BDJ Fair 2016: Rise Above The Waves

It's the BDJ Fair, again! Yay! It's one of my favorite events every year. I was kind of torn because there was also another anime event happening on the same day of October 16. However, I chose to be in the BDJ Fair because the new planners and inspiring talks always get me hyped up and very excited! 

Themed as "Rise Above The Waves", I find it really apt for me because I consider myself to be in my rock bottom years. Time to rise above it all this coming 2017, right? I'm sure a lot of Bellas can relate, too.

 

Let's rise above the waves, dearies!

SM Mall of Asia Music Hall was filled with booths and packed with people. The first booth that I checked out was, of course, the planner selling area. Lots of goodies were on display and I couldn't decide which one to get.

The planners on sale at the Fair!

The Navi planner is for my explorer side and Everything is Possible Planner is for my own self-motivation. Both are in sync with me. But I should choose only one. *Sigh* Hahaha... Well, at the end of it all, I still got the Belle de Jour Power Planner. It has been the one for me for six years... and going seven for 2017. Oh... another hard decision for me was to choose which cover to buy. Hehehe...

Decisions. Decisions... which cover do you like best?

The classic cover at the right with the BDJ girl on it is beautiful. She is enjoying the waters by surfing. Yep, this year's planner theme is surfing. The limited edition cover at the center is a catch, too. My 2016 BDJ Planner was an example. It's best for collectors and those who seek something unique. 

But I choose to get the leather version with the big words "Trust Your Heart to Overcome the Waves" printed on it.  I think it's important that I see those words everyday. To believe, to trust that everything is going to be alright.

My chosen cover for my BDJ 2017 planner

Yep, I'm so ready for next year!

I'm ready for 2017!  #BDJ2017 #bdjfair2016 #riseabovethewaves @bdjbuzz

A photo posted by Angel Mariel (@myangelmariel) on Oct 15, 2016 at 10:43pm PDT

So, after buying a planner, I took a look around the Fair.  The first sponsor booth that got me interested was Ked's, where you will be tasked to flat lay some shoes and post on Instagram. I got a PhP500 GC and a souvenir photo for it. Sweet!

To go for flashy glam or boyish girl? The first booth I visited today is here in Ked's #bdjfair2016 #riseabovethewaves #kedsxbdjfair2016 @kedsph

A photo posted by Angel Mariel (@myangelmariel) on Oct 15, 2016 at 10:39pm PDT

But the queue was long on the other booths and it was almost time for my first talk. I chose to attend the "Empower Yourself to Succeed" talk by Ms. Elmie Cadungog. Motivation is precisely what I need right now. (^_^)v

Ms. Elmie Cadungo on stage

 Here are the two best slides for me, the ones that truly tugged my heart. No caption needed.

After the first talk, I had the opportunity to check more activities around the Fair. The freedom wall was there and it's been my yearly tradition to write something on it...

How will you rise above the waves?

...just enjoy the journey!

Near the Freedom Wall was the Red Mango Booth. I had fun in the tossing game. Kuya and Ate cheered me on.

Tossing my favorite toppings ♥  #BellaLovesRedMango at #bdjfair2016 #riseabovethewaves

A photo posted by Angel Mariel (@myangelmariel) on Oct 16, 2016 at 12:49am PDT

 
I had a good stroke of luck at the Serenitea booth. Just by a centimeter and I could've won nothing. Wheee~

My wheel and my prize

I enjoyed another spin-a-wheel at the Mrs. Field's booth, where I won a cookie! The Kuya there was full of smiles and I think that's where my good luck came from. (^_^)

A cookie, yeah man!

Just beside the Mrs. Field's Booth is the Istorya workshop/booth. I was invited by the people there to turn my 2017 power word into a bracelet. Cool, right? I saw "Passion", "Happy", and "Fearless" among them. Without any second thoughts, I bought one, too. But I won't reveal my 2017 power word to you guys, just yet. It will be on a separate post.

Customized bracelets at the Istorya booth

"Happy"... I also want that

Oh... speaking of inspiration. The second talk that I chose to attend was "Embracing a Flawless Beauty " by Maxene Magalona.She talked about self-acceptance and moving on despite life's setbacks. I truly am grateful for the insights she shared and I'm glad that I attended her talk.

I learned from Maxene's talk that being flawless is not about being perfect. It is about embracing your flaws and working to correct it.  @maxenemagalona @bdjbuzz #BDJInspiresMe #bdjfair2016 #riseabovethewaves

A photo posted by Angel Mariel (@myangelmariel) on Oct 16, 2016 at 6:14am PDT

 

Self-acceptance is the beginning of being beautiful.

Then, it was time for me to go home. But it won't be complete without selfies with my friends, whom I met thanks to BDJ.

Selfie with my Bella sisters... it's been a while... :) #bdjfair2016 #riseabovethewaves

A photo posted by Angel Mariel (@myangelmariel) on Oct 16, 2016 at 5:36am PDT

 And oh.. this post does not end without a loot photo!

My BDJ Fair loot! From food to makeup to photos! (^_^)

My status is always "feeling blessed" with BDJ. They taught me to follow my dreams, inspire me to take on the world, and to enjoy life's ups and downs. All these and more to ensure that I rise above the waves this upcoming year. Bring it on, 2017!

Rock Bottom

Deeper and Deeper is the recent poem about my life. Yep, my poetic muse only comes when I'm sad, weird as it may seem. Hahaha~ Blogs for happy days and poems for melancholic ones. It's a very nice tandem, don't you think? An opposite of sorts. 

But what do you do when things don't go your way? Things just get worse. Circumstances are out of your control. You cannot make your dreams come true. Your friends are out there successful with their lives and here you are being a loser, with nothing to be proud of. So what is this stage of life? Oh, welcome to rock bottom!

Sometimes I think that the greater scheme of things are all in order, except me. I think I'm misplaced, feeling so vulnerable as I sink deeper and deeper to the uncontrollable tide of fate. At this point in time, it is difficult to be cheerful at all. (T_T)

But you know, things happen for a reason, they all say. In order to get out of rock bottom, you either don't stop climbing or somebody will help you... or both. Just so, I came upon a significant quote about rock bottom that encouraged me to keep calm and just continue on. 

I guess this stage of life is a requirement to get where you want to be. It's like a step on a ladder to your destination. A lot of people I admire also went through the toughest times before achieving the peak of glory, like Rain, or Nikola Tesla, or yes, JK Rowling. So I guess I can say, rock bottom is something all of us experience at some point in our lives. 

The trick is, just live it, experience it, and hope that eventually, you will get out of there. For me unfortunately, I don't know how long I would have to stay in my rock bottom. So for now, here's another quote I live by, also from one my favorite authors...

"Never give up. When your heart becomes tired, just walk with your legs --but move on"

-Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage

So, smile, dearies! (^_^)v

STGCC 2016 Toys

So far this year, I have not yet attended any convention about toys, gaming, cosplay, or anything else. My circumstances has turned me into a hermit, doing nothing but eat-sleep-work. Can I say I have turned into a zombie now? (T_T) I miss going to events, you know. Where can I buy time for it? Waaaa~

Fortunately, my ever supportive boyfie went to STGCC last weekend in Marina Bay Sands. He shared the photos he took with me. And I felt so alive at seeing nerdy stuff again! Yay~ Finally, a world where I belong! Uhm.. he only took photos of the toys, though. Sorry guys, he is not a blogger like me. :P No booths, cosplayers, guests. Hahaha... But they're all good just the same. So let me share them with you, too.

My favorite ones are the Star Wars toys. Yep~ I literally gasped for joy when I saw the cool figurines of the different aircrafts and the cute chibi toys and ~woah~ Rey on her speeder! Yep, Star Wars fan here! 

 

The X-Wing, The TIE Fighter, and the rest of the aircrafts

The Millennium Falcon stands out

C-3PO and Stormtroopers :D Cutie

Darth Vader and more Stormtroopers

Ooooh~

Rey on her Speeder

 Aside from Star Wars, I also like X-Men. I used to follow the animated series back in the 90's and I watched the movie franchises, too. Here is one of the STGCC X-Men diorama on display. This depicts the X-Men battling the Sentinel from XM Studios. It is 2x1x1.5 meters wide and features Colossus, Jubilee, Cable, Beast, Psylocke, and of course, the villain Sentinel.

The X-Men battling the Sentinel figurine...

...featuring Beast, Jubilee, and Colossus in this angle...

...and Cable...

...and Psylocke

So Star Wars and X-Men... but of course, there's Marvel, too. I only became a Marvel fan after the Captain America movies. *wink*Chris Evans* And I do believe that Marvel studios create great movies. Yippee~

I still can't get over Captain America: Civil War

Iron Man!

Mark 39 Iron Man suit

Pepper Potts in Iron Man costume

Black Panther and Iron Fist from Marvel Universe

The Sinister 6: Lizardman, Mysterio, and Vulture

Kraven at the center

Front view of Sandman and Electro

Hmmm... Wait, I wonder why there's no Captain America display... maybe boyfie missed it on purpose... :P

Those were great toys, but my boyfriend's favorites are the Nariko and Witchblade figurines. Yep, the craftsmanship are awesome. Look at all those details!

Nariko from the video game Heavenly Sword

Witchblade figurine

Witchblade figurine

Here are the other toys that he took photos of...

from Transformers

Jackie Estacado from The Darkness

Crow King from Bounties of Bathos

Seeing all this figurines has rejuvenated me again. I hope I will get more time in the future to attend cons like he has. I wish I can go to STGCC next year, too. It would be nice to see all these toys for real, don’t you think?

After everything, I realize that I need to power up my nerd influence from time to time. It is needed to keep yourself sane in this world. So, when is the next event?

Deeper and Deeper

Deeper and deeper,

I sink

To this rock bottom

of endless abyss.

 In the darkness,

my tears abound...

Of hopeless wails 

And painful cries

Not knowing when,

Not know how,

Not knowing if...

I can save myself.

The deeper I stay.

The deeper I sink.

This rock bottom.

This abyss.

 -Angel Mariel; Sept. 12, 2016

 

Oh My Gulay!

Veggies! So who among us get excited when we hear about veggies? Ugh~ Not me, honestly. I thought veggie dishes are bland and not delicious. But you know, our Baguio sojourn changed me in a lot of ways... and that includes converting me into a vegetable advocate. 

One of the travel blogs recommended Oh My Gulay as a place to eat. My family and I went out to look for it in Session Road. It turns out that it is not easily seen. Luckily, we asked one of the locals and she knew where it is. Yay! Oh My Gulay is located at the Penthouse of La Azotea Bldg along the stretch of Session Road. 

At the entrance, unique wooden sculptures greet the guests by the door. 

At the Oh My Gulay entrance

Going up the stairs are more sculptures and creative graffiti. And inside the restaurant is like a different world! Plants and paintings.. and water... and bridges. This place is like art museum, too!

A garden in the Penthouse

Paintings on display

I can't believe we're in a restaurant. And true to the name, Oh My Gulay serves nothing but veggies. Oh~ They have creative names, too. Heehee~

The creativity of the artists are also reflected on the menu.

My family and I ordered three dishes which were the bestsellers according to the waitress. While waiting, we enjoyed the city night skyline. This penthouse is just the perfect place to be!

Baguio's night skyline as seen from the restaurant

After some time, our dinner arrived. First up is Bandilang Pula. It's so called because of the red rice, I guess. The ingredients include veggies in season with tofu, egg omelette, and sesame seeds. Now this! Crispy veggies full of flavor you won't taste anywhere else in the metropolis.

Bandilang Pula

 
Next is Pancit Gulay ni Pepe. This, too, is exquisite. The noodles are, you know... not the instant kind. You can taste it's freshness which goes well with the veggies. Ours had young corn and broccoli.

Pancit Gulay ni Pepe

  
Third on the list is a version of the Italian pasta Puttanesca. Called "Anak ng Putanesca", it clearly stands out among the other creative names. Don't you agree? Hahaha~ This is my personal favorite. Have you ever eaten a dish where the tomatoes burst in your mouth while the cheese complements it? Yummy!

Anak ng Putanesca

The dishes at Oh My Gulay are outstandingly delicious and unforgettable. Lots of farms are near Baguio, so that explains why you get the freshest of ingredients. I thought chefs on TV were not serious when they reiterate that the freshness should be of utmost importance. I believe them now. Experiencing the crispiness and the burst of flavor made me a firm believer that veggies can be delicious, too! 

Oh My Gulay is a nice place in Baguio to eat. And surely, you will get a taste of what the highlands' flavors are like. Not only that, you will get to see the talents of the artists there, too. Oh My Gulay is definitely both a feast for the eyes and for the stomach!