almost a throwback: videoke-ing adventures plus my chubby cheeks

IT'S BEEN A WHILE. It holds true for a lot of things related to myself - blogging being one of the obvious. Aside from the fact that nothing big has happened lately, I've been uninspired too. Ughh! The latter half of June has been ugly in all sorts of ways. In fact, I'm still nursing a wound on my chin worthy of two stitches. I chose not to have it stitched for two reasons: first, all my strength gets drained at the sight of blood and needles then second, I'm scared it will turn into an ugly scar of stitches. I'm keeping my faith that this will heal beautifully. *fingers crossed*

I digress. Below are photos from one documented videoke session with the fam bam. With documented, I meant we took a lot of  photos. Hahaha! This happened back in February but at that time I didn't find it blog-worthy. Then one day, I was browsing through 2013 photos and I got amused at how healthy I look few months back. I'm so thin again 'cause I got sick twice already. So anyway, that made me put this videoke sesh in the queue.

my fattest cheeks ever

Here's a little trivia. Did you know that I first sang in the videoke only last 2011? Yep, just two years back. Hahaha! I've been really quite reserved in the singing department to the point that I even had to put "sing in the videoke" in my 25 before 25 bucket list. Funny how it's such a big deal for me until now. {I'm blushing in shame already.} I only sing with a microphone when I'm with my family, birit kung birit baliw-baliwan talaga. :P But when it comes to friends, I still can't take humiliating myself. Haha!

with my videoke seatmate

fam bam ♥

I still have a long way to go with my singing career but for the meantime, you may check out this link {click it, click it} to read my videoke turning point with my family and of course, to watch our super crazy sing & dance video. Don't judge.

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the andy grammer obsession part 2

the andy grammer obsession part 1

 I just had to document these. Andy Grammer's songs from his second EP, Soft Lights on Bright Colors. I downloaded the songs from Grooveshark using Wondershare and then uploaded them in Tindeck. Wheew!! Anything for Andy! Hahaha! Too bad I can't find the lyrics of the other songs. Anyway, give them a listen for me.

Second EP: Soft Lights on Bright Colors (2009)

Source: Grooveshark / Andy Grammer Blog

Track 01

Saints We Create

Lyrics

I wrote a story I can sleep with

Sometimes at night I like to read it

Half of the time I might believe it

But its really all for me

Im putting confidence in hearsay

Im givin' circumstances its trophies

Im writin' a script where she is always

The perfect one for me

The perfect one for me, oh

(Chorus)

And oh, the saints we create when we are feeling all alone

Cause you need something

And oh, the lovers who fake the tale are made to keep us warm

Cause we need something

mmmm

Im getting caught up in the moment oh

Im using her beauty as an omen

She is the one my soul's been calling

And its really all for me

Its really all for me

(Chorus)

It goes we keep pushing,on our hearts, keep pushing,on our hearts

Tryin' to feel like we're in love

Keep pushing,on our hearts, keep pushing on our hearts

It goes we keep pushing,on our hearts,

Keep pushing, on our hearts

Tryin' to feel like were in love

Keep pushin on our hearts, keep pushing on our hearts

And I know

There is more to this

Than eyes closed and a slow romantic kiss

And we've shown, that we are bound to drift

We are searching for an anchor,

Cause the most of us are anchor-less

(Chorus)

Track 02

Fireflies

Lyrics

Driving through streetlights watching the nightlife behind the glass I'm 

driving home I chase the fireflies cackle and realize they are the birds 

when flash is gone ladies are glowing, guys are holding jars, the summer 

breeze blowing for the chasing stars 

and its all that we know 

all that we know 

it's all that we know 

but she's needing more than love outta life ay yay and all these brothers 

come at night oh no nooo

but tired and worn she know what will catch their eyes

oh

she is a gorgeous firefly... as she flies by

Waiting for loved ones to slide to the forefront fella start pondering their 

lives we wanna knock out don't wanna block out where we know we need 

to survive ladies are glowing, guys are holding jars, the summer breeze 

blowing, for the chasing stars 

chorus

and we've all wished the other would see past the cover and the leading 

and man and the leading lady need to take a stand and then maybe

Track 03

Interlude

Track 04

Casual

Lyrics

Let's keep it casual, he says

She could not agree more as she nods her head

Let's water down this drink of ours

We'd rather lowers stakes than raise the bar

It's not looking too good 

I'm not feeling the way that I should

Try to separate the ocean from the shore

It's not looking too good

I've been wondering maybe we could

Figure out just what we're marching towards

'Cause we are, we are forcing 

Our bodies not to breathe

And we are, we are more than

Straight to DVD

And we are, we are born in 

To higher lives than these

And still we live

So casually

Let's keep it casual, she says

He could not agree more

As he gets from the bed

Let's hold back most of who we are

Can touch the body but the soul stays so far

It's not looking too good

I'm not feeling the way that I should

Try to separate the ocean from the shore

It's not looking too good

I've been wondering maybe we could

Figure out just what we're marching towards

'Cause we are, we are forcing

Our bodies not to breathe

And we are, we are

More than straight to DVD

And we are, we are born in

To higher lives than these

Still we live

So casually

Oh no no no

We are fragile

This is more than just for fun

We are noble 

Underneath all we have done

We are brilliant

If you reach beyond our skin

We are brilliant

When we finally let you in

'Cause we are, we are forcing

Our bodies not to breathe

And we are, we are more than

Straight to DVD

And we are, we are born in

To higher lives than these

Still we live

So casually

Track 05

Stores

Track 06

Numbers

Lyrics
At the bass y'all

At the trumpet y'all

Well I'm five on a good day six

I got plenty of things need to fix

A bigger chest and dimples in my face

With those I could be pushin' seven to eight

Guitar in my hand add a point to my score

No car slide me down to a four

Six feet with a pair of blue eyes

Brings me back up to a five

Greater than less than equal to

You're making this way too mathematical

The value of personality seems to be dead

All walkin' around with numbered halo's on our heads well

Threes want fours and fours want fives

Eights think nines have much better lives

And it's a reasonable question to ask

I guess it's all how ya doing the math

And I can sit and I can lie to you

And say this somethin' that I don't do

But I'm another number crunchin' fool

Whose calculator's way overused

Greater than less than equal to

You're making this way too mathematical

The value of personality seems to be dead

All walkin' around with numbered halo's on our heads and I'm thinking

Just one time

I wish I could have a nine

She'd be hot and she'd be mine just one time

But for every nine there's a two starting back at you

wishing you would do what you wanted the nine to eh

90% of the mental judicial system is based solely on superficial intuition

To me that seems a bit strange

Only talk to people who we think we might be kissin'

That's a lot of ideas to be dismissing

We leave it to humans to choose the criteria we can't change

It doesn't make sense no doesn't make sense doesn't make sense

For the numbers to be where we are concentrating

In my minor sense i condense in my minor sense

Asymmetrical interactions

Simply evaporating

I'm a five on a good day six

Got plenty of things need to fix

I need a formula or some sort of plan to focus on the soda not the can

Track 07

Couple More Sleeves

Lyrics

I've got a couple more years on you babe, and that's all

I've had more chances to fly, and more places to fall

And it ain't that I'm wiser, it's only that I've spent

More time with my back to the wall

And I've picked up a couple more years on you babe, that's all

I've walked a couple more roads than you babe, that's all

And I'm tired of runnin' while you're only learnin' to crawl

And you're headin' somewhere, but I've been to somewhere

And found it was nowhere at all

And I've picked up a couple more years on you babe, that's all

Now sayin' goodbye, girl, don't never come easy at all

But you've gotta fly 'cause you're hearin' them young eagles call

And someday when you're older you'll smile at a man strong and tall

And you'll say, "I've got a couple more years on you babe, that's all"

You'll say,"I've got a couple more years on you babe, that's all

I've had more chances to fly, and more places to fall

And it ain't that I'm wiser, it's only that I've spent

More time with my back to the wall

And I've picked up a couple more years on you babe, and that's all"

Track 08

Stepping Stone

Lyrics
I can't say that love is gone
Something still feels wrong
I find myself so far from you, oh
Foot in, one foot out
I chase my tail about
You analyse my every move, oh

See you don't need me now
I'll just slow you down
You can stand all on your own, oh
The love we shared was real
The secrets we revealed
I hope I was a stepping stone, oh

Because you are more yourself than when you met me
And I can say the same
I'm more myself than when I met you

And oh, I just want you to know
This is not a waste of time
There's so much more below
The surface we all search to find
The one's that help us grow
And you have done that much for me
And I hope I've been a stepping stone
Looking back on what was done
Sure, I hurt you some
Sure, you threw a few low blows, oh
But when the bruises heal
I'll take down my shield
And thank God above I know you

Because you are more yourself than when I met you
And I can say the same
I'm more myself than when I met you

And oh, I just want you to know
This is not a waste of time
There's so much more below
The surface we all search to find
The one's that help us grow
And you have done that much for me

So please I ask you don't
Toss the work we've done aside
Because we're letting go
This is just a piece of life
Focus on the whole
We have come so far

Well I hope you use my back to step across the pond
And I hope by pushing off me, you will land upon
The guy who's surely out there to whom you belong
Find him now

And oh, I just want you to know
This is not a waste of time
There's so much more below
The surface we all search to find
The one's that help us grow
And you have done that much for me

So please I ask you don't
Toss the work we've done aside
Because we're letting go
This is just a piece of life
Focus on the whole
We have come so far

Sing it out,
I needed, I needed
To meet you

Check out also the first part of this obsession, HERE! :) Hafta Goo! Hope everyone's having a fine Saturday morning. ♥

the andy grammer obsession part 3

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the art of overdressing

One lazy Sunday afternoon last month, we suddenly decided to go for a swim. Random swimming - it happens quite a lot. Check out here, here, and here. We either go to Grotto Vista or to Patio Isabel, both one jeepney away from our home. Add to that, both have minimal rates too. Talk about convenience!

It was my idea because I was hella bored; you know how I hate being bored. Fortunately, mommy {my cousin's wife} agreed with the idea. It's just fitting 'cause Elena {her cousin, the one we dragged to boxing} was about to go back to the province in few days.

You know the deal when our family has somewhere to go to, after we have decided on where to go and when to leave, we head to our own rooms/territories to prepare. We just check on each other to make sure everyone's keeping with the pace. We are all mabagal pero bawal ang sobrang bagal. :P Just as I checked with mommy and Elena, I found out that they're wearing maxi dresses. I brought Dana the news and we instantly changed to dressier outfits. Haha! That's how we end up being overdressed.

our little girl being adorable as always

Elena ♥

 
It was a little embarrassing going to the resort. I cannot count how many eyes stared at us. Hahaha! Good thing mommy has immeasurable confidence. Go lang ng gooo! :P

It was drizzling when we got to the resort so we had to begin with our pictorial inside the cottage. My sister was teasing me for being the most overdressed because of my dangling earrings. Hahaha! I realized she has a point so I gave mommy my earrings. Notice in the photos how the famous earrings transferred to mommy.

overdressed but who cares?

teens will always be annoying teens

When the drizzle got lighter, we hurried outside the cottage for more photo ops. It was quite a task though because mommy had to protect my camera from getting wet. We took a couple of photos then headed for a swim instead.

the overdressed kids by the bridge

by the swimming lessons area

Oh! And I'm not yet done with the overdressing stories. The truth, I only wear bikinis to the beach. I honestly do not know what came to my mind when I brought out my bag of bikinis while we were preparing.  I saw the excitement on Elena's face so I let her borrow one. Of course my sissy just won't allow getting  left behind so she chose a pair for herself too. Tadaaaa! We wore two-piece swimsuits in the pool. Hahaha! Glad I still saved the shorts for myself.

happy kiddos

here they go again. ugh.

By night time, there was some sort of a comedy show in front of the main pool. We sat by the stairs as we watched. Our little princess on the other hand had the time of her life as she pretended to swim like a mermaid. I swear she's just too adorable for words.

chillin' by the stairs

As we were enjoying the chlorine and all the pee by the pool, mommy had no choice but to stare and take photos. She's preggers with their second baby, that's why. Can't wait for Faye to act all grown-up around her younger sib but that would be for another story.

cousins ♥

We went home a little early considering we paid for night swimming. We could have stayed longer if not for the kiddo and the preggers but oh well.. we had fun still! We'll definitely miss this batangueña. 'Til next year. ♥

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the andy grammer obsession

 the andy grammer obsession part 4

 One lazy Wednesday afternoon, I found myself obsessing with Andy Grammer again. This time though my obsession got a notch worse to the point that I actually registered to Andy Grammer Nation just to find his old songs. I found out that even before his self-titled album, Andy Grammer of course, he already released a couple of EP's, Extended Play that is. His First EP is The World is Yours released back in 2007. He actually sold that album personally to people when he was still a busker in Santa Monica. That got me admiring him all the more. Hahaha! Patay na patay lang ang peg. :P

And while I'm still downloading the tracks on his second EP, Soft Lights on Bright Colors, you might want to listen to the tracks below from his first EP. Hihihi. Tara, kanta! 

First EP: The World is Yours (2007)

Source: Andy Grammer Nation/ Basklever on YouTube

Track 01

The World is Yours

Lyrics

This is the song that you throw on

When life is feeling rather long

And you're longing for confidence to make it

And these are the words that make you feel

That all your dreams aren't dreams

But real events that simply haven't taken place yet 

But if you stare high

The sky will come right down and kiss you

If you keep your head towards the stars

They will assist you

The world is yours

The world is yours

This is the time of night

When all the streetlights rub their waking eyes

The day and night find compromise in dark blue

This is the magic in the air

That whispers, "You are almost there"

The worries, cares, and daydreamers will leave soon

But if you stare high

The sky will come right down and kiss you

If you keep your head towards the stars

They will assist you

The world is yours

The world is yours

Well, this is the song that you throw on

When life is feeling rather long

And you're longing for confidence to make it

And these are the words that make you feel

That all your dreams aren't dreams

But real events that simply haven't taken place yet 

But if you stare high

The sky will come right down and kiss you

But if you keep your head towards the stars

They will assist you

The world is yours

The world is yours

What are you waiting for?

The world is yours

The world is yours 

Track 02

Where are You

Can't find the lyrics of this one. Eepp! Help me? :)

Track 03

Still Beautiful

Lyrics

Our conversations are flying home tonight

Honeymooners, returning on a midnight flight

They are coming back to normal lives

Vacations morph into nine-to-fives

And I slip off this rosy pair

Of lenses and you're still beautiful

Smoke has cleared, the wrapping tears

Bright lights fade, and you're still beautiful

I sense you shaving off my mysteries

And knowing my trophies have realistic histories

The fish have gone aback to normal size

A man of limits stands before your gentle eyes

And I slip off this rosy pair

Of lenses and you're still beautiful

Smoke has cleared, the wrapping tears

Bright lights fade, and you're still beautiful

I start with my nose at the painting

Slowly step back and this is amazing

Dr. Cal has a patient-ly waiting for me to earn them

"Real" is harder to see in a smile

Tears break the seal of denial

Rosy colors are nice for a while but now I'm learning

And I slip off this rosy pair

Of lenses and you're still beautiful

Track 04

Touch

Lyrics

Touch that is the new condition

All of my thoughts positioned towards the ground where I can stand

Such, it's such an easy surrender

When we become pretenders sending dreams up in balloons that never land

Some day I will be a millionaire

I'd rather talk about it then be here

Well I am busy planning a wedding

Although I keep on forgetting that I do not have a wife

And my recipes are so enticing 

Focusing time on the icing of the cakes that seem to make up all my life

Some day I will be a millionaire

I'd rather talk about it then be here

Lately everything it seems so clear

It's that I never want to lie

It's that I'm never going to lie

Well I wasn't made to lie

I want to feel 

Like the missing puzzle piece of something that's real

Bring to the table, something that's stable

And I don't need to fool this light 

That is such an ugly fight and I

Never liked acting much

Anything I do now I need to touch

I'm running around in a costume

Slowing me down as I'm posturing myself to gain the wealth of what I'm not

Hey everyone sees it's a costume

Take it off maybe I'll blossom into who it is I was but just forgot

Track 05

Numbers (live)

Lyrics

At the bass y'all

At the trumpet y'all

Well I'm five on a good day six

I got plenty of things need to fix

A bigger chest and dimples in my face

With those I could be pushin' seven to eight

Guitar in my hand add a point to my score

No car slide me down to a four

Six feet with a pair of blue eyes

Brings me back up to a five

Greater than less than equal to

You're making this way too mathematical

The value of personality seems to be dead

All walkin' around with numbered halo's on our heads well

Threes want fours and fours want fives

Eights think nines have much better lives

And it's a reasonable question to ask

I guess it's all how ya doing the math

And I can sit and I can lie to you

And say this somethin' that I don't do

But I'm another number crunchin' fool

Whose calculator's way overused

Greater than less than equal to

You're making this way too mathematical

The value of personality seems to be dead

All walkin' around with numbered halo's on our heads and I'm thinking

Just one time

I wish I could have a nine

She'd be hot and she'd be mine just one time

But for every nine there's a two starting back at you

wishing you would do what you wanted the nine to eh

90% of the mental judicial system is based solely on superficial intuition

To me that seems a bit strange

Only talk to people who we think we might be kissin'

That's a lot of ideas to be dismissing

We leave it to humans to choose the criteria we can't change

It doesn't make sense no doesn't make sense doesn't make sense

For the numbers to be where we are concentrating

In my minor sense i condense in my minor sense

Asymmetrical interactions

Simply evaporating

I'm a five on a good day six

Got plenty of things need to fix

I need a formula or some sort of plan to focus on the soda not the can

the andy grammer obsession part 2

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on repeat

I'm currently raping the replay button of this song. Thank you Lord for good music & cold weather. ♥

Alicia Keys

Girl on Fire

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