New Shoes!

Yay! I have a new pair of shoes. Hehe. It's been a looooooong time since I last bought one - as in OFFICIALLY and EXPENSIVELY bought one. teehee~ Well, it's about time since my black pumps are already dying. huhu. I loved that shoe so before it totally disintegrates, I'm giving it a temporary rest. I’m actually trying to look for the exact same design. I hope I can still get one like it. Haiz.

I LOVE shoes! It’s one of my hobbies actually. Lol. I find, buy and collect as much as possible and as much as I can afford. Hahaha. You see, I’m a frugal person, but when it comes to shoes I can go way over budget (as long as it’s worth it and after I’ve thought about it for a very loooong time. Lol). I don’t normally spend too much on clothes. I have a certain price range and I’d have to contemplate very hard before I decide to break it. But I normally don’t. (OC-ness.Lol).


I’m already tall at 5'6"(and probably look taller because I mind my posture well when I'm standing or walking) but I still like going for high-heels. When I had been a house-buddy, I opted to collect flats but since I’m back to the work force, I’m also back to high heels. Hehe. Although, it’s a bit sad I can’t get to wear my other shoes to work because corporate require black only. I have boots and more colorful shoes that go with attires in my closet. When I’m in malls, I normally hang around the shoe department – looking for new styles and possible targets for upcoming payday expense. Lol.

Here are photos of my new shoes. I bought it from Janylin in Glorietta. I measured the heels, it's 4 inches - almost. HA-HA.

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mood: excited for clyte's b-day celeb later. hihi.

Project Runway: Clean-up Day at Golden Mile (part 1)

 If there was one lesson learned from the great flood, it’s that we are all in the same boat.

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Yesterday, we had a “mini” reunion – it was Clean-up Day at Golden Mile – Ondoy’s aftermath party. LOL. It was among those that had been flooded during the typhoon last September 26 and two of my friends live there. I used to live there but thanks to divine intervention, I don’t anymore. LOL. It was the house of my *insert cuss here.LOL * ex-boyfriend who is at the moment in the other end of the world lecturing people on how to be responsible. *pukes.LOL.

When I learned that the house had been flooded, I said, “Shit, all my other stuff are there. And most probably they had been affected.” Gawd. I do not know what to expect. But as they have said, expect the unexpected.LOL.

The subdivision looked like its celebrating a fiesta – a laundry fiesta. There were lots of makeshift clothes lines and clothes were all hung to dry. I can’t imagine that this place had been submerged under muddy water up to neckline. That is why people are making up doing laundry - A LOT of laundry because most probably ALL had been wet during the typhoon. Even though it had been a week already, you can see that people have not caught up cleaning and disposing of junk and they have not fully gotten over what has had happened.

But despite the tragedy, we were thankful that we were all okay, safe and alive. We all agreed to help Tina and Vance clean up so that they may, finally be able to move out. It was just a shame that Ondoy caught up with them, making it much more harder.

We all arrived in working clothes ready to be wet and muddy – Jyas, Mark, Tina & Vance plus Vance’s mom and dad. Tina’s brother and Raffy was also there to help. Project Runway. Sexy models cleaning challenge. LOL. A little after we came, Atty. Morales’ relatives also came to help clean-up.

The mud has dried up and that made it a little more difficult to remove. The walls have traces of mud, the house smelled rotten and everything was just plain destroyed by the flooding. The appliances and furniture were ruined. Clothes were all soaked up so Tina had to wash them all.

I had lots of stuff there. I mean, most of my stuff are still in that house, kept in the library until when I am able to get them which I was planning this coming October. But after this, it made me realize a lot of things – that they are all just material things I do not necessarily need. Actually, if it hadn’t been for Tina and Vance, if they hadn’t been living there at the moment, I would have abandoned everything already when the house had been flooded and would never return to that place anymore. I wouldn’t see the point and it will be just a waste of my time anyway. But I guess, God has certain ways on showing you what you should realize and I contemplate that this is one of those moments.

There were a lot of waste and it was regretfully sad to throw away things you have bought and worked for. I actually lost all my books (huhu), my thesis (gosh), my pictures (wah! Baby pics that have no more copies *sob, my grad pic – I’ve paid for this so expensively.grrr ). Actually during the typhoon, when Vance called me up telling me that the water is continuously rising and that he couldn’t save all my things, I said, it’s okay because I was confident enough that I’ve OC-ingly arranged it well. But alas, I had been wrong because apparently nature was more adept than me (hayz). I rummaged through boxes of my things trying to look for specific items I want to take home with me. I’ve given up on my clothes I’ve kept in plastic containers because water still seeped in and it smelled like canal because the water had been there for almost a week already. Although, it can still be recovered through rigorous washing, I opted to give them away rather than exert more effort for it. Besides, those are the clothes I rarely wear anymore so it doesn’t really hold anything for me especially now that I don’t have time to wear casual clothes because I’m in uniform six times a week. LOL. Basically, I’ve given everything up to Tina – I gave it ALL to her – and told her that she can think of it as a “wedding gift”. LOL. Although, I took smaller stuff that I still want and could take home to my new boarding house.

I was just thankful enough that I was able to get my MOST important stuffs even before this happened - my documents (birth certificates, diplomas, etc.), clothes that I like, my bedsheet collection (which I can still put up if ever I decide to hold a garage sale.LOL), my favorite shoes (my boots!~whew.) I am sad though, I’ve lost my book collection (oh well, I can still buy and I might find them in book sales and thrift shop so no worries).

I have realized that my things are the only ones keeping me attached to that place and now I have completely let go. LOL. I am already okay with how I am living right now, enjoying it and if ever I want to start over, I can always do it if I want to. I can always buy new stuff if ever I plan to get a new place for myself. It came to me that sometimes, in order to move forward, we should just learn to let go because sometimes the weight is keeping us from reaching higher grounds. And I have proven this already.

I am also happy to see my friends again (Jyas, Mark I missed you! Liezl – MIA! Akira and Shiro still alive!) and this is another event that probably has made our friendships a bit tighter and closer. Although, I know this is just a minute part of things that we are still to face and endure, it feels like the good old times (less one.LOL).

This is just part one. The Project Runway Clean-up Party will be continued next Sunday. It’s a shame we did not have any cameras to take pictures yesterday. LOL. Maybe next week. We’ll see.

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mood: back aches from all that washing and scrubbing and laundry.

I need a break! I’m starving!

Gawd. My eyes are spinning already and I can feel my brains turning into liquid. Wah! I need a break! I’m starving!

I was having a hard time thinking of what I wanted to eat. I'm not that picky and I would almost eat anything. I'm craving for something but I don't really know what. LOL. Anyway, I just decided to grab something from my drawer's stock of relief goods (haha. because sometimes I get lazy going out) and tried Payless Pancit Canton instead of the normal Lucky Me Pancit Canton that I buy. I saw it in the supermarket andthought of trying how it tastes. And truthfully, I find it better than LM (or maybe I am just sooo used to LM’s taste that’s why PL seemed different. Hmmm…) There’s nothing better than office-cooked meal. Itadekimasu!

payless pancit canton

my kitty bentobox.lol.

my korean chopsticks set

itadekimasu!

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mood: *busogs. lol.

UP Diliman Fun Shoot 08.30.09

In relation to my previous post (actually this is the pre-quel of it), we had a fun shoot in UP Diliman last August 30 with my cosplay friend Kat Escolar and her photog friend Marlene Hsu. It was Kat's idea because as she had blogged about it, her boyfriend was requesting for photos of her. And since Mars was here to visit, she scheduled a photoshoot and just invited me.

I'm no model (I'm not that pretty to be one. nyahaha). I just like pictures and dressing up , i guess. I'm a photo enthusiast also and as most people describe me, uber kikay and partly narcissistic. LOL. And since I'm into cosplay right now, maybe I just wanted to have fun and grab the oppurtunity to have good pictures while there's an oppurtunity for it.

It was a fun shoot. At first we were thinking of a theme and I thought I wanted to use those items I have bought from a thrift shop. Yup, ukay-ukay in short. And lately, I am in the knack of acquiring animal-printed pieces. LOL. (I love cats so it also applies to big ones such as lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards. Hehe.) I have a fur coat and a silk skirt, which I turned into a dress instead (Ingenuity.hehe). I'm creative and people have complimented my ability to pick out interesting and quite good stuff from the thrift shop which doesn't really look it came from there. I guess, it also helps that I have a weird sense about fashion and that most people wouldn't really have the guts to wear those kind of stuff (which is actually much better for me because then I wouldn't have too much competition around). I often ask people how much they think stuff that I wear cost and they're quite amaze when I tell them and where I got them. I normally roam around the Metro and go in ukayans I pass by just to see if there's anything that would entice me to buy. What I often look for in thrift shops are:

(1) jackets - I LOVE jackets! All my jackets and coats come from UK;

(2) skirts - I LOVE skirts! It's my staple wear. I don't wear jeans too much - only in special occassions.haha. (Shouldn't it be the other way around? LOL). I don't know. I'm just more comfortable in skirts - not that I also have the legs to boot - woot! That is why I really liked our uniform because it's skirt. I'd rather wear skirts than slacks for office; and

(3) boots - I LOVE boots! (did you just notice that I had the same reactions for all 3 items?LOL.) - I've always loved shoes and I don't really care if the Philippines is a tropical country. When there's an oppurtunity to wear boots I wear them. I normally use them during gimiks and other parties and often, people have complimented me for wearing one. Although, boots are now growing in popularity and more and more people are wearing them nowadays. hehe.

Anyways, I've deviated from the subject of this blog (nyahahaha) and most probably I would just have to write another entry about my fashion preferences. Haha. In the end, we just decided to bring anything and everything we can. LOL.

And voila! Here are some of the photos that Mars has already given us.

More photos can be found HERE or HERE.

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mood: I hate it when your thigh-high stockings just keeps on going down, down, down, down, down. argh!

CCF 25th Anniversary

This is already an uuuuuubbbbbeeeeerrrrr late post. But I still wanted to blog about it because it's one of my memorable experiences for 2009.

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Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Araneta Coliseum


It was CCF’s 25th Anniversary and I have decided to attend. And it had been a great experience all in all.



CCF.

Anniversary.

25th.

Araneta Coliseum.

17,000 capacity.

2 services.

Kuh Ledesma.

Gary V.

Music.

Worship.

Testimonials.

Scripture.

Glory.

Honor.

God.


I was happy to have attended. Though it would have been better if those that I had invited were able to come with me so I could have shared the experience with them.

I had been almost discouraged to go after seeing the long line of people waiting to go inside the coliseum. It was free but a ticket is to be given so you can go inside. But something told me to stay. So I went to find the end of the line, which looked as if it would take you forever to get inside. It was hot and I was carrying loads of stuff because I came from a photoshoot earlier in UP Diliman (Again, I will tell the story in another blog). I wanted water. I wanted aircon. But I stood firm and waited. And after a couple of minutes, I was inside. That had been fast.

Araneta Coliseum. Audience capacity of 17,000. And out of that thousand, I am one of them. It was overwhelming to be part of such a huge celebration.

It was like a free concert. Kuh Ledesma was there. She sang “Above All” and was a very touching rendition. Later on Gary V. was there for his “Take me out of the Dark” – very inspiring. Then there were two testimonials. I’ve heard Ivan Tan’s testimonial before in St. Francis and it’s one of those stories that make you shake your head from left to right out of rue yet make your hair stand to its end out of piety. Truly, he had a life-changing experience and he serve as a living inspiration to all. And it was a well-deserved testimonial to be featured for the church anniversary.

I am no devout and I admit that. I had my backslides, my indifference and shortcomings when it comes to my faith but I do not forget. I may not have surrendered everything yet to Him but I am getting there, slowly, a step at a time and through His guidance. He has never forsaken me and I have always known that. I do not want to be called a hypocrite or a Pharisee. I am a sinner yet He has blessed me and saved me.

I have much to thank Him for. And He knows what is inside my heart. My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from Him as my successes and my talents and I lay them both at his feet. May He use me and guide me for his purpose. I have a long journey ahead of me and I shall rely on his light to see my path. May all the glory be His – my God and my savior.

Happy Anniversary CCF!

♫ PS. I am posting one song which I really like. I really love the lyrics. It goes well to the change that has happened to my life this year. Everything has been really different. Enjoy.



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mood: excited. for tomorrow's CCF service.

Picture Perfect Feature 07.21.09

I was narcissistically testing Google Images for search results that would come out when I key in my name "izabel cortez" and I chanced upon Mr. Raffy Paredes' photo among the results. Sir Raffy is a column writer for Manila Bulletin's Picture Perfect and so I remembered that I was once featured in his column last July 21, 2009.

The photo that they published was one of the photos I took when I was in Boracay last year.

You may read the full article HERE and you may check the other photos at my Multiply and in Flickr.

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 mood: Rain, rain go away! Don't let Pepeng come this way! wah!

UH Cosplay Stint (09.22.09)

Along with fellow cosplayers, we went to an invitation to cosplay for Unang Hirit in GMA 7 last September 22. I went in as Nami of One Piece. I was with my Luffy, Jameer Olimpo and other Cosplay High members.

with Arn-Arn

Even if our Sanji, Art Ryan, was not around, we still had his presence because Jameer and I made a small One Piece paraphernalia table by the reception area. LOL.

You may view the video in my Multiply as I have posted it in a much more previous blog. It’s just guesting. We were just there to cosplay. LOL.

You may also check out my photostream in Flickr to see our pictures as we cosplayed One Piece. Enjoy!


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mood: iz zo hard to contact these supplierzzzzz... geez. their phones are all busted due to ondoy last weekend. -_-"

34th Branch Anniversary

Last  September 22, we celebrated SM Makati’s 34th anniversary. And I am very much happy to be part of it.

I designed the stage backdrop. I was also the designer for the branch anniversary shirt. I was the creative photographer. And I was the fashion adviser for one candidate who apparently won the contest. LOL. People here are now recognizing me as me – the weird girl who is into graphics, photography , cosplay, ukay-ukay and all the kakikayanan there is to be.

It had been a long day actually because my Tuesday started at 4am when we had to go to GMA 7’s Unang Hirit for a cosplay stint. Lol. I was with my friends and we had fun. (I’ll discuss this in another blog.) Anyway, after UH, I was dropped off in Ayala and I literally had to run even if I knew there is no point because I was 20 minutes late already. T_T. Uh-oh, there goes my record. Oh well. Just once. LOL.

The day had an exuberant feeling and everybody was excited for the upcoming program. For this year, they decided to make the theme “Hot Momma’s” wherein they featured employees who were 50 & above to be candidates for the beauty pageant. Yup. 50 & above. (Don’t be surprised because stability-wise, SM would really make you stay).

Incorporated in the program was the awarding of employees for their dedication & loyalty. Counting from 5 years up to 25 years. Whoa! That long? Yup. That long. You will be amazed when you get a chance to see these people because you will see in their eyes that they really love their job. And somehow, it would make you admire them more.

There was also a short endearing moment during the awarding when those who have availed of the ERP (Early Retirement Program) were called and given recognition. It’s a sad moment. The awardees were a bit teary-eyed because they will be leaving the company they have given their life to. You can still see the passion in their eyes, how they loved their job, how they cared for the people they have worked with and that alone is enough to touch a heart. You will also see how their co-workers loved them and would truly miss them after. They have contributed well to the success of the branch and of the company and it was truly appropriate that they be given proper recognition for their hard work & perseverance.

Anyway, after the awarding, the main event – that everybody was waiting for – was up. Hot Momma’s in the house! LOL. It was a fun event because the candidates were game. They had a sports wear category, talent portion, evening gown competition and of course a question & answer portion. I just watched until the talent portion as I had to come down every now & then because after all, there was still work to do. LOL. The candidate I lent my clothes to won! Yay! She had been ever thankful to me and called me and my so-called kikay stuff lucky. Haha. She won 10,000 pesos just by strutting. Hehe.

There was food (OVERFLOWING), a lot of photo ops and just pure fun even if at the same time everybody was on duty. That’s one way to celebrate the hardwork that everybody has pitched in for the branch. (Okay, I pigged out and now I’m on crash diet T_T.lol.) I am very happy and thankful to be part of it. I found a second home and a family. Who would have thought I would end up here?

Here are a few more photos during the event. The rest will be uploaded in my Facebook, Multiply & probably Flickr so do check it out.

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mood: yay! i designed that shirt y'all! weee!