MATH in BAGUIO

There will always be that summer in your life where you practically did nothing. As for me, it was probably this summer that could get the ‘Most Uneventful’ award, but then, it doesn’t mean I actually did nothing during that period of time.

Last April 10, I went to Baguio alone (with the exception of a Grade 7 student) to attend the Young Mathematicians’ In-House Intensive Training Program. 

It’s basically the second phase out of three in a training program for international Olympiads. We train for 6 to 8 hours per day for 3 days, and mind you, I could say I have ample knowledge when it comes to Algebra yet I still found the whole thing absolutely difficult. I even had a migraine during one of our exams! But then, the experience wasn’t at all bad. I mean, I’m just a thirteen-year-old girl, and it’s not every day that I’m so far away from home. I also met a few girls from schools all around Luzon! They’re all great and fun to be with, especially during our past-curfew café trips.

Shoutout to Pauline, Kylee, Janina and Elizabeth (L-R)!

Anyway, after the culmination of that mind-wrecking training, my family and I stayed for a couple more days to enjoy the city. I mean, it’s summer after all, and I was in no shape to party with the scorching sun. The weather there was perfect, and for a moment I wanted to stay there forever. And the fact that we were staying in this adorably perfect villa wasn’t helping at all.

I swear, these villas are house goals

I look a bit too comfortable...

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Strawberry picking, Her favorite in Baguio

Basically, it was the only highlight of my summer, but it surely was uniquely memorable in its own way. I mean, who could forget the summer where you practically forced every single neuron in your brain to work in a beautiful city?Haha!!




XOXO,

Shayne

REUNITED

Last week, my family went out to have lunch in Yakimix, a Japanese Buffet Restaurant, with my cousins and my aunt who’s been in U.S. for so long I couldn’t even remember. She went home to the Philippines just to open a branch of their offices (goals, I tell you), and it’s honestly awesome. I mean, apparently, she’s this project manager in some company in the US, and it’s not only that. They’re basically in charge of this water filtering project in New York and Washington D.C. And to remind you again, she went to the Philippines to do a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Anyways, she basically told us what she’s accomplished during her stay in the States, and it was inspiring. Not to sound pompous, but it was just so great. She’s not even that old, yet she’s already accomplished so much! Trust me, engineering has never sounded so appealing.

To make the story short, I basically told you this just because her story inspired me so much to strive harder. I mean, college is just a few school years away. It’s both scary and exciting, but whatever. Ha!

With my oh-so-amazing aunt and my pretty cousins!

XOXO,
Shayne

And We Danced All Night

This is a story I’ve always wanted to tell you guys, and I honestly don’t know why I actually haven’t told you after two months! Oh wait, I actually do. I was busy dealing with the oh-so-famous PCD--Post Concert Depression.

So why was I having a Post Concert Depression you might ask?

My ticket...EEP!

Last March 22, 2015, It  happened to be one of the craziest concerts our country has ever experienced. Whose concert was it? One Direction, of course! It was honestly a very memorable experience, and I have a whole lot of reasons for that. I mean,

 1) I’ve been dreaming of seeing the boys live for almost 3 years;

 2) It was the first concert I’ve been to ever; 

 3) NIALL HORAN LOOKED SO PERFECT ONSTAGE; 

 4) It was raining for crying out loud!; 

 5) I had loads of fun with my co-Directioners, and 

 6) NIALL JAMES HORAN LOOKED SO PERFECT ONSTAGE.

Wait. I think I’ve said that already.

Anyways, it’s been two months since the day the 4 boys of One Direction stepped foot into our beloved country, and I can surely say that I’m still in a concert hangover. The whole experience was perfect (except for the fact that Zayn wasn’t there; my heart still hurts so we won’t dwell on that)! It was seriously great, jumping around and singing along to their songs under the patter of the rain. I was crying and singing and squealing like every fangirl would. I even screamed “I love you, Niall!” so loud a couple of times when the crowd quietens *smirks*!

Let’s go back to the part where it was, in fact, raining. I remember shivering so much before the boys appeared, but when they did, the exhaustion, cold and hunger just vanished. I mean, Louis was wearing a tank top, Liam kept speaking in that sexy British accent of his, Niall was jumping around with that guitar I’m so jealous of and Harry was whipping his hair over and over again! That’s enough to keep you warm for the rest of your life!

Oh—and let’s not forget the moment Harry and Liam argued about broccolis and nuggets. They even mentioned that certain moment during their interview in The Late Late Show with James Corden! I swear, that moment was gold.

I feel like I’m blabbing too much, but hey, this is the very first time I actually wrote about my experience so deal with it. I’m not sure when will I ever get over the fact that I heard and saw Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall perform live. I don’t think I would ever do so! But hey, their fifth album will be out 6 months from now—who’s to say that they won’t go back to the Philippines for another tour?

Crazy set design!

(Niam ftw <3)

Eighth Candle

Last January 2, my little sister, Yanni, celebrated her 8th birthday! Yes, you heard it! My little sissy's growing up! But whatever happens, being in style is something she won't outgrow.

While I sported a cobalt blue look, my sister here went for a maroon and black outfit. Dressed in a maroon 3/4 top and a black tutu skirt, she made these dark hues actually look cute, don't you agree?

Anyways, let's focus on what happened that day, shall we?

Basically, we spent the Christmas break relieving stress and all. The last 2 months of 2014 were rough, so why jump from place to place when you could just sleep all day? Whatever, point is, we were all exhausted, which is why mom decided to just spend my sister's birthday outside the house rather than throwing out a party at home. We were against the idea, but in the end, it was so worth it.

We ate at Vikings (Jazz Mall branch) and though I hate buffet sometimes (because even though I want to eat everything, I just couldn't), I enjoyed it. So much. In a span of two hours, my tummy went to Italy, Korea and Japan.

Then desserts. Oh, desserts. Don't even get me started on this. I practically ate almost everything on the dessert station. (The panna cotas were just delicious ^_^).

The mere memory of it makes me hungry again. Alas, a happy tummy makes a happy man.

Before we ended the day, we stopped by Fully Booked, Rockwell  to buy a book, of course. I got a copy of Lang Leav's Love and Misadventure (cue the squeals), while my sister got a copy of a Thea Stilton book (for her little collection, of course).


A happy tummy makes a happy man, but a happy man is incomplete without words, of course.


P.S. Visit Vikings Jazz Mall's Facebook page here!
xoxo,
Shayne <3