling that it may thread too close to reality. Especially because the Joker uses the said experiences to justify his violent behavior and crimes. That is where the debate on ethics begins. The thought that somebody (with mental illness) somewhere (in possession of a weapon) would see this film and think "hmm Arthur is just like me" gives me CHILLLLSSS. 

Now-a-days, people are too quick to react positively or negatively to any news without even bothering to check if it's true. A lot of people were quick to rant on social media about how the society neglects mental health problems and that our society today is unjust and cruel. That shows how compelling the movie was. Movie goers took the comic-book film about a fictional character as a real-life reference. The final interview scene itself is a parody of how gullible people have become. To believe in such a fantastic story that is somehow relatable. We've become a society of clowns; idolizing fake people, tuning into fake news, believing fake history articles. Clowns who deceive and are being deceived on social media. And that credulous characteristic is what will lead to our own destruction just like the psychiatrist at the end of the film.



And THAT is the punch line; the brilliance of the movie. The joke was on us and "we still didn't get it".

To wrap things up; I'd say that "JOKER" is a well-executed and more importantly thought-provoking movie that re-invents the viewing experience; the best plot for a DC film I've watched and Joaquin Phoenix's best portrayal by far.

#oscarworthy

Momgyver: Carton box Shoe Organizer Project

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

Have you ever experienced a "shoexplosion"? You know, that explosion of shoes your kids make inside the shoe cabinet. Well, I have an easy, cost-free solution.

I just want to share with you a very simple 'one-afternoon' project that you can do while the kids are asleep. It's also more of a recycling project that doesn't need any expensive materials.


Start with milk carton boxes.

Cut the boxes in half horizontally.

Then line the peices up and stick them together with hot glue.

Finally wrap it with a cute gift wrap paper or any large paper that's available at home. You can even wrap it with plastic cover after.

Now, your children's shoes are organized and easy to find. (Plus! It saves a lot of cabinet space.)

5 Tips on Getting Rid of Pimples / Acne

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

About five years ago, I have been diagnosed with PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Among the many ‘amazing’ symptoms of this condition are severe dysmenorrhea, facial hair (omg!)  and of course the wonderful giant acne on the face and even back area! (SIGH~) Although, I have been experiencing these symptoms since my teenage years. It was only then that I finally found the explanation for all my horrible memories.

Having giant, painful and super embarrassing pimples on my face has been my total nightmare for years. Now that I am 30 and with two daughters I still have acne breakouts. I suppose I will have to live with it forever.

Even though getting rid of all my acne is quite impossible; I’ve managed to lessen my acne breakout by doing the following tips:

1. Cut Your Nails –  Say goodbye to your long nails. The dirt under your nail is the number 1 culprit. I noticed that every time my nails grew longer I would always have a pimple on my face. I always cut my nails super short so that no dirt can stick under it.  Sacrifices need to be made and it’s either your face or your hand. Take your pick.

2. Change Your Sheets – Change your pillowcase, sheets and towels often. Once a week if possible. That’s where you rest your face! If you are going to put your face on a dirty pillow every night; definitely pimples will thrive. Make sure any cloth that comes in contact with your face is clean. Dirty handkerchiefs, clothes, towels and so on are big No-no’s…

3. Keep your Hair Away – Your hair is the silent farmer of your pimples. Your hair, just like your fingers catches dirt all the time. Just imagine flipping your hair is like putting fertilizer for your pimple farm on your face. (Gross!) I love having bangs/fringe but it always leads to pimples on my forehead. I recommend the magical thing called headband. You may also use a turban, hair-tie, bandana or wearing a scarf on your hair when you travel. As much as possible keep your hair away from your face.

4. Wash Your Face – Wash your face at least twice a day. Use a strong soap. I wouldn’t recommend a specific brand of soap because each skin is different. My pimples visibly lessened when I used “Carrot Soap”. It’s pretty strong and it will give you a burning sensation the first few days of use. But it really worked wonders for me. I am now using Kojie-San which gives me a similar sensation with Carrot Soap. I also used both soaps as my body soap as well so I get to save some time in the shower. I suggest using a soap that has some form of acid and alcohol combination that helps kill the bacteria. In addition, avoid putting creams or make-up on your face. That pimple is an infected skin, would you cover an open wound with make-up?

5. Avoid Oily Food – This is a no brainer. If you are eating super oily food then your face will most likely get oily as well. The more oil on your face the easier it is for dirt to stick to it and thus produce more pimples.

So that’s it. Again, these tips will not get rid of your pimples ‘completely’ but it will definitely lessen breakouts based on my personal experience.

Good luck!

Back to Blogging

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

After almost two years of hiatus, here I am trying to find my way back to blogging; my way back to writing.

Perhaps at some point I have given up on this blog. I have given up on writing among many other hobbies that I enjoyed doing when I had the liberty of time.  My days have narrowed down to routine childcare, chores and endless scrolling on social media. Most days would end with a burnt-out feeling and hoping to just get-by the next day.

It wasn’t until one lesson with my student that I realized what makes people happy is not a “one-time big-time” thing. Instead, it is relentlessly pursuing the little things that make you feel happy, healthy, or productive.  Taking a moment each day to read an inspiring quote; 16 deep breaths; one project a week; one blog a month.

These little things that make us happy are equally as important as the responsibilities that we need to do everyday.

So here I am, taking baby steps to win back my happiness. One project at a time; one blog at a time.

LIFE IS: Sisters Wearing Matching Clothes

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

My girls wearing matching clothes. I remember wearing matching clothes with my sister when we were kids. Sometimes it they were exactly the same, other times with different colors. Mine were red and her clothes were yellow. :)

Did you ever wear matching clothes with your sibling/s?

Summer 2014: Gabie’s 1st Swim

Hello Gorgeous Reader!

 

Summer is officially over. Well, we didn’t get the chance to travel anywhere. But that doesn’t mean missing out on the summer dip.

Starting a family has it’s limitations; financial limitations. Not to mention all the hassle of bringing twice the number of bags when you have a baby.

So, we’ve found a hassle-free and affordable summer getaway of our own.

We went to Hotel Seda at Centrio Mall; located right within the city of CDO.

 

Compared to the Php 10,000 or more budget for a summer vacation; it only cost us less than Php 1,000. No packing hassle; the only thing we needed to bring were our swimsuits. We didn’t even have to worry that Gabie didn’t have one because we were able to purchase one conveniently from the mall. You can even opt to have an affordable snack there before going to the hotel and taking a dip in the pool. To top it off, out of the Php 350 (per person) pool fee, Php 200 is consumable which solved our dinner!

 

 

There we were on our first family summer. ^_^ Oh, it just makes me teary-eyed seeing Gabie enjoy her first pool dip. It was literally months ago when she was just a tiny critter that could barely move her head. Babies really do grow up before your eyes.

“A Happy Family is but an Earlier Heaven” – George Bernard Shaw