Vanity Post: 20 Facts About Me (Tagged by Chexy)

Hello there. Here's a VANITY POST featuring 20 FACTS ABOUT ME. I was tagged by my friend Chexy in Facebook. However, I don't want to post these facts there. At least here, I know that only few people will read this... and most of them are strangers which I really prefer.

20 FACTS ABOUT ME:

1. I AM A HOBBYIST. I am not a professional artist, but I do enjoy doing anything related to arts. Painting (acrylic, oil, watercolor), sketching, drawing. I am into arts and crafts. I know how to sew, do some crochet, make accessories. I am a DIY person. I can make something out of trash or garbage. 
2. I LOVE MUSIC. I grew up listening to The Cranberries. Their song "Zombie" was my favorite when I was in Elementary. I had a 10 year love and hate relationship with my guitar. I can sing and dance... somehow. I can play guitar... somehow. I am not good at them, but I CAN. I write songs sometimes. I love writing lyrics... it amazes me how I can incorporate my "Collections Of Words" into a song. I sing them whenever I feel blue. Music is part of me. I love Metal, Alternative, Goth, Punk-Rock, Grunge, Screamo... INDIE. 
3. I DON'T LIKE STEREOTYPICAL THINGS. Everything that's in Fashion or Fashionable does not impresses me. I always try to choose my own style. I don't want to be a PHOTOCOPY of everyone else. I am ME. I love being myself. Mainstream things are not for me. I like wearing clothes that are different from others. I like listening to unpopular, but cool songs. I like unique and strange things.
4. I LOVE THRIFT SHOP. I'm a Thrift Shop Addict. I know that some of you may find it "GROSS" because I buy second hand things. It's just that, I like old things owned by other people. Why? Because each thing that I bought from Thrift Shop has story of their own. It's like getting to know other people without really seeing them... I only feel them. However, some of the things I bought were branded and "like" new which is really cool.
5. I LOVE OLD THINGS. Yes, like Thrift Shop, Antique Shops are my Paradise. Every time I go there I always feel so relax. The smell of old books, old CDs, old furniture, old things from glassware to chinaware makes me happy and ALIVE. Some of them are owned by other people from different countries and most of them are damaged, but for me damaged things are more attractive. Why? Because it gives them character; every crack, every stain, every imperfection... gives them the UNIQUENESS that I always look in EVERYTHING.
6. I AM LOYAL. If you are my friend, then you already know this. I am a LOYAL FRIEND. I love my friends the way I love my relatives. For me, they are my family. For someone who doesn't have siblings like me... having a friend is really a blessing. I have many experiences of having FAKE friends and FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS. Although it always gives me heartache whenever a friend ignores me and treats like a piece of "SHIT"... I will never plan a REVENGE because they've been good to me... at least.
7. I AM NOT EASILY ATTRACTED TO MEN. Being bullied in the past made me a MAN HATER. I am doing my best to change this character, but for some reason I always find it hard to be attracted to men. They might be good looking, tall, rich... but for me PERSONALITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. Physical appearance depreciates, but personality stays consistent... well at least. When I like somebody, my eyes will always be on him. I usually ignore other men whenever I am attracted to someone.
8. I AM A CLEAN FREAK. I like cleaning a lot. I always look forward to weekend to clean my room and organize my things. I just HATE seeing disorganize environment. 
9. I LOVE SNEAKERS. Aren't they the most comfortable foot wear? If I have to choose among all footwear... I'll still choose sneakers.
10. I AM SHY. Bingo! I am. Really. You don;t know how shy I am until you get to know me.
11. I ALWAYS TALK TO GOD. I may not be the most religious person you'll ever met. I don't go to church that often. Believe it or not, I have a Journal where I write things that I want to talk about with God. I've been doing this since high school. It helps me a lot to be at ease because even if I cannot see him... I always feel that he's with me and that I can always talk with him.
12. I PREFER OLD MOVIES. 1918, 1922, 1938, 1943, 1968, 1975.... I collect movies from these periods. Black and white movies and classic beauty are the best!
13. FRUITS AND VEGETABLE; NO PORK AND BEEF PLEASE. Correct, Pork and Beef will give me heart attack. Every time I eat them... I feel like my body is so DIRTY. I am sorry, but I prefer CHICKEN.
14. I AM A TEA-HOLIC. Any kind of tea... GIVE ME.
15. I DON'T DRINK SODA. My body is 7 years free from SODA. Can you do it? I dare you.
16. CANDY OVER CHOCOLATE. If you want to cheer me up, just give me candies. Don't give me chocolates... I don't really like it.
17. I HAVE A VERY STRONG SELF CONTROL. I can control myself. Temptation is NOTHING TO ME... well, most of the time. 
18. ASIAN AND EUROPEAN CULTURE. Are my current addiction.
19. I LOVE NATURE. Anything that is clean and green; with flowers, windy environment with yellow orange lightning. I am so in love with nature.
20. I LOVE GIVING LOVE AND CARE. Some say that I am too self-less to the point of I have nothing to give to myself. Others are always on the top of my list that I sometimes forget myself. 

I don't mind if you don't care about these facts because I don't think someone will be so interested about me. I did this for the sake of being tagged by my friend... :)

Have a nice day everyone!

Sincerely,
Erica/Erix

Things that made me happy (As of 10:53 am)

1. Eating breakfast. So yummy! Rolled oats, white egg omelet, fresh tomato, fresh papaya, lukewarm lemon water and green tea.
2. Drinking my hot green tea.
3. Playing guitar for an hour.
4. Crossing out things on my "to do list".
5. Writing this blog entry.

How To Have A Good Morning (Things That I've Learned)

(Photo by: Maritess Boudreau)

Happy New Year! I originally written this entry last year; October 7, 2014. I've decided to edit this because I wasn't really able to follow everything here. Honestly, I've been in a period of depression. Seriously, I never thought that I would be suffering this much mentally and emotionally. This emotional pain had... still have me. However, I am going to do my best to fight this. I want to bring back the color to my life. Wish me luck everyone, because I am really tired.

Few months ago, I've stumbled upon an article entitled "7 Things Healthy People Do Every Morning" from foodmatters.tv (you may click the link and read the article/blog). I started to do these seven things again after I came back from the road trip to Baguio City with my couins. I swear! These help me a lot to boost my mood in the morning. Morning is very important because this is the start of our day (except for those who have nocturnal job... I know... I know...), If you start your day feeling gloomy, down and blue the probability of spending the whole day feeling these is very high. However, if you will start your day feeling good about yourself despite work or school troubles...believe me, you will find yourself confident that you can do all things if you will start and focus your mind on the positive. Honestly, I find myself in a good mood, with happy disposition and with a positive mind. It amazes me how these things could actually help someone who has tons of problems and troubles. I know that everyone of us is fighting a battle of our own, that's why I want to share my experiences with these things that are helping me lately.

1. Drink A Glass Of Water As Soon As You Wake Up

In my case, I drink lukewarm lemon water and it's been almost a year and a half since I've started this morning routine. Drinking water or lemon/lime water in the morning helps us flush out the toxins from our body and it also helps in hydrating. Lemon and Lime are rich in vitamin C that helps to strengthen our immune system.

2. Do Not check Your Email Or Phone For At Least An Hour

Oh yes! I am guilty of checking my emails, Facebook, instagram, Skype and line as soon as I wake up. It's a BAD HABIT indeed. Because instead of being thankful and grateful for another morning and fresh day... I sometimes find myself disappointed, pressured, annoyed, irritated by some post of the people in the web... cyber acquaintances. So what I do now is that after waking up, I jump out of my bed and stretch my body. I flip my hair side by side and grab my guitar. I play at least one song before breakfast.

3. Think Of One Thing For Which You Have Gratitude

I have a small notebook on my study table wherein I write the things that I am grateful for. I am the kind of person who becomes grateful from a simple "good morning" from a friend or from my cousins, a sunny day, cloudy day, windy day, rainy day (except stormy day). I get happy from the smell of newly baked "Pandesal" or freshly toasted bread and fried eggs. Start your morning by feeling grateful about the simple things in your life.

4. Step Outside And Take A Deep Breath

Okay... I don't really do this when I am about to spend my day in the house, but what I do is that I open my window and shove my curtains aside to let the sunlight in. Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling will help you release all the negativity from your body. It's like a process of detoxifying your body from all the negative vibes that lingers in/on/at you (lol for that).

5. Move Your Body

According to the article, it's not necessary to do an intense workout before breakfast. Who has time for that when you are running late from your job or school? Simply doing simple stretches, like what I have said, will wake up your senses leaving you feeling so much ALIVE. I actually do some random dance with my guitar in front of my mirror... like no one is watching.

6. Take Time To Eat A Healthy Breakfast

I used to eat cereals because it is very convenient. You only need to toss the cereals in your bowl and pour milk in it... voila! Hello Breakfast! Nowadays, my breakfast consists of Oatmeal, Fruits, Green Tea, Lemon Water and some protein such as tofu, chicken, fish or egg. If I don't have much time to eat in the morning, I bring my breakfast at work or at school. I don't go to fast food chains to buy their breakfast combo. No matter how convenient they are, I choose to eat food which can make me feel full, but low in calories and saturated fats. 

7. Say Your Affirmations

My Aunt taught me this... I asked her "Auntie Tess, what can I do to be happy in the morning like you?" And she said that every time she wakes up, she would go in front of her mirror to greet herself like this "GOOD MORNING BEAUTIFUL! YOU ARE PERFECT JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!!!".

So I am doing the same thing now. Just now. I don't have to be shy to say that line because I am doing this for myself. It is my way to feel good about my body, my face and skin despite the facial demons that I am having right now. The heck with them! Start by "FEELING" good and beautiful... and you will be one.

Here are other things that I do:

1. Write On My Journal
2. Read And Update My "Dreams and Aspirations" Journal where I write the things that I want, things that I want to do and the person that I want to become.
3. Play My Guitar For At Least 30 Minutes For Relaxation (If I have much time... sometimes even I f I don't have...)
4. Read Books While Eating My Breakfast
5. Talk With Somebody

I hope these things will help you to have a GOOD MORNING!

Sincerely,
Erica/Erix

Things that made me happy:

1. Finishing my Homework. Success!!!!!
2. Exercising for an Hour. I need to get back in shape. I must.
3. That our dog Cloney is still alive. I thought she's going to leave us yesterday because she'd been acting so strange the whole day. 
4. Talking in skype with my Fairy Godparents. I feel blessed whenever I talk with them.
5. That I am still alive.
6. That my parents are in good health.
7. That I have True and Loyal friends.
8. That I have many cousins. I miss them now... I miss their noise..