I've been wanting to write a comeback post since I-don't-even-remember-when but I just can't find time to do it. So let me start with this: a lot has happened since my last post.
1. I finally got a job. (Yes, I'm not a bum anymore.) I now work as a Subtitler for a media company in Makati. We translate and put subtitles on ABS-CBN shows being broadcast on TFC. It is an enjoyable job. I don't even feel like I'm working considering its load. Before, I could just see subbed TFC shows whenever I'm in the States. But now, I'm the one doing it. It feels weird.
2. I'm also about to finish the 2nd season of How to Get Away with Murder. It's such an intense series. It surprises me with its twists and turns although for me, its first season has a more interesting flow of events. Nonetheless, Viola Davis is such a great actress. She seems very jolly in real life (I watched her Ellen interviews) but she has a dark character in the series. That just shows how great she is! I also love that the series goes beyond the usual. They tapped actors of different races, they show the relationship of same sex couples, and the cases were smartly plotted. Looking forward to its third season on September.
3. Speaking of comeback, my other fave series, Jane the Virgin is returning on October 17!!! I can't wait!
4. And the other thing that I'm looking forward to is Ed Sheeran's return by Autumn. I haven't got any dates yet when he'll be releasing the album, but from what he last said, he'll come back in Fall, so I'm hanging on until he lifts his hiatus.
5. I haven't read in a while so I bought some Philippine Literature books. Bob Ong x Eros Atalia. I will let you know about it next time. I'm still reading Bob Ong's "Si", and so far so gooooood!
It has been a while since I last saw an American series. The last one that I watched unfailingly was Battle Creek which lasted only thirteen episodes. (Josh Duhamel fangirl alert!) Currently, I’m binge watching Jane the Virgin. It made a great buzz in 2015 and I’ve been wanting to watch it before but I just did not have much time. Recently, I’ve learned that it will be shown on free TV but it’ll be translated into Filipino. I tried watching it and it’s kind of weird at first but to be honest, it wasn’t that bad at all. So, let me list the things I liked most about it.
Plot. The plot is very gripping. The main conflict was well-thought-out. It’s actually one of the main reasons why I love this show. I do not want to miss a single episode of it because each episode is different from the other. The sub conflicts that arise are unpredictable. The storyline is dynamic and compelling. What am I supposed to say next? It’s just so great I might ran out of adjectives.
Script. The script is well-written. It also seems like its pool of writers has an unlimited supply of creative juice. I love how they incorporate metaphor and satire on the lines delivered by the characters.
Characters. I am not familiar with the actors beforehand but I fell in love with all of them as I go through the series. I feel like they were all meant to land on those roles and the characters fit them perfectly. Also, I love how they play with Jane’s character. A lot of things are going on in her life. She plays the role of a daughter, a granddaughter, a mother, a girlfriend, a hotel employee, a student, a teacher, and an aspiring writer. She represents the millennial woman – an effective multi-tasker.
Transition. One more thing that I like to highlight is its transition. I love the recurring elements. The flashbacks are so fitting with the scenes. The narration is also crazy! It’s refreshing how they incorporate different elements which makes Jane the Virgin more interesting and exciting to watch.
I am still on the second season but I am looking forward to seeing more episodes of Jane the Virgin.
If you are living independently, you are obliged to be more careful of yourself. You need to be well and healthy all the time because it
is hard to get sick most especially if you are away from your family as no one
would be there to look after you. So just recently, I started some adjustments
with my daily activities. Allow me to share some of these changes in my life.
I now wake up earlier than usual and I strictly follow a
meal plan that I created. I make it sure that I get to eat the just the right
amount of meat and have vegetables on my menu. I also drink milk before
sleeping. Aside from that, I just started running. It’s not something that I
would submissively do every day but I plan to run at least twice a week. I ran
for twenty minutes the other day and I would like to run more next time. From
what I’ve read on this article, running makes one happier, it reduces the
chances of dying early due to cancer, and it also improves memory and learning.
See the benefits? Why not add running to your weekly routine too?
The first quarter of this year, I must say that I got sick a
lot of times. I even got sick during my birthday! I hope to stick with these
modifications not only for this year but for the years to come as well. One of
my ultimate goals this year is to be healthier and stronger.
PS. I am looking for an app to monitor my running. Do you
have any suggestions? Comment them below.
Southern California is a place I always go back to. From the time I first stepped on its land, I knew I would have a deep admiration for its beauty. SoCal is all about the sun and the sand. But aside from having nice beaches, they also have a good share of beautiful spots to visit where you can do a wide range of activities that matches your interests. Let me list here some of the SoCal places I have visited which you might enjoy as well when you make a trip to Cali.
1. Disneyland. I mean, who doesn't like Disneyland? The happiest place on Earth! The park is located in Anaheim. It is actually separated into two -- the Disneyland Park and the Disneyland California Adventure. If you're in for subtle, kiddie attractions, then you should choose the former. On the other hand, if you want some intense adventure then go for the latter. But if you want to make the most of your Disney experience then you should probably visit both! You need at least a day to experience one park. It was my first time to visit a Disney park in 2013. We chose the Disneyland park and it brought out the kid in me. I enjoyed the rides and I also took the chance to take pictures with the Disney characters I've grown up with.
2. Universal Studios. Enjoy different rides and attractions
inspired by your favorite Hollywood films like Transformers, Jurassic Park, and
Despicable Me. You may also interact and take selfies with the different
characters roaming around the lot. I got to meet Spongebob Squarepants and Doc
Brown from Back to the Future! When we went there, the Wizarding World of Harry
Potter was still under construction but here’s the good news for you, geeks –
it’s already open!
3. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. If you’re a
person with a big love for art, then LACMA is the best place to go to. With an admission fee of $15 for adult and $10 for seniors and students,
you can enjoy viewing the wonderful works made by different artists. By the way, members and children (17 and under) do not need to pay! You may also view the famous Urban Light installation
outside the LACMA which has been used as a location in the film, No Strings
Attached.
4. Walk of Fame. Your visit to Hollywood would never be
complete without visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You may not be lucky
enough to see your fave celebrities but at least you can have a picture with
their stars on the pavement and you can claim that you’ve been to a place where
that personality has been! You can also enjoy shopping at the different stores
along the boulevard or visit attractions like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not
and the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.
5. Hollywood Sign. When you’re just in the vicinity, you may
have a glimpse of the big Hollywood Sign on the mountain. But it would be
really cool if you get to see it up close. There’s the Griffith Observatory
that you can head on to but when we went there, the GPS took us to a residential
area near the spot where the sign is located. The road leading to it is steep
but you’ll surely have the best view.
6. The Last Bookstore. Are you a book enthusiast? I highly
suggest you visit the Last Bookstore located in Downtown L.A.. Aside from the
thousands of books available, there are also records and other stuff sold like
bags and shirts. You may also score some used books at lower prices. Besides
that, the place is so fantastic. There are different installation arts inside
and I’m sure you’ll love the vintage-y feel of this book haven. There are also
different events held here. You may visit their Facebook page to be updated (The Last Bookstore).
7. LA. Live. Since you’re already in downtown, why not go to
L.A. Live? To make the most of your visit, check in advance if there’s any show
or game you want to watch at the Staples Center or at the Microsoft Theater.
Just a little stroll would also take you to the Grammy Museum where you can see
different music-related exhibits. There are also embedded records of the Grammy winners on the
pavement outside. I successfully found and took a picture of the Fun. record
back in 2013.
8. Santa Monica Pier. Want to go to an amusement park on a beach? Head on to Santa Monica Pier! You just have to drive a bit over than fifteen miles from L.A.. and you may either enjoy the rides at the Pacific Park or plunge yourself in the ocean. You can also go running or biking on the area. It was spring season when I got to visit the place and what I personally like about it is the cold breeze and of course, the picture-worthy view.
A video posted by Henna Rose Geronimo (@hennageronimo) on
9. Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Far away from the city, but nearer to our place
(Mexicali), you can enjoy some sand adventure. It is a four-hour drive from Los Angeles but it is totally worth it. You can bring your own ATV or just rent there. Feel the
adrenaline rush as you drive on perfectly fine sand dunes!
10. In-N-Out. After exhausting yourself from all the
sight-seeing and adventure, look for the nearest In-N-Out. Have a taste of California’s staple. Try their delightful burgers and partner it with animal
fries and milkshake! It’s a taste you would go back to.
SoCal is just a portion of California and a chunk of the
whole USA. There are more to see and explore! I’d love to visit other places
next time. How about you? Have you been to any of these or planning to
go to one? I would love to hear you SoCal stories too! Share them below.
Swimming in the ocean of thoughts
Putting it into poetry
A summer I couldn't forget
Drowning in your memories
Walking on the shore hand in hand
Enjoying the view of the sea and the sky
Creating fancy castles in the sand
We let the time slowly pass by
The weather's gentle and fine
The free birds flying in a flock
But the sun began to hide behind the clouds
Then the day turned into black
The waves splashed on the shore
The castles we made were torn down
The rain fell and the thunder roared
It was indeed a frightening sound
We didn't expect it would be a bad day
We should have made a different plan
Nobody knew it would end up that way
But what could we do if it's already done?
I have watched the recent movie adaptation of The Little Prince the other day. It was a heart-wrenching story. I totally regret not being able to read the book yet. So maybe one of these days, to make up for the lost time, I’d pick up a copy of it at a nearby bookstore and submerge myself to its wonders. What really touched me the most was the subjects it took. It tackles adulthood and human relationships. Well, two relevant things that are driving me insane lately.
It is hard to be an adult. You have to live as independently as possible. You have to stand on your own. You have to find a job after graduation. Not just a job to fill your bum hours but a stable job that will have a say on your future. Being employed is quite scary because it is another big responsibility. But admit it, nothing is more fulfilling than to treat your family to dinner or to buy a ticket to see your favorite artist perform using your hard-earned money. Adulthood might also mean moving out to some. You have to cook for yourself and do laundry on your own. You even have take care of yourself when you get sick. Growing up is not easy. It is not just another level promotion in school. You do not follow a curriculum anymore. You make your own and that’s what you use. Making decisions is vital in this stage. You have to be very careful in whatever you do because your single mistake has a bigger impact than before. As an adult you are expected to act mature, to single out the things you do not need, and focus on your priorities and goals. There may be lessons that you learned in school but it doesn’t prepare you enough to all the challenges you will endure along the way. I don’t think anybody would ever be prepared because nobody could say the exact future. You may have an idea, but it will remain a presumption until it really happens. Maybe life’s supposed to be that way. You do not need to learn everything at once. You learn things along the way.
Relationships also move to a higher level while you grow old. As you meet new people and create a larger circle of friends, things get complicated as well. You make and break relationships. Sometimes you feel as though you're moving away from people who you used to know even if you do not want it to happen. While you want to grow together with the people close to you from the beginning, circumstances tell you that you have to grow apart. The ties you have with people can make you strong but it can also test your frailty.
Henna Rose Geronimo is a communication graduate. Ironically, she rarely talks in public but whenever she feels like sharing her thoughts, she turns to what she knew best – writing.
