The New Year

Happy New Year to you all! 

I hope that you had a fantastic start of the new calendar and left all your unwanted "goods" back in 2017. 

 For me, a New Year is a year to challenge yourself further in comparison to the accomplishments you did or didn't do in the last previous years. It's sort of a way that helps you build yourself on top of everything else you've experienced.

 From the top of my head, Bucket Lists might be a good example. Instead of "New Years Resolutions", I think bucket lists are better because 1) they're an on going process 2) you don't necessarily have to accomplish all of them in one go 3)You can add to the list whenever and wherever 4) If you're not ready to face on of the things on the list, you can skip it for next time when you are ready. 

I can go on with the various lists but in conclusion, bucket lists are just less of a stress and you're not really forcing yourself to do something, instead you're giving yourself life goals to accomplish within your life time. By doing this, I believe that in the end you're going to feel like you have lived life to the fullest as you would have spent each year (atleast) trying to better yourself in facing a challenge for yourself. 

....there is also the resolution to make better bad decisions so cheers :)

xxx

Life

Life. There are so many ways to define this, you could either take it in a positive perspective or a negative perspective. But, maybe, my point is that our experiences shape how we see life as a whole. I can go on a whole level of a tangent but I guess I'd just leave this little statement here 1)because i'm in my free period and was just pondering life since i have nothing much to do as mocks are over and 2)because I can't really apply my definition of life to someone else's because were all living in our own ways.

Some people might be going through rough times at the moment, but I'd just like to say that you've already come this far and you've most definitely thought that at a past point in your life you were never going to make it this far because of another obstacle you had to face. But no, you're wrong, you got here and you're still going. You are growing because of these obstacles you have faced and are going to face. You have got this! I was watching an inspirational YouTube video and one of the things that sprung out on me was when she said "you are your biggest and longest commitment, so don't dwell on the past and don't waste a minute of the day doing so". People use to ask me, "Maicca, what's you're biggest fear?" and other than answering spiders, I would say: failure. However, after watching that inspirational video, the woman moved me to no longer fear failure, because failure is one of the things that is going to help you become a much stronger and ultimately a better person. It's what is going to make you no longer fail as we should learn from our mistakes, but also make sure the mistakes don't happen again. If/when they do, just ask yourself: "What am I doing wrong?". They say that the truth hurts, but if you keep lying to yourself that you don't need improvements or hiding from what your failures are, the truth is that you will never be able to grow. John Locke's "Tabula Rasa" explains how we are like a clean sheet of paper and that our experiences shape what we become, so through the build up of our schemas (the package of information we aquire through experiences), we will be able to reflect and understand how we can improve as an individual.

Wowza!, told you I can go on a whole level of a tangent.
I still feel like there is a lot going through my mind about this topic and that there are many more things I'd like to say about it. I feel like its quite a sensitive topic that people often don't want to express as it might be out of their comfort zone, but It's also something to make people aware and kept on their feet to think about. #selfgrowth

see you in the next post

xxx

"Friends"

Good Morning! Surprised by another post? 

Today I'm going to write about the types of friends we might have, might have encountered or will encounter within our lifetime. 

In my opinion, friends, just like our family, are here to shape you as a person, but the only difference between them and our family is that they have the free will to leave you at anytime. Of course some will stay, but that might only be a small minority and that's when you know who your true friends are.

Lets begin... (in no particular order)

1. The Best Friend - This is the friend you consider to be your Top (its in the name) You feel like you can tell them anything and everything at all times, without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. You know that they will give you the best, honest advice without being subjective, because they just want the best for you. You might not see them everyday or for a long time, but when you guys see each other, you can instantly connect with each other and the day just passes in a blink of an eye. Even if you guys don't see each other, there will always be social media such as Snapchat or Facetime where you guys can talk for as long as possible. They or you feel like you are able to call them at anytime, without the need to "book an appointment".
2. The School Friend - This is a friend that you only talk to at school and no place else. You are only connected through school but outside school, you have 1% - 0% social contact with them. But, if they do talk to you, it would probably be about school related topics. 
3. Best Guy/Girl   Friend -  If you noticed the gap between guy/girl and friend, you would know that this isn't the romantic meaning. This is the friend of the opposite sex. You feel like you are able to connect and talk about anything with them just like your guys or girls, but the only difference is that they're not of the same gender as you (this person is basically the opposite sex of your best friend). . 
4. The Gay Best friend - again, like the best friend, this is usually the friend of the opposite sex who considers themselves as gay. 
5. The funny friend - This is the friend you miss the most if they are not with you or within the group of friends you have, because they are they ones to liven up the conversations. When they're not with you, you just wonder where they are. 
6. The serious friend -  Opposite to the funny friend, they are the most responsible and know when to stop the joke before "anything bad" happens. They give you morals for life, because they want the best for you and these advises might not be from experience but they are what you call "The Wise Old Owl" 
7. The one who got away friend - This is the unfortunate friend who lost you, instead of you losing them because its their loss, not yours. They were your friend for quite some time, but something happened and you guys weren't able to sort things out or accept each other again after what had happened (probably because of pettiness) 
8. The EVERYDAY rude friend -  This friend is like the "devils advocate" where they are always against everyones opinion. You cant really cut them off of your "friends list" because, like the funny friend, they bring a little bit of excitement and debate in your conversations, which you might like. 
9. The converter - This is the friend that you really really really connect with and you start developing romantic feelings for them 
10. The silent assassin -  This is the silent but deadly friend, because in the outside they might be seen as kind and innocent, but deep inside, you know that they have a dark dark side that isn't so innocent. 
11. The Bad influence - This is the friend who draws you into trying out crazy experiences, but most of the time they are the most memorable (unless you were drunk) and you are most likely to say that you are never going to do it again, but end up doing it anyways. 

That's all that I can think about at the moment, but if you have any suggestions on the other types of friends you/people have, please comment down below. Going to go to my psychology lesson now, thanks for reading and I hope that you enjoyed and somehow related to what I've written.

xoxo

New Beginings

Hello!

Wow, how time flies! Its been so very long since I've written on here (2 years to be exact) 

Anyways... how have you been? I'm currently writing this in my English class (which is going to end in approximately 15 mins anyways) when I'm suppose to be drafting my coursework about 'The Great Gatsby', but I got side tracked and somehow ended up here. Looking back at my old blog posts have made me realise how much I enjoyed writing on here because its as if its my public diary which I can share to the whole wide world, my anonymous friends. 

Wow, I've actually missed this! 

Well, its 2017 and we have got a lot of catching up to do! 

...I'm finally 18! It feels so weird how I started this blog when I was around 13 or 14? idk, but as you can tell, its been a blimming long time. 

I turned 18 on the 26th November but decided to celebrate it on the 25th November because it fell on a Saturday and it was a school week. Instead of following the Filipino tradition of having a 18th Debut where there is a cotillion, 18th roses, long, big, fancy dresses, I decided to do something different. Please don't get offended if you're a Filipino but this was mostly because I'd rather spend my day with my actual close friends rather than having a bunch of people in a big hall and having no time to actually talk to my friends because I would've been busy doing stuff you do at a Filipino Debut. (search up Filipino 18th debut party if you're not entirely sure how to picture it) so, for my 18th my mum booked me and my friends a night at 'The Grange Hotel' at St Paul's, which is a 5 star hotel. The plan was to meet up at the hotel and as soon as we checked in, we'd be escorted to the spa where do a lil bit of swimming, relaxing in the saunas.. etc We chilled at the spa for around 3 hours and decided to head up to the hotel room so that we could start getting ready for the dinner, which was at 'Benihanas'. After getting into my dress and shammed up with make up, we headed to the restaurant, and that's where i met up with those who didn't go to the spa.

... And so everyone was together sitting in the restaurant. 

At BENIHANA the food is cooked in front of you and I enjoyed that experience because the chefs were enthusiastic. After the dinner we went out an took pictures near St Paul's Cathedral where I got a couple of frost bites, but its cool. During this time, my mum and sister were both busy decorating the hotel room after the rush to get ready for the dinner. I was surprised when I walked in because it was amaazzinnnggg!! 

Everyone sang happy birthday, my parents left the room and then the partayyyyy started!!!! 

At 00:00 it was officially the 26th November and was my Official birthday.and thats all im gonna say .... also we ended up sleeping at 5am.

9:00am we all woke up and got ready for breakfast and we went up to the 7th floor to look at the view from st pauls and we stayed there for a bit and took many more pictures and i got to face time my family in the Philippines. After checking out if the hotel me and my family headed to church so that i could take time to thank the Lord for the 18th year of my life.  After that we went home and rested and i thought that was the end of my celebration...

...but after my dad woke up from his nap he insisted that we'd go out to a restaurant to celebrate (again) At this point, I felt tired and was a little bit grumpy, but I got in the car, thinking that it would just be a normal birthday dinner with the family... As soon as we got to the JRC buffet, I saw some familiar Filipino faces and felt very confused as to how, coincidentally, they were there. As i walked in, everyone started singing "happy birthday" to me and realised how my parents planned a surprise dinner party with all the Filipino people i know. 

So that was basically my 18th birthday, very badly written, but honestly its like one of those moments where you have to live it instead (if that makes sense) 

I would just like to add that i am very grateful that i have such amazing friends and families i have. 

I LOVE YOU ALL oh so very much <3

I am slightly sad that i wasnt able to invite every single friend and family that i have to celebrate on my day but i would also like to say that, if youre reading this, i thought about you and had you in my heart as i celebrated. so yall were there in spirit.

There are so many more things that id like to write on here so stay tuned

xoxo

Autumn Must Haves

Welcome back!

 It's starting to really feel and look like autumn now, here in the UK, so I decided to put up a blog post telling you about the "must have" items you should have during the autumn or even all year round. These items are candles. (images are below) As a side note, I do know that these candles I have don't quite shout out autumn/ fall, but I still love them because as long as you like the smell you'll be able to get cosy throughout the cold, shivery weather. All that matters is that you have a scent that soothes and keeps you warm  throughout this weather. 

Similarly, as well as candles, don't forget a super soft, fluffy blanket. Blankets are also a must have in the autumn and winter just because; there is no other reason for it. I didn't attach an image of how it looks like but its red and very fluffy and I'm all wrapped up in it as I write this blog post.    

Happy Autumn/ fall everyone!

See you soon

xox

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It's November!

Hello guys! It's November 2nd meaning that school has resumed, winter is approaching and my birthday is coming!! It's become a lot foggier here in London and I'm sort of loving it because with this weather all that comes into mind are cosy blankets and warm, hot chocolates with whip cream and sprinkled co-co power on top. 

Anyways, as I mentioned due to school resuming there will be fewer blog posts going up because of my mocks that will be happening in early December. I will try my best to post as much content but this will only happen if I have some time on my hands, which is probably going to be highly unlikely. BUT do be surprised sometimes as there is no exact scedual as to when I will be posting so just keep checking daily. 

Good luck to anyone who is in the exact position as I am (exams, revision) or for those who are high achievers who want to do well in life. I know you will do well as long as you put your mind to it. 

I hope you guys are well and always positive and I will 

see you soon. 

xox

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Girl Online : Review

YouTube star and blogger, Zoe Sugg, also known as ‘Zoella’ on the internet, is the author of this brilliant novel, Girl Online. This is Zoe Sugg’s very first novel taking place by the coast in Brighton and it surrounds a girl called Penny who too is a blogger like Sugg herself. However, the main protagonist, Penny, is hiding her online journal away from her friends and family as it holds her most secreted emotions about almost everything that occurs in her life. In surprise, Penny soon receives and gains followers who comment on her blog posts making her amazed about how people understand her making her feel as if she isn't alone.

Girl Online is targeted at teenagers as it portrays the aspects of growing up in the modern world of using social media. It also asserts people about those individuals who suffer from panic attacks, which is an anxiety disorder occurring only when people feel anxious or nervous when confronted with a dilemma. This is a very important factor incorporated in this novel because there is an insufficient amount of books like Girl Online where people can easily relate to about this condition.

After Penny makes a huge fool of herself by tripping over, flashing her knickers and making it all the way to the internet, her and her parents fly over to New York to help out for a costumers Downtown Abbey themed wedding as part of their family business, which associates in helping people with their weddings. This trip turns Penny’s worsts days into her most cherished as she meets the boy of her dreams, Noah. Nevertheless, he also has a secret that can threat Penny as well as her closest friends, but you may not notice this due to his ‘Rock-God-Tastic’ charms.

Released on November 25^th 2014, the book became the UK's fastest-selling novel and aside from the many controversies concerning how Zoe Sugg put her name on a ‘ghost written’ book, the story line was well written and easy to read. It talked about topics which will catch the sight of people who are tackling the issue with confronting teenage life, facing those who envy items or specific traits of someone and expressing this through anger and harassment through social media.

We get our first impressions of the book when we see its front appearance and with Girl Online’s bold, blocked and bright colours of light blue, red and with a tint of rose gold combined together, represent how the story will be very uplifting to the readers. Snapshots of pictures on the cover show relation to social media as this generation has been driven to a root where they take pictures of their life style, for example the social medias that have been popularly used, using this feature is called Instagram.

Overall, I would say that although the book gained most of its popularity through Zoe Sugg’s subscribers and had many debates about whether the book deserved its place as a bestselling book, it sustained a reputation of a well written novel because the plot line introduced themes which are not well known to our modern society. An example of this is with Penny and her gay best friend who is not bullied but is accepted instead. I would recommend this book to anyone who is suffering from anxiety attacks/ teenagers who like a bit of romance or anyone who likes to read books with a positive moral in the end. 

See you soon

xoxo

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