Now Playing: Canciónes de Violetta

I couldn't remember exactly how I got hooked to Violetta.

One moment, I was calling its plot another Disney Channel cliché, when my Argentine friend Selene (who doesn't like the series) explained a bit of the story to me (it wasn't in Asia at the time yet), then suddenly, tables turned, and I now find myself rushing to go home, have dinner, and take a bath every weeknight to catch the 10 p.m. screening of the show.

There's just something about this Disney Channel telenovela that got me. Aside from the fact that it's one hell of a show with REALLY hot guys, I think its fun and catchy Spanish songs (that are just so Disney) also made me like it. 

Listening to them is also a great way for me to refresh my Spanish vocabulary over the break. It's actually amazing how I could actually understand some of the songs without hearing their English dubbed versions. I can't believe my Spanish lessons are paying off in the most unconventional of ways! Hahahaha!

And, because I've been listening to the three albums of Violetta a lot lately, I'll be sharing with you 10 of my favourite songs from the show:

Ser Mejor

I have this on repeat everyday! It's pretty uplifting and motivational. I love listening to it!

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Ahí Estaré

This is one of the best and most catchy-tuned love songs in Violetta, I daresay. It's actually the first one I liked. I even fancy the English version. Cute!

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Te Esperaré

Yes, Tomas, just pour out all those feels in the song...

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Te Creo

It sucks that the English version of this song is "I Love You", when the Spanish title clearly IS NOT "Te Quiero". Oh, well, I guess, sometimes, some stuff just get lost in translation...

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Euforia (English version)

They're singing in English, but it's not dubbed! Gosh, León! You sound so American!

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Tienes Todo

Para todo, para nada! <3

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Verte de Lejos

OK, Vilu, I feel you. I can't make up my mind either!

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Entre Tu y Yo

What a cheeseball of a song! But I'd be lying if I say that I didn't play this song with my guitar, cos I DID! :D

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Entre dos Mundos

If you're gonna whistle in a song, you better do it right.

Well, León did!

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Dile Que Si

The awkward dancing of Tomas in the video is a bonus :D

♥Andz

Homemade Mango-Avocado Ice Cream

It was my dad's idea to add some fresh mango purée to the avocado ice cream I was making, and it was brilliant! My avocado ice cream already tasted great the way I always prepare it, but when I put in the mango, gosh, it was just so much better! It's also super easy to make! Just follow this recipe I posted before: Quick Dessert: Homemade Avocado Ice Cream - Step-by-Step, then add some mango puree into your mixture before you freeze it overnight.

♥Andz

Internship Articles, Photos, and Whatnot!

Having been too busy during my internship period, I wasn't able to post anything about the events I attended, photos I took, and articles I wrote in here, so, below are some of my published pictures and write-ups that I've been itching to share with y'all! :)

"Livin' la Vida Local: 12 Proudly Pinoy Items for the Proud Pinoy"

http://www.juice.ph/shopping/features/livin-la-vida-local-12-proudly-pinoy-items-for-the-proud-pinoy

*An excerpt of this article was published on Juice.ph's magazine :)

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"Side-A Kicks Off the Robinsons Soundbites Music Festival"

http://www.juice.ph/kultura/features/side-a-kicks-off-the-robinsons-soundbites-music-festival

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'AnneKapal to the Highest Level!: 8 Thoughts We All Had at Anne Curtis' "The Forbidden Concert"'

http://www.juice.ph/kultura/features/annekapal-to-the-highest-level-8-thoughts-we-all-had-at-anne-curtis-the-forbidden-concert

*Being the deaf girl that I am, I thought this event would be the end of me (LOL!), but it wasn't, and I actually had fun at the concert! I had more fun taking photos, though, because Anne's such a pretty subject! Here are some of my fave shots:

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"Quickfire Questions with the Queen of Cosplay, Alodia Gosiengfiao"

http://www.juice.ph/nightout/features/quickfire-questions-with-the-queen-of-cosplay-alodia-gosiengfiao

*I'm no gamer. I'm no cosplayer. But, somehow, I managed to pull off an interview with this world-famous pretty-face.

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"In the Virtual Battlefield: Mercenary Online Championship 2014"

http://www.juice.ph/nightout/features/in-the-virtual-battlefield-mercenary-online-championship-2014

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***My TFIOS review was published on Manila Bulletin's entertainment section (June 15, 2014 - Sunday) under the column of my mentor, Sir Nestor Cuartero.

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The following are two of my many press release edits for Tempo...

(I still haven't taken photos of my other published edits)

♥Andz

Post-Internship Thoughts

One summer, two internships.

I wouldn't lie. None of them were what I'd call my "dream" jobs. 

Before OJT (on-the-job training) season kicked in, I pictured myself working at a well-known magazine company, like what I've always wanted. I imagined helping the editorial staff, attending events, and even getting scolded for stupid mistakes - I had all of those in my head. 

Only, those were not what I got, but I'm still thankful, because I can now say that for once in my life, I got to work at an online magazine company and a tabloid. 

A few months back, I was already panicking, because I knew I was really running late. Most of my classmates were already working at media companies - really good and famous media companies. Time was ticking, and I thought I wouldn't be able to finish a 200-hour internship within the summer break, but with some twists and turns here and there, I somehow managed, and now, here I am all done and writing this post.

If you've been following this blog, you probably know by now that I had my internship at Juice.ph and Manila Bulletin's English-language tabloid Tempo. To sum up my internship experiences, I'd like to share some lessons I learned that proved to be more than just clichés to a journ intern like me:

-Being an intern is no easy walk in the park. Your job sure is more chill than the workload of a regular employee's, but still, there's a part of you that wants to make a good impression to your boss and co-workers, so you put your best foot forward every single time.

-Be polite. You're working at a place where everyone is pretty much older than you, so it's just right to give due respect to your seniors. If you disagree with someone else's opinion, be honest, but say it in a courteous way.

-Delivering beyond expectations important, but remember that not everything turns out well, so you just have to learn from your mistakes, and try your best not to commit them again.

-Don't be afraid to ask questions! It's part of the whole learning process. If the instructions given to you were not clear, ask. But don't bug your boss. 

-Go the extra mile! If you think you'll be able to take better photos at a certain spot, go to THAT certain spot if it's safe and possible, and snap away. If you think getting interviews will support your article better, approach the organisers of the event or the personality himself and ask your interview questions. But, be sure to ask intelligent questions - you know what I mean. 

-CONNECTIONS are very important. Undergoing an internship is the best time to build your network and get in touch (again) with the people you encountered before, especially if you need some info from them. You might think this is a bad advice that would make you look "user-friendly", but trust me, once you become an intern, you'll find yourself maximizing all your resources to deliver well. I even have classmates sending group messages asking if we know someone who uses nose clippers or if we know an expert dietitian.

-Be aware of every single detail - from the photo resolution requirements, to your company's style book. Take note of every single one of them

-Every second counts. If you can do it now, then don't delay. Chances are, you'll get more and more assignments, so don't let your work pile over your head. 

-A great break is not always about having a great lunch. It's also about having a good laugh with new and old friends.

-Nothing's more fulfiling than seeing your work published, knowing that people all over the country will probably read, or, at least, come across what you've written.

-Don't be stupid. Seriously, just don't. 

-And, of course, have fun!

*Illustration: "Internship" by JustBeckett on Etsy

♥Andz

The Fault in Our Stars: Just... Okay

So, I saw The Fault in Our Stars today...

...and as much as I hate to admit it, the film did not impress me that much. 

*feels the hate* 

The months that led to its release date had been a truly grueling wait for me as well as for other fans of the book out there - and just so you know, patience is not my strongest suit. But I knew that, somehow, my effort would be given justice soon enough. However, when I finally saw the movie, I was pretty disappointed, and I don't even know why! 

Right now, I just feel bad that I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I even felt the need to force tears out of my eyes, just to say that I cried. Pathetic, I know, but watching the movie, it felt like I just kept on waiting for a turning point that will make me ultimately change my mind about what I was seeing, but it never came.

The thing is, I wanted to love it - believe me, I really do - but I just couldn't get myself to, and that saddens me. Perhaps, my expectations were just too high. 

Anyhow, although I didn't find the movie great, I'm not saying that it was bad. 

The essence of the book is there. The soundtrack is amazing (this I couldn't deny!). Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort are in the running as the Couple of the Decade after portraying Hazel and Augustus flawlessly. Laura Dern IS Hazel's mum. Willem Dafoe...you can't hate him enough, especially as Peter Van Houten. And, Nat Wolff, well, they couldn't have chosen a better Isaac.

See? I'm saying all these positive comments, which just makes me all the more confused as to why I didn't like the film. 

Maybe, I should see it again, THEN, I could write a better review (this post isn't even a review! I just want to let out all of my feels). But for now, I will say that overall, it was  just okay. 

♥Andz