TOMS: One for One Movement

Classics Black Canvas, Classics Red Canvas, and Classics Navy Canvas

     There are so many reasons why I bought, not just one, but three TOMS today! TOMS is created for the One for One Movement, and it is if you buy one pair, a free pair will also be given to a person in need. If you buy two pairs, two free pairs will also be given and so on and so forth. I encourage everyone to buy at least one because it is for a good cause! For more history about TOMS, here are links:

http://www.toms.com/our-movement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOMS_Shoes

By:   Jane  Pauline

Pastries

I've always wanted to try these kind of pastries!
I just bought them today!
They're $4.50 each at:
French Cakes
12337 S. Route 59
Plainfield, IL 60585

Banana Split Muffin with Chocolate Fudge and a Cherry on top!

Dark and White Chocolate with Nuts!

Mango!

Tiramisu!

By: Jane Pauline

Got Sushi?

Asparagus Tempura Maki

   If you're strolling along Michigan Avenue and you happen to get hungry for sushi, Hot Woks Cool Sushi is the place! It is set along the strip of Millennium Park in Downtown Chicago right across the street from "The Bean."
   My girlfriends and I attended the Taste of Chicago this year. We randomly picked this sushi place for dinner just for the heck of it because it was right along where the Taste was anyway. Not only that they have the best sushi I've ever had so far, but they also have the best Raspberry Iced Tea. I can't quite pinpoint on how to even describe it, but my taste buds did the work.

By: Jane Pauline

A Sign of Life

Spring.

A sign of life.

A sign of hope.

A reminder that everything will be alive again.

Grass will be green again.

Yellow buds, white buds, pink buds, and violet buds will bloom again.

Birds will chirp again.

By: Jane Pauline

Step By Step

Photographed by Jane Pauline
Canon EOS 7D

Ever feel like you've been buried deep?

Buried so deep, you could not even breathe.

No one can hear you. 

No one can understand you.

No one knows the feeling of being alone.

The feeling of being imprisoned.

The feeling of being punished.

And no one seems to know the reason why.

Why bother wasting time?

Just take it one step at a time.

First step may be difficult.

Second step may be hopeful.

Last step may be successful.

Just take it one step at a time.

Step by step.

No one is withholding you.

By: Jane Pauline

It's The Beauty Within

Beauty is not bestowed from the surface.

Beauty is awarded from the inside.

By: Jane Pauline

Day Two At Springbrook Prairie

This time, it was unintentionally planned. I was forced to go because the fiance claimed to be addicted to jogging in the Prairie. He bribed me by saying I can take pictures while he jogs 5.5 miles. I can't say no to photography. This time, we went early. I had on a t-shirt, a sweater, jeans, and an UGG. It was a 70-degree sunny weather. I was a bit cold. I walked on a different route and took pictures while the sun was still up, but I didn't get good ones under the sun. I walked 2.25 miles which took me about 40 minutes. I was warm and asked myself why did I have an UGG on. Ridiculous! Oh well! The sun was about to set so I went back. I didn't want to miss perfect shots. Finally, a good shot:

My feet were killing me! I was sweating, but I took more shots anyway:

I was almost at the parking lot. My feet were still killing me and I was still sweating. I didn't care. I wanted to take at least one more shot:

I calculated and realized I walked 4.5 miles in my UGG, jeans, t-shirt, and sweater. Yesterday was a workout! My right bottom foot had a little blister and my right leg is sore. Ouch!

Once Upon A Time in Springbrook Prairie...

Winter was a bore. Now that Spring time is here, I had one of those photographer's itch, per se. I've been meaning to drive to Springbrook Prairie in Naperville for over a month now, but the weather kept me inside. Two days ago, the temperature went up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It was very windy, but the sun was up and the clouds were floating by. I thought of how perfect this day would be to finally take my camera out for the first time of this year. I waited until the sunset came. The prairie was the perfect location because you can totally see the sun setting to the west. My fiance and I drove to the location. He jogged on a separate trail while I took photos of the sunset. Here's the first picture:

It wasn't that perfect, but at least I finally had an idea of how it looked like. The sunset didn't really leave a reflection on the stream of water as I was aiming to do, but I think it was still okay. As I walked by myself towards the left of the trail, I took more pictures:

I turned right onto the trail and ended up on top of a hill. Up there was a couple walking forward about eight feet away. I took a picture and ended up with this:

As I was striding along downhill enjoying the weather and the view, I made a left around the hill. On my right, I passed by a model-aircraft area where people can fly their model airplanes. Another picture was taken:

I moved around that area to take a good picture never thinking to turn around and look. I then walked away along the trail and as I turned, I saw what looked like a skinny branch in the middle of the trail. The skinny branch moved! OH EM GEE!!! It's a baby snake! It slithered across the trail towards its destination. I panicked and power-walked my way out. An idea woke my mind. If there's a baby snake, there's bound to be a mother snake around somewhere. I needed to leave! I walked towards the parked car. My heart was still thumping. I waited for my fiance in the car. Well! That was a great awakening! I wanna go back again.

Our Love Story: My 20th Birthday

Part Three


    It was June. It's been a month since I met Michael. He's been on my mind since that first day I met him. Somehow, I could not get rid of him in my thoughts. I tried. We did pass by each other every now and then at work. We say hi and how are you, and maybe moments of conversation here and there. It wasn't that big-of-a-deal type of thing. It was just normal moments you have in your daily work life.
     A co-worker of mine, who is four years younger than me, noticed that Michael might have a crush on me. She tells me his gestures when I'm around him. Hmmm... Really? He seemed shy to me, but we'll see.
     My 20th birthday was around the corner and my Lola has been giving me hints to invite him to my party. At first, I had doubts to tell him, but hey, why not? I finally had the guts to invite him a week before the party. Of course, he didn't say no. He actually had a big smile on him, which made it seemed like he knew about the party. I bet my Lola already invited him. And I was right! She did! He was just waiting for my invitation. He already knew I was going to invite him. I gave him my number just in case he gets lost on the way. It was written on a small piece of paper.
     I was pretty excited of the thought that he will actually come. I was not excited about the party, surprisingly, but I was more excited to see him. I didn't thought of it much until the day came. I was pretty nervous and I didn't know what to do. I just needed to calm down.
     Everyone was getting ready. The food was being cooked in the kitchen. All the napkins, utensils and paper plates were set. The chairs were lined up by the wall for people to sit in and visitors started to arrive. Happy birthday and thank you have been said. Gifts were settled on the side.
     Where is he?
     I was walking back and forth entertaining my visitors when he finally called.
     "Nasan ka na?" I asked. Wow, I actually said it as if I've known him for so long.
     "Nandito na ako sa harap," he replied.
     I ran up the stairs toward the front door. My Lola shouted that he's in front. I was standing by the glass door waiting for him to come. He was walking with a friend behind him. That friend looks familiar. Oh, that's right! It's Miguel! That's his and Lola's co-worker. I guess he didn't want to go alone. That's okay. I wouldn't go alone either.
     He was wearing jeans shorts and a t-shirt that says 96 North on the front. I opened the glass door and said hello. They both said their happy birthday with a bag of gift and I replied with a thank you and a hug. That hug I gave Michael was it! It was our very first hug. Oh my goodness! I love him and I've known this from the very beginning! Why did I even ignore it? I loved his hug, I loved his cologne, and I loved that grip he gave me around my waist. I loved everything about him. Everything? I think it's too soon to say "everything."
     I invited them in and showed them where the food was. They ate. They sat on the chairs that were lined up by the wall. He sat by my Lola and I sat right across them facing the other way. I was kind of shy to talk to him, but I had to. It was pretty nerve wracking, but I was grateful he was there. I smiled at him at all times and he did the same. We talked for a little while and took pictures. He did seemed shy and I understood. The party went great.
     Night came and sadly, he had to go home. We said our goodbyes and I again said thank you. I stood outside until they drove away. I miss him already, but I had to move on. Gifts were opened. He gave me a stuffed toy Eeyore and Clinique's Happy perfume. How sweet! I loved them.
     We started texting each other non-stop after my birthday. That's when I knew he liked me. Or maybe loved me? I don't know yet.

By: Jane Pauline

Our Love Story: Ignore Or Not To Ignore

PART TWO


     He was stuck in my mind the whole day. I tried to get rid of the thought of him with success. He was just an ordinary guy, I told myself. Stop thinking about him! But that feeling I had earlier was still there. The butterflies were still bugging me!
     At work, I hoped and prayed I would see him again. I needed to know what that feeling meant. No, it was more of a desire to know. Was it just a crush or was it something more? I was afraid to find out. I didn't like that thought at all.
     There he is at the end of the hallway walking towards me. He knew I was there. He had his head down while striding across the hall. Yes, he was shy! My heart started pumping and was feeling excited. My stomach turned up side down. His head slowly stood up to catch my eye. A smile was across his face. What a beautiful sight! I had to smile back. As we both passed by in the opposite direction, he shyly said, "hi, musta?" and continued to walk. The smile was still on my face. I can't regret what just happened. I took a deep and long breath as I felt the biggest fear. There goes the answer to my question.  That feeling I felt when I first met him was not a crush. Not even close! I think I'm in love with him. I was definitely sure it was 'love at first sight.' I knew it was too soon, but I couldn't help it. It is what it is!
     I was suddenly shocked and frightened when the word love flew my mind. What do I do? Should I just ignore it? I've told myself so many times: Do not fall in love. Not yet! And there were reasons behind that. I was in college trying to pursue nursing. I had a goal. And I'm pretty sure my parents won't allow it. I totally ignored it! Love can wait!

By: Jane Pauline

Our Love Story: The Meeting

PART ONE


     Lola says, "May batang lalake na Ilocano sa kitchen nagtratrabaho. Bago lang sya. Magkasing idad ata kayo." Okay, I thought. I pretty much didn't pay attention to what she said, but to make her ease off the topic, I replied, "Ah talaga?" And, she kept going anyway, so I asked what his name was. She said she heard her fellow co-workers call him "Mika" as in "My-ka."
     Mika? What kind of a guy name is that?
     Hm... 
     My Lola worked as a dietary assistant at Villa Scalabrini Nursing Home. I was an activity assistant at that time in the same facility. She worked in the morning until 3:30 pm. I worked until 3 pm during the weekend.
     It was my day off, and I was picking up Lola when she mentioned him. Him! Who could this guy be that my Lola was so interested about?
     As my Lola mentioned him more and more each day, my curiosity grew. 
     How does he look like? Is he a really nice person as my Lola seemed to say?
     
     Another day came when I had to pick up my Lola from work. She was with a young guy approaching toward the car. He was medium-sized in height. A little chubby. Dark brown skin. Black, shiny, and spiky hair that looked like it's been tousled with gel. He was wearing a dietary-assistant-uniform: red polo shirt and khaki pants. Is he the guy Lola was talking about? I'm sure he is.
     Here they come.
     How do I look? Why does Lola have to bring him now without telling me? I look awful!
     I was sitting in the driver's seat when Lola introduced him to me. We both said hi and acknowledged each other's presence. We were smiling here and there. It was supposed to be the typical introduction you get when you meet someone new, but there's something different about this one. While chatting, I felt butterflies in my stomach as we looked at each other. I  don't understand! What does this feeling mean?
     I finally caught his name. 
     His name is Michael. Michael Cruz.

By: Jane Pauline

Holiday 2010

Photographer: Jane Pauline
Canon EOS 7D

     And so, Christmas and New Year just passed. Another wonderful year flew by so quickly!

     Christmas with friends will always be filled with games, laughters, jokes, and alcohol! Oh yes! Alcohol will do so many crazy, but fun things to you when you're with friends. Hahaha...

     New Year was also celebrated with friends who never fail to have so many jokes. Good times! Fun times! But my point is, holidays are always entertaining when you've got these kind of friends around! I am so thankful and blessed to have them. Makes my life easier!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

               By: Jane Pauline